Prankster gatecrashes Manchester City's pre-match warm up at Everton

Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini controls the ball as Everton Manager David Moyes looks on (Getty Images)

A prankster was arrested after going on the pitch to warm up with Manchester City's multi-million squad before kick-off today.

The 35-year-old was soon spotted and escorted from the pitch by stewards ahead of City's Barclays Premier League game at Everton.

The prankster, from London and dressed in City's away kit, stretched and limbered up during the warm-up - to bemused looks from City's team of internationals.

He was then taken off the Goodison Park pitch by stewards and handed over to police officers.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that a 35-year-old from London was arrested before the Everton v Manchester City game this afternoon.

"A man was arrested on suspicion of pitch encroachment after he went on to the pitch.

"He has been taken to a police station where he will be interviewed."

Play was held up in the corresponding fixture between the two sides last season when a man ran onto the field and handcuffed himself to a goalpost.

The man had been protesting about Ryanair's recruitment policy after his daughter was denied a job by the airline.

Everton won today's game 2-0.