Scott Carson, the veteran West Cumbrian goalkeeper, turned the clock back last night for Manchester City in their 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon.
Carson, 36, came on 20 minutes from the end of the Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium and made one particularly good stop to deny the Portuguese side a consolation goal.
City had won the first leg in Lisbon by 5-0 so took the opportunity of blooding several Academy graduates while Carson was back-up to Brazilian star Ederson.
When he got the nod 20 minutes from the end it marked his first Champions League appearance for 17 years, when he had been selected by Liverpool to play against Juventus in a quarter final tie.
Carson, who hails from Cleator Moor, had impressed former Workington manager, the late Peter Hampton, when he appeared for the Reds in an FA Youth Cup-tie. Hampton, a former Leeds United professional, recommended him to the Elland Road club and he joined them in 2002.
He made his senior debut in January 2004 and played three times in the League side before being sold to Liverpool in the summer for £750,000.
At Anfield he was mainly number two to Pepe Reina and although he did play against Juventus was an unused substitute in the 2005 final,
He had loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Aston Villa while at Liverpool. During his 36-game stint at Charlton he was the first, and subsequently only, loan player to be voted Player of the Season.
Since 2008 he has clocked up appearances for West Bromwich Albion, Bursaspor in Turkey, Wigan Athletic and Derby, as well as earning four full England international caps. He has played over 400 senior games in English football.
City manager Pep Guardiola says: “Scott is an important member of our squad, very popular with the players and the staff. We were pleased to get him permanently after we first had him on loan.”
