Manchester City fan runs onto pitch carrying young child to celebrate Yaya Toure's winning goal over Crystal Palace

The fan ran onto the Selhurst Park pitch carrying a young girl to revel in City's late victory

Jack de Menezes
Sunday 20 November 2016 08:37 EST
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(Reuters)

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Yaya Toure announced his dramatic return to the Manchester City side in style as his two goals secured a late 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace and sparked wild celebrations among the away fans at Selhurst Park in what proved to be unbelievable scenes.

That’s not because Toure scored twice despite being exiled from the first team by manager Pep Guardiola, but because one City fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate while carrying a young girl believed to be his daughter.

The bizarre sight was witnessed after Toure scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute to seal a 2-1 victory for City that elevates them to second in the Premier League table ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Middlesbrough on Sunday afternoon.

A number of City fans rushed over the advertising hoardings that surround the Selhurst Park pitch, with stewards attempting to try and keep them away from the celebrating City squad. However, they looked flummoxed when a man ran on while carrying the young girl to join in the celebrations, and didn’t know whether to grab him or leave him to revel in the late drama.

Eventually, stewards were able to regain control as the City fans were shepherded back into the stands and the advertising board restored to its upright position, but a number of football fans spotted the strange scenario while watching the highlights of the match.

Pictures soon emerged to confirm what everyone thought they had seen, but while the sight of a man running onto the pitch with his daughter is one of great comedy value, it could well end up with City taking action against him. Fans are banned from trespassing on the pitch and those found guilty are usually hit with a stadium ban that can last a number of years – and sometimes even span a lifetime if the club deem the individual a repeated offender.

A man carries what appears to be his daughter onto the pitch to celebrate City's winning goal
A man carries what appears to be his daughter onto the pitch to celebrate City's winning goal (Reuters)
The fan was allowed to stay on the pitch as stewards didn't know what to do
The fan was allowed to stay on the pitch as stewards didn't know what to do (AP)
The City fan could now face a stadium ban after trespassing on the pitch
The City fan could now face a stadium ban after trespassing on the pitch (AP)

Some social media users were quick to joke though that the young girl was now also facing a stadium ban, despite having no control over her venture out onto the pitch.

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