Zabaleta Bids Farewell To Etihad Stadium

Gabriel Jesus, Kelvin De Bruyne and Yaya Toure all scored to give City an emphatic win that honoured Pablo Zabaleta's big send-off as the fans at the Etihad stadium shifted attention to the Argentine defended who was leaving at the end of the season. The 32-year-old Argentina defender who made his 117th and final premier league appearance at the Etihad Stadium, spent nine years with City and during this period, he had won at least every domestic Trophy in England. Though Zabaleta started from the bench, fans of Manchester United could not hold their feelings back for him, as they sang his name from kick-off, they gave him his first standing ovation of the night in the first half and when he started warming up, the fans exploded. He got a standing ovation from the home fans again when he replaced David Silva, and was  cheered every time he touched the ball. Zabaleta ended the game wearing the captain's armband after Vincent Kompany was substituted and though West Brom threatened to ruin his night by making efforts to equalize, but all was in vain. He made an emotional farewell speech at the end of the match during which he was joined on the pitch by his wife and young son, he was given a guard of honour by his team-mates as he and his family departed down the tunnel.