Football means a lot to us as we all know.

But, as in life, sometimes the lighter side of the beautiful game comes along and means you just can’t resist a smile or two.

City fans, of course, are rightly renowned for their wit and good humour.

So, for the latest instalment of #City30 presented by Nexen, when we asked what was your funniest moment on the pitch during the Pep Guardiola and Nick Cushing eras there was no shortage of responses.

CITYZENS AT HOME

There was understandably a lot of love for Oleksandr Zinchenko’s 2018 Premier League trophy mishap during our prize giving at the Etihad, when our Ukrainian international accidentally sent the silverware tumbling off its plinth during the squad’s celebrations.

But, in the final reckoning, the plaudits went to some animal magic rustled up by a furry pitch invader who sent the City fans nuts by gate-crashing the Etihad back in October 2017.

The occasion was City’s Carabao Cup fourth round clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

PITCH INVASION: The squirrel takes centre stage at the Etihad
PITCH INVASION: The squirrel takes centre stage at the Etihad

With the teams going through their final pre-match warm-ups, an unexpected guest decided to take centre stage.

Players and fans alike were utterly bemused to see a squirrel decided to get in on the action by boldly bounding out onto the pitch.

Quite where he had popped up from, no-one knows, but the rodent certainly lapped up its moment in the spotlight.

DAVID SILVA: Made in Gran Canaria

The furry critter became the talk of the Etihad thanks to its madcap antics and the visitor gave the City groundsmen a real run for their money for almost 10 minutes as he evaded the attentions of a number of attempts to try and scoop him up.

And when he was eventually captured, the squirrel proceeded to give one unlucky groundsman a nip for his trouble before wriggling free once more!

The City staff continued their pursuits of the rodent around the pitch for a few more minutes.

END GAME: The squirrel's Etihad invasion is finally safely ended
END GAME: The squirrel's Etihad invasion is finally safely ended

Eventually, City’s patient ground staff ended the uninvited guest’s solo spot by first ushering the animal to the side of the pitch before managing to scoop him up and take him to safety.

PS: For the record, City overcame Wolves 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out after the sides had fought out a goalless draw over 90 minutes and extra time.

Wednesday’s topic: Best signing...

There’s been no shortage of inspirational signings during Pep and Nick’s respective tenures.

And for the next topic of our #City30 marathon, we want to know who from our post 2016 signings has really captured your imagination during Guardiola and Cushing’s time in charge.

As ever, let us know your thoughts on Twitter @ManCity using #City30.