Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Manchester City geared up for Sunday’s crunch clash with Chelsea - both on and off the pitch - with a successful test event at the Etihad, report the Manchester Evening News.

Thousands of Blues fans got to see the players being put through their paces ahead of the crucial showdown with the champions.

And they also became the first of the club’s supporters to see the newly-expanded stadium up close and personal.

The Blues’ home has undergone a huge redevelopment over the past year with a new tier being added to the South stand.

And in order that it can be opened to its new capacity of 55,000, the Etihad had to hold a test event to obtain safety certificate.

An estimated 5,000 fans turned out for an open training session featuring both the men’s and women’s teams.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

The club announced tonight that the event was a success and they have been granted a safety certificate meaning they have now released tickets to supporters that were on the waiting list for the Chelsea game.

Sunday will now see them break their attendance record at the ground with the Etihad becoming the third biggest club ground in the country.

And there was a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation amongst the fans, after Monday’s comprehensive 3-0 win over West Brom.

Stars such as Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Toure and new signing Raheem Sterling got a rapturous reception as they were introduced and put through a range of drills.

Many of those likely to be involved in Sunday’s game left the session early with the rest taking part in a seven-a-side game.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

(Image: Manchester City FC/Press Association Images)

Earlier there was a session from the City women’s team before a staged half-time break and a controlled evacuation at the end of the event, to test safety procedures.

And fans were left impressed by what they saw both on the pitch and in the stands.

Gill Aldred, 42, from Altrincham took her eight year-old son Harry who will be at Sunday’s game with his dad Marc, 38.

She said: “We were really impressed. We didn’t realise how big and how steep it was.

“But it’s amazing and the views are fantastic.

“It’s pretty overwhelming to be honest.

“We came on a tour a few months ago and to see the transformation to now is pretty remarkable.”

(Image: Manchester City FC/Press Association Images)

Liam Harper, 25, from Dunsop Bridge in Lancashire said: “My season ticket is in the East Stand but I wanted the chance to see what it looked like.

“The new facilities are great and it was great to see the lads looking sharp for Chelsea.”

New signing Sterling told the fans: “Thanks for coming out - I’ll see you all on Sunday.”

All the proceeds from the sale of tickets, which cost £3, will go to the Blues’ charity arm, City in the Community, with around £15,000 being raised for its disability project.