A spirited second half effort against the 'best team in Europe' was not enough to earn anything more than a well done to Cardiff City after a 2 - 0 home defeat to Manchester City.
Kevin De Bruyne's cheeky (class) free kick (pictured) gave the visitors the lead before the smallest man on the pitch, Raheem Sterling, headed the second and killer goal.
Junior Hoilett's effort stung Claudio Brava's hands and almost saw a Cardiff goal before the break. It was the closest City came and even with an improved effort in the second half it was the best chance of the match for Cardiff.
Ken Zohore rifled a shot inches over but Cardiff were left rueing not taking the game to the Premier League giants. Man City strolled for much of the game and while Cardiff came away with their heads held high they might just be a tad disappointed they didn't give it more of a go.
Joe Bennett was sent off in injury time for a second yellow card and misses the trip to Leeds next week.
Bennett could have received a straight red in the first half for a challenge that took Leroy Sane out of the game. Sane's replacement, Sergio Aguero, did little in the second half but the game was won already.
That said Neil Etheridge made more saves in the second half than the first.
So City move on to more important matters, a trip to Leeds United. The cup attention was great. We made the news, hosted a massive club who employ players who probably earn more a week than our whole squad and we hosted a record domestic crowd for a Cardiff City match.