Man City fans prove club right after idiotic FA Cup ticket criticism but this can’t be a one-off

In an unexpected sort of way, conceding an early goal in their FA Cup fourth-round tie was possibly the best thing that could have happened to Manchester City.

The ball had barely nestled in the back of Zack Steffen's net after leaving the left boot of Fulham's Fabio Carvalho when the City faithful burst into an unusually early song.

"We never win at home and we never win away" rang out around the Etihad Stadium, a typically self-deprecating City song often sang regardless of the score. However, it is not one usually heard during the early rounds of cup competitions, nor is the sound of thousands of fans singing in unison.

As is sadly to be expected, City were widely mocked for their decision to make tickets for their FA Cup fourth-round match against Fulham available at a cut-price on student website UNiDAYS.

For £15 Manchester-based students could watch arguably the best side in Europe take on the runaway Championship leaders, a spectacle that didn't disappoint with three goals scored inside the opening 13 minutes. But the price reductions didn't end there.

Adult tickets for the match were also available for £15, with concession prices starting at £10 and kids getting through the gates for just £1. As one City fan on Twitter said - in typical tongue in cheek fashion - it was an exceptionally affordable day out.

All tickets for the match sold out on January 29, a whole week before the Cottagers travelled up from west London. In this case, sold out actually means sold out.

City often don't open the third tiers of the Colin Bell Stand and the East Stand for early round cup fixtures against non-Premier League opposition, but on Saturday the Etihad Stadium was just as full as it is when the likes of Manchester United