The Carabao Cup final welcomed the largest gathering of supporters since the coronavirus pandemic hit last year as 8,000 fans descended on Wembley to watch Manchester City take on Tottenham.

There were 4,000 spectators in for last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final between Leicester and Southampton, but the Government pilot scheme went up a notch for Sunday’s showpiece game.

Each club had 2,000 fans in attendance, with 4,000 tickets handed to NHS staff and Wembley residents.

Fans from both sides milled about on Wembley Way before the kick-off, with London bathed in sunshine.

Everyone in the stadium had to present a negative Covid-19 test result, while the City fans had to travel in official club transport.

Spurs fans, who used to make the journey to the national stadium every other week for home games when their new ground was being built, were housed in the east end of Wembley.

They were particularly happy as star man Harry Kane was named in the starting line-up after he won a fitness race following an ankle injury, while Kevin De Bruyne was fit to start for City.

Should the event pass without problem, there are due to be 21,000 fans at next month’s FA Cup final between Chelsea and Leicester.