STONES EARNS STAR BILLING

HIS MEASURED PERFORMANCES KEEP CITY PURRING

- GEORGE SMITH

THE FA Cup final was 48 minutes old when John Stones injected fresh energy into the sea of blue that was gathered at the west end of Wembley Stadium.

The City defender, after receiving a short pass from goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, was quickly closed down by four United players and it looked as though there would be no way out for the Barnsley Beckenbauer, as he is sometimes known.

Somehow, though, he managed to swivel away from any potential danger without breaking sweat.

Being closed down by Marcus Rashford, Stones turned right on the very edge of his own box, strode past Christian Eriksen as though he wasn't there and played a composed pass out to Kyle Walker, who was stationed on the right touchline. From a potentially awkward situation, Stones played his and City's way out with ease.

The most impressive part of that scenario, however, was that Stones had dropped deep from the defensive-midfield position to get on the ball. Unlike in recent weeks, where he has started at right back and moved into midfield when City have the ball, Stones started as an outand-out defensive-midfielder, partnering Rodri at the base of the engine room.