Nathan Ake’s dramatic 88th minute winner – the first goal City have ever scored at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – came courtesy from a well worked direct set-piece.
Kevin De Bruyne’s precise in-swinging corner caused Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario no end of problems as he was challenged at the near post by Ruben Dias.
From the ensuring scramble, Nathan Ake had the wherewithal to steer the ball over the line from close range and so seal City’s passage through to Sunday’s fifth-round draw.
It’s not the first time City have derived joy from well practised set-piece routines.
And as he reflected on what was a momentous result and magnificent all-round display, Walker revealed how City had spent time both at last week’s warm weather camp in Abu Dhabi and on their return to Manchester drilling down on meticulous set-piece routines.
“We’ve worked on set-pieces this week and we’ve been working hard - in Abu Dhabi and in Manchester,” the City skipper divulged.
“It’s something we worked on and thought it was an area where we could exploit.
“It’s paid off - full credit to the set-piece coach who works hard and spends hours and hours watching videos.
“We just have to execute the plan.
“We’ve got a job - if we have to win games like that, we don’t mind, as long as we come away with the victory.
“That’s the most important thing for the club, the players and the fans.”
Friday’s win was City’s seventh success in a row with Pep Guardiola’s side up to second in the Premier League, and now through to the last 16 of both the FA Cup and Champions League.
It’s already prompted talk of a potential back-to-back Treble following in the wake of last season’s historic achievement.
For his part Walker says the desire and hunger which epitomises Guardiola’s squad is burning just as brightly looking ahead to the rest of the season.
“We have to believe and we are in this together,” the full-back declared.
“The expectations for us as a team have gone massively up. We have to take it as a compliment. If we’re in all competitions, we can fight for it.
“We’re still fighting on all fronts - you can still see the hunger, not from just the players but the fans as well.
“We’re wearing that famous gold badge which means we are the best team in the world.
“There’s a long way to go and there’s a lot of football to be played.
“We need to make sure that we are there fighting as a team and as a collective - the players, the staff and the fans.”
