Pep Guardiola got what he wanted from Man City fans - but ticket anger won't go away

'Raise the roof', reads the sign at the top of the soon-to-be expanded North Stand at the Etihad. 'Something special is coming soon,' it continues, as the cranes shooting into Manchester's night sky behind it signal.

That 8,000-capacity increase is one of the many sources of anger from City supporters at the moment, and part of the reason they once again protested before kick-off in their biggest Premier League game of the season ahead of Aston Villa's visit.

By full-time, it was that sign that looked prophetic. Something special had been coming and when Matheus Nunes' slotted home a 94th-minute winner, the roof briefly threatened to come off this place.

It was a night - and particularly a second half - when City's fans responded to Pep Guardiola's demands. The decibel level rose as the key moment of the season came into view, and the rewards were glorious. Another campaign in the Champions League is now within touching distance.

But when the thrill of a last-minute winner fades, those issues that have blighted relations between fans the club they love will continue to occupy minds. It's a strained relationship and it's showing no signs of improving.

And as a juxtaposition, it worked pretty well. As hundreds of City fans protested against a range of ticket issues outside the Etihad, a steady stream of first-time visitors posed for pictures outside the front of the stadium.

It summed up one of the more immediate issues, which is the pricing out of many local supporters, and especially families. As a leaflet handed out by protesting supporters detailed, the cheapest matchday ticket for the fixture with Aston Villa started at £71 for adults and £42 for children.

For a family of four to attend, it was at least £226, before