‘Finally, it’s an incredible achievement’ – Vincent Kompany after Manchester

But that is exactly the scenario awaiting the Premier League leaders as they travel to Sevilla in Group D on Tuesday and coach Manuel Pellegrini is demanding a win despite knowing full well how intimidating the Sanchez Pizjuan can be. When we played there we played well against them and had a lot of chances, and I think we pushed them quite far.

“It’s an incredible achievement to have qualified with two games still to go”, said Kompany.

After a few of their past struggles in the competition, the result could herald a breakthrough for City and Hart feels they have set a standard they must maintain.

City’s tactics in Europe have often appeared too naive, their performances too immature and indisciplined, but they were none of those things against Sevilla. We’ve been unlucky in the draws before so we need to make sure we reach the first spot now. Having been reported last month for booing the Champions League anthem before their home clash with Sevilla, the City faithful were more bullish than ever in expressing their disdain for European football’s governing body.

But instead of Sevilla drawing level, City restored a two-goal lead when Jesus Navas, against his former club, found the unmarked Bony who made his first Champions League goal look simple by nearly passing the ball into the corner of the net.

Now, this tornado of hooliganism has sucked in Manchester City as Sevilla fans reportedly targeted visiting fans as they were in Seville for today’s Sevilla/Manchester City game. “The set-up is not as desperate, but if you speak to our fans, as much pain as we put them through, they enjoy the ride, and I enjoy the ride as well”.

The Ivory Coast global said: “I’m trying everything to score goals but they did not go in for me on Saturday”. “Our team has quality, but we haven’t proved it and that’s why we lost the game”.

“We managed to play a very good game there and limit their strengths”. I changed the system because I was not happy in the way were were playing against United and Norwich – it was not the team we normally see. “Their ability here was greater, but I have nothing to reproach my team for”, he said. Without playing really well in the Premier League we’re top, and we’re top of our group now’.