A second-half header from Fabian Delph has earned Manchester City a 1-0 victory over Steaua Bucuresti to secure their place in the group stages of the Champions League.
In a lacklustre game devoid of chances, Delph's goal proved the difference on a night where the City supporters bid farewell to Joe Hart, who is likely to leave the club before the end of the transfer window.
Having recorded a 5-0 victory in Romania last week, City were only required to go through the motions in order to achieve their place among European football's elite, but boss Pep Guardiola would have been unhappy with their performance during the opening 45 minutes.
While Steaua were happy to sit back and ensure that they were not on the receiving end of a similar scoreline to the first leg, City lacked a cutting edge in attack and only a low drive from Kelechi Iheanacho came close to opening the scoring during the first quarter.
Nolito also volleyed straight at goalkeeper Valentin Cojocaru after being found by Jesus Navas, but the most entertaining moments of the half came when Hart received the ball.
The goalkeeper's every touch was cheered by the home crowd and although he was not required to make a save before half time, it was clear that the club's supporters would prefer to see him remain in the North-West.
It was much of the same after the restart before Delph hit the ball straight at Cojocaru after being set up by Iheanacho, but the midfielder did not have to wait long to put his side ahead on the night.
After Iheanacho had teed up Navas on the right flank, the Spaniard whipped in a fine cross for Delph to direct a glancing header into the bottom corner from six yards.
The goal resulted in Guardiola giving Tosin Adarabioyo and Angelino over half an hour to make an impression but it was Bucuresti who came closest to a goal during the following 20 minutes as they finally posed a threat going forward.
After Hart had tipped over a free kick, he was forced to get in the way of a close-range effort from Alexandru Tudorie after he had been found in space at the back post.
That would prove to be the final opportunity for either team but City were content to slow down the tempo during the closing stages ahead of their Premier League meeting with West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
Darren Plant
