Manchester City vs. Manchester United {The Greatest Match EVER}
The Final Frontier – The Day Manchester City
City dominated most of the season, only to slip away in the final quarter. Then came the greatest gift - United threw away 8-point advantage in a totally uncharacteristic way.
So here we're on the last day of English Premier League on Mother's Day (13th May 2012) - Equation is simple - City to beat QPR and lift the coveted trophy for the first time in 44 years. Actually it was simpler than simple - here's why
So here we're on the last day of English Premier League on Mother's Day (13th May 2012) - Equation is simple - City to beat QPR and lift the coveted trophy for the first time in 44 years. Actually it was simpler than simple - here's why
Coming into the match City had won 22 of 23 matches & drawn the other at Etihad - Etihad was fortress unbreached -- And QPR, a bottom-4 team had lost 6 matches on the trot away from home. And City had beaten {not even dropped a point} to any of the bottom-9 teams this season.
So odds of QPR capsizing the City ship were higher than Titanic had 100 years ago - but didn't Titanic sink - Well not so fast - let the games begin.
Sport is not mathematical - it is no science - History doesn't count for much in these crunch moments - on the Final Day - The Big Day.
United start patchily at Sunderland , playing away, they need to win to have any chance whatsoever of winning the title.
The Match Begins
United's usual suspect Rooney scores in the 20th minute & the news gets dispatched from the Stadium of Light at lightning pace & falls at Etihad & on Mancini's well groomed head. Mancini & team's nerve become palpable.
At the fag end of the first 45, City's Zabaletta scores his first goal of the season & firms City's grip on the Cup. United & City pour into the tunnel at half-time with the slenderest of the leads. 1-0.
Equation is still simple - it may be simpler now that City has the lead. Joe Hart has conceded only once in last 5 matches. Keeping QPR at bay doesn't sound daunting at all.
Second half kicks off -
Just to remind you QPR's manager, Mark Hughes, was unceremoniously sacked to make way for Roberto Mancini in 2009 - so he has few scores to settle. Bolton, the other relegation threatened team now leads 2-1 against Stoke City
Normalcy takes a back seat & drama arrives with a bang. It is the 48 minute - out of nowhere Lescott makes a blunder, miscues a header, which sends Cisse clear with only Joe Hart to beat. Cisse smashes the balls in the back of the net & sets the cat amongst the pigeons. 1-1 - Game on
The news travels back to Sunderland 's Stadium of Light even quicker - United fans go delirious - ecstatic beyond belief - They can feel their fingers on the title for the 20th time. But it is still a long way away.
United is unable to add to 1-0 scoreline but manages to keep Sunderland from scoring. Now at 55 minutes & with the scoreline being 1-1 at Etihad, pressure mounts on Mancini & Gang.
Against the run-of-play, QPR's captain, Joey Barton, implodes - a straight red - gets sent off - This is Godsend for City. But what do we know - in the 66th minute - QPR's Jamie Mackie drills the ball into City's goal & hell breaks loose - Etihad transcends into a mourning ground. 2-1 - QPR leads. United fans already believe they've won it.
15 minutes to go - one would say City has capitulated - United's name was already getting etched on the Trophy - it was game over - Almost.
Next fifteen minutes - City throws the house down at QPR but fails to score. 4th official raises the slate - 5 minutes added time. This is it - It is now or never. United has managed to hold on to the lead - City must score twice in extra-time to win {something United pulled off against Bayern Munich in 1999 Champions League Final}
And then the substitute Edin Dzeko slots home the equalizer - unbelievable scenes at Etihad - the stadium comes alive - there's still 3 minutes on the clock - 1 more goal to complete this miracle. United's match has ended - 1-0, so if City doesn't score - United will be crowned for the 20th time.
Here comes Sergio Aguero, City's best player of the season, he smokes one past QPR's Patrick Kenny, City leads 3-2 - unfrickinbelievable - totally flabbergasting stuff - the league is tied at 89-89 points each but City will win on superior goal difference -
The final whistle blows - City are the new Champions - And boy did they deserve it - totally - Fans storm the pitch & the scenes are reminiscent of the 60's & 70's - a new era is born - City has 'arrived'
Anyone who witnessed this either on television or at the stadium will remember it vivid even if they lose their memory & forget their own name -- This was a miracle, like never before.
Well-done Manchester City
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