Illustrative of the chasm between the sides, Manchester City brought on Kevin De Bruyne to try and win tonight's League Cup clash with Wolves. The latter turned to a 19-year-old Irish youth international: Connor Ronan.
Ronan hails from Rochdale but switched allegiance to the Republic of Ireland after playing for England's under-17s, and has made played for Ireland at under-19 level, and has been part of under-21 squads, too.
Ronan replaced Ben Marshall after 72 minutes, and impressed. He was agonisingly close to setting up a late, late winner deep into extra-time, but the game ultimately finished 0-0 AET, and was settled by penalties.
Ronan impressed those watching on, part of a largely heroic Wolves performance:
Not a bad moment for @ConnorRonan10. Enjoy it pal. Plenty more big games to come for you 👍#wwfc 🐺 pic.twitter.com/Sq9NEtLhh4
— Nathan Judah (@NathanJudah) October 24, 2017
Only flicked on for ET but Connor Ronan looks like a genuine prospect for ROI. Been very composed & adventurous on the ball.
— Stephen Smith (@GisGoos12) October 24, 2017
Connor ronan definitely showed some potential
Man city vs wolves 👏— Anass Abidi (@anass_abidi) October 24, 2017
Keep your head up bro! Different class when you came on @ConnorRonan10 🔥🙌🏻👏🏻 #OneToWatch #BigThings
— AC (@andycannon96) October 24, 2017
City ultimately won out on penalties, however, thanks to Claudio Bravo, who saved two of the Wolves penalty. Sergio Aguero ended the shootout with this audacious chip:
