Tim Cahill _320

After all, it was Cahill’s menacing presence and determination to chase a hopeful long ball that forced Richard Dunne to concede the injury time corner that brought him his reward.

It epitomised the stamina and staying power of the current squad, whose recent points tally has been boosted by four wins that have come courtesy of goals in the final 10 minutes.

Which is why there was a certain inevitability when Osman jogged towards the corner, where many players might have been tempted to ensure that was exactly where the ball stayed for what little time was remaining.

But just like Kirsty MacColl and the Pogues at this time of year, Cahill is always likely to pop up at any moment when you most expect it.

The home defending was as hopeless as their subsequent appeals for a penalty for handball against Joseph Yobo in their frantic last fight for an equaliser, the basics of keeping a man on the post for a corner somehow eluding them when it mattered most. Cahill took full advantage and City – like the corner flag bracing itself for the celebration when the ball hit the net – had to accept they were beaten.