IT may have been the most prestigious men's game Nicole Petignat has ever been appointed to but, for Europe's most successful female referee, it was also the easiest - between two totally mismatched teams.

The 41-year-old blonde pony-tailed medical masseuse from Switzerland is the first woman to take charge of a Premier League team in a competitive match - and she never put a foot wrong as, basically, there was not much to do.

City did after all qualify for the UEFA Cup through the Fair Play League and, as for EB/Streymur, they knew from the off they were just there to make up the numbers.

Petignat, who normally officiates in the Swiss League, didn't have to give any decisions until she awarded a foul on 15 minutes.

There was a little flurry of fouls before the interval and a ridiculous penalty appeal, which she ignored, from Streymur shortly after the break.

None of the fouls she gave or indeed the booking of the Blues' Michael Johnson were challenged, which is always a sign that she was right.

Her positioning was exemplary and communication skills, either through hand gestures or banter with the players, helped maintain a fair tempo to a disappointing game.