Last-minute winners — Scott Skinner

On the final day of the 2011-12 season Manchester City’s title dreams were turning into a nightmare. But Sergio Agüero had other ideas

With four minutes to go in the 2011/12 season Manchester City’s manager Roberto Mancini crouched on the edge of his technical area, left hand over his mouth in disbelief. What had meant to be a celebration had turned into a nightmare. He ran his hands through his hair, exasperated and helpless. As the seconds ticked on City needed two goals to rescue the title – a title they had waited 44 years to lift.

Cityitus

The last time Man City had held aloft the Championship trophy was in 1968: Louis Armstrong was at number one with What A Wonderful World, one million people were marching through the streets of Paris in anti-government protests and Stanley Kubrick was preparing to wow audiences with 2001: A Space Odyssey.

In the intervening years a joke had developed around Man City – a joke that revolved around the word ‘Cityitis’ — a phrase coined by former player and manager Joe Royle to describe how City could always find a way of snatching despair from the jaws of joy. If a situation could possibly go wrong, Man City would find a way to make sure it did. Well, this dose of Cityitis was proving particularly chronic and painful.

“ If a situation could possibly go wrong, Man City would find a way to make sure it did”

Despite being on the same points as rivals Man Utd, City’s superior goal difference meant they went into the game needing simply to match United’s result against Sunderland to take the title.

An expectant City crowd filled the City of Manchester Stadium ready for a long overdue title party — surely QPR would not stand in their way? But there was no early goal to settle the nerves and when Wayne Rooney put United 1-0 at the Stadium of Light a hush descended over the Etihad. City had all the possession but were struggling to carve out a clear cut chance.

For their part, QPR knew they could still be relegated if Bolton managed a win at Stoke and were desperate to get something from the game.

“An expectant City crowd filled the City of Manchester Stadium ready for a long overdue title party — surely QPR would not stand in their way?”

But in 39 minutes an unsung hero stepped forward to centre stage. Pablo Zabaleta, City’s dependable, underrated right back had drifted into the QPR box only to find the ball at his feet. His rasping shot was parried into the roof of the net by goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and the Etihad erupted in a mixture of joy and relief.

But the second half was only a few minutes old before City manage to once more slip their head in the noose. Joleon Lescott misjudged the flight of a harmless high ball and his back header ran into the path of QPR’s striker Djibril Cissé who took the chance first time volleying the ball past a helpless Joe Hart. Man Utd shifted back into pole position for the title.

Bad to worse

Just as ripples of discontent and concern spread throughout the home crowd, City were given a helping hand from an unlikely source — or should that be elbow? Former City midfielder and QPR captain Joey Barton found himself in an off-the-ball tangle with Carlos Tevez and the Argentine striker was left writhing on the ground.

The red mist had descended on the combustable midfielder and, unfortunately for him, his sly tussle with Tevez had been spotted by the linesman. Barton was sent off and then lost his mind, kicking out at Sergio Agüero, trying to headbutt Vincent Kompany and even picking a fight with City substitute Mario Balotelli.

So, City were a man up but still needed another goal. But it seemed the nerves of the day had affected a number of players — choked by the weight of expectation. This wasn’t the free flowing, high scoring side that had clawed back eight points with just six games to go to edge ahead of Man Utd on goal difference going into the final day.

Then QPR’s Armand Traoré found himself in space on the left wing and swung in cross to the back post. Jamie Mackie hurled his body at the ball and his diving header crashed into the net. 2-1 QPR. How very Manchester City. Shock, disbelief and despair filled the ground as the minutes ran out.

“Jamie Mackie hurled his body at the ball and his diving header crashed into the net. 2-1 QPR. How very Manchester City”

Balotelli was sent into the mix and City kept pushing forward looking for a goal — but needing two. Five minutes injury time flashed up on the board. Some City fans had seen enough, some leaving in tears.

But on 92 minutes Edin Džeko nodded home the equaliser from a corner – City had a lifeline. But time was running out fast. Over at the Stadium of Light the game had finished. Man Utd had won 1-0 and the United players looked at each other, waiting for United’s 20th title win to be confirmed.

Remedy

As the game and the season ticked into the last minute, Agüero, Man City’s stocky Argentine striker collected the ball some 35 yards outside the box. He picked out Balotelli on the edge of the QPR box who swivelled and despite being knocked off balance managed to slip the ball back into the path of the advancing Argentine. With one touch to evade his man Agüero smacked the ball past Kenny into the QPR net and bedlam ensued.

The diminutive Argentine twirled his strips around his head, Joe Hart did a Superman celebration, Mancini embraced his background staff and the Etihad crowd exploded in joy. Somewhere in Sunderland the penny dropped. And a nasty case of Cityitis was finally cured.

“With one touch to evade his man Agüero smacked the ball past Kenny into the QPR net. Bedlam ensued
”