Manchester City’s players were faced with an awkward situation at Burnley on Tuesday as the lights in their dressing room malfunctioned, leaving them in the dark.
Pep Guardiola’s side switched on the lights on their phones to provide some illumination, and then began to sing the club anthem ‘Wonderwall’, originally sung by renowned City fans Oasis.
It was actually new Premier League broadcaster Amazon who initially came to the rescue as the defending champions battled the unusual issue before the game, with studio lighting being provided which meant the players didn't have to change in total darkness.
Nevertheless, the squad got into the spirit of the occasion by making do and belting out the Oasis classic, which the players have been filmed singing in past seasons too.
Even if City, who went into the game 11 points behind Liverpool in the race for the Premier League crown, have had difficulties this season, there were no signs of the problems that they had experienced when they got onto the pitch to face Burnley.
Gabriel Jesus gave them the lead midway through the first half then added a second shortly after the restart. Rodri and Riyad Mahrez then notched further strikes for Guardiola’s men, with Robbie Brady delivering a late consolation for the hosts in a 4-1 victory for the Sky Blues.
It was strong preparation of Saturday’s Manchester derby against United at the Etihad Stadium, in which City will seek to reassert themselves as the pre-eminent force locally.
City face a critical run of league fixtures, with Arsenal and Leicester City to follow in the lead up to Christmas. Additionally, there is a Champions League match away to Dinamo Zagreb and a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Oxford on successive Wednesdays.
Even this early in the season, they can barely afford another stumble if they are to regain their title, such is the manner in which Liverpool have started the campaign, chalking up 13 wins from 14 fixtures.
Victory on Saturday will surely see another powerful rendition of Wonderwall from both the City fans and players, though it was in the dark dressing room at Burnley where the latest chapter of the song’s remarkable love story with the club was written.