Fabian Delph's second-half header sent Manchester City marching into the Champions League on a night when the Etihad fans said farewell to Joe Hart.
The midfielder rose to nod home Jesus Navas' cross from close-range to complete a comfortable play-off passage past Steaua Bucharest.
But all eyes were on Hart, the goalkeeper that Pep Guardiola is set to replace as his No 1 following the arrival of £17million Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.
Guardiola handed the England keeper his first start of the season as well as the captain's armband and City's fans cheered Hart's every touch.