Who said that FA Cup could no longer provide fireworks?
Manchester City have taken part in more domestic cup ties than just about any other club in recent seasons, with the club having a tendency to draw lower league clubs. Despite this, we're sure they wouldn't have come across anything like this before.
Pep Guardiola's side travelled to Cheltenham this evening for an FA Cup game, a huge occasion for the League Two club. Of course, they would have none of their supporters inside the ground due to current public health guidelines.
That didn't stop the Cheltenham diehards from being heard. Somebody just outside the The Jonny-Rocks Stadium started to let off a number of fireworks, with some of the embers falling on the pitch.
As a result, referee Stuart Atwell brought both sets of players off the pitch for their own safety.
Referee Stuart Atwell takes Cheltenham and Man City players off the pitch due to a firework display just outside of Whaddon Road! 🎇#FACup pic.twitter.com/gR5ydPmFPk
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) January 23, 2021
We've got a break just before halftime as ... fireworks?? are being set off just outside the stadium.
Not many can say they thought Manchester City (@ManCity) vs Cheltenham (@CTFCofficial) would have brought the fireworks. pic.twitter.com/pVSWbhGWhW— Wesley Brown (@W_Brown21) January 23, 2021
Play has stopped here at Cheltenham
Stuart Attwell has brought the players over to the dugout. #CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/SQ0ZL9Q2zx— Declan McCarthy (@dec11mcc) January 23, 2021
The play would be stopped for a few minutes as the fireworks continued before the players were allowed return to the pitch.
Cheltenham managed to keep the Premier League side scoreless in the opening half, meaning the jokes pretty much wrote themselves.
Ranking the displays this afternoon so far:
1. Fireworks
2. Cheltenham Town
3. Manchester City— David Mooney (@DavidMooney) January 23, 2021
Cheltenham would actually take the lead in the game during the second half, scoring after a long-range throw-in.
Cheltenham take the lead against Manchester City after doing their best Rory Delap impression 👀 #FACuppic.twitter.com/XuOfq65VBw
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) January 23, 2021
They would hold this lead until the final ten minutes, but City would hit the home side with three quick-fire goals from Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden, and Ferran Torres to secure a 3-1 victory.
Here's hoping for plenty more fireworks of a different kind during the remaining FA Cup ties this weekend.
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