WHITE-HOT ROD LIFTS MAN IN BLACK

Spaniard's strike lands Guardiola his holy grail

-  JEREMY CROSS

IT WAS the moment the man dressed in all black had waited so long for.

And this time it was no European wake for Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City stars.

Just one moment of incomparable emotion as Guardiola and his squad finally took their places on the throne reserved for the kings of European football.

And how good it will feel.

The final whistle in Istanbul saw the culmination of the most expensive project ever assembled in club football.

Looking on from the posh seats of the Ataturk Stadium was the man who made it all possible in the shape of owner Sheikh Mansour.

He has lavished more than £1.5bn on assembling some of the biggest names on the planet in the blue half of Manchester.

And following years of heartbreak in Europe, this current side under the leadership of Guardiola finally reached its Holy Grail.

Mansour smiled from the stands, knowing the fruits of his fortune had secured the ultimate victory.