I've been asked time and time again about the Blogs and how they've lacked a lot recently...
It's been awhile, not since November actually. I did start one, and then carry it on a bit, but it was all too long because I'd let too much time pass. So I'm afraid that this one will not be the usual step by step style which I normally write, I'll instead reflect on the season by doing my top ten moments; because I'm sure you'd rather read and remember the best bits instead of my ramblings about who I went for a drink with in what bar when we played someone.
Some bits will be whole games, some will be the both home and away fixtures, but I'll just start with something that was just a 'moment' more than anything else.
*EDIT* It will be a top 12 moments because I'd somehow blanked out a few important ones and I was half way through writing it!
12) Nigel de Jong vs. Liverpool.
We went to Liverpool 1-0 down from what was a very, very disappointing first leg at our place. After the 3-2 home loss to United, where we came out with a lot of credit, we went into that game at the Etihad with a hope that our team spirit would deliver us a nice advantage going to Anfield. Unfortunately that wasn't the case at all. Kompany suspended, Yaya and Kolo at the ACON and Silva rested (injured?) we looked just a bit clueless. A poor performance all round, and Liverpool scored by a Steven Gerrard penalty given away by Stefan Savic. Incidentally, only one of these players has a Premier League winners medal at the moment. Anyway; it was a cold evening in Liverpool. We knew that we had to start strongly if we had a chance of beating them and going to the final (which would be against lesser opposition). There were more than a few hundred of us stuck outside the Anfield Road end as the game kicked off, and I think most of us outside missed the first 10-15 minutes. A load of us congregated on the aisles, and we were all packed together, like being on a terrace. We hadn't been there for too long and de Jong unleashed this into the top corner. It was absolute chaos. Yes, it didn't mean too much in the end because we drew the game 2-2, but this moment was absolutely magic. Our support that night was fantastic, all sorts of songs were catching on (especially at a certain Mr Redknapp) and we were loud as fuck. Liverpool went on to win the Carling Cup, although I take little comfort from losing to the eventual winners seeing as they finished 37 points behind us in the league and we really should have got the business done over two legs!
Staying in the same competition but at an earlier round, we had Arsenal away. I've been to the Emirates every time we've played there, and I've either seen us lose or not go out to win. But this was a cup competition where it had to be decided on the night, so we had to try and win. I remember CityTV posting the last time we had won at Arsenal and it was many, many years ago! In all honesty, I don't really remember much about the game so I'm not even going to try to describe it to you. All I remember is there being over 5,000 City fans there and it being cheap tickets. Everyone seemed to be pissed; it was great. By all accounts, the coach journey home for my friends was even more entertaining! The game was getting a bit more tense as there wasn't much time to go, but then from an Arsenal corner City produce one of the fastest sweeping moves of the season and we all go absolutely crazy. Dzeko did brilliantly, Johnson laid the ball off and Aguero, that wonderful chap finished it off. We'd won the game when it went in, they weren't and didn't get back into it. We'd won their, and it was another record broken, another monkey off the back! I found this video to remind you of the goal, it made me smile quite a bit:
We played them again in the league not too long after and won a great game of football 1-0 when Silva scored in the second half. Our return fixture back to the Emirates in April turned out to be one of the lowest points of our season as we lost to a late Arteta goal and left us trailing United by 8 points with 6 points to go; a seemingly impossible task...!
10) Chelsea at home.
Two of my best mates are Chelsea fans, and when our teams play each other it is tradition that we have a good drink during the day before the game. Back in December they were the first team to beat us in the league. We started that game better than probably any during the season and Balotelli put us one up. They pulled one back just before half time and set the game up for the second half where they were the better team and they eventually won after a Lampard penalty. The joyous scenes at the game demonstrated what a scalp City had become, which I think hit us all with some bemusement, as I'm sure a lot of us still see ourselves as the City of old (although perhaps not anymore). Anyway, back to the home fixture, and it came to us during a tough part of the season. After months of leading the Premiership we had let United take the advantage after our loss away to Swansea. Sandwiching the Swansea defeat was our two legs against Sporting Lisbon where we would drop out of the Europa League. Chelsea on the other hand were growing in confidence. After sacking Andre Villas-Boas they brought the 'old guard' back and had battled through a tricky away game to Birmingham in the FA Cup (which they eventually won) and had come back from a difficult position against Napoli - who we knew all about - to go to the quarter finals of the Champions League. The game seemed even more vital because at the weekend we had the uneasy task of Stoke away where many top teams had already slipped up. With 80 minutes gone we were 1-0 to a deflected volley from Gary Cahill and it looked like we weren't going to get back into it. But we were awarded a penalty similar to the one which Chelsea were awarded back in Decemeber which Aguero scored. For months people had been asking the question of 'What if Tevez plays for you again?' and tonight marked his return from his self imposed exile. It's never been a case of 'Carlos, all is forgiven' but if it's good enough for Mancini, then it's good enough for me. With five minutes left to play, Nasri plays a one-two with Tevez and dinks it past Cech and City win 2-1. It felt like a huge victory at the time under the circumstances and when Nasri scored it was a top moment.
9) Sunderland at home.
The more you think about it, the bigger it becomes. The one thing no one can argue about with City this season is our home form. Out of the 19 games, we won 18 and drew 1. But the one we did draw could quite easily have been a loss - and it probably should have. On New Years Day City had lost their second game of the season after absolutely battering Sunderland for 92 minutes. And then with the last kick of the game they scored an offside goal to win the match. It was heart breaking at the time. I hoped that on the home fixture we would step up and make up for the bad result away to them. But somehow with not long to go at all we were 3-1 down. Balotelli and Kolarov had earlier had a row over taking a free kick which was cringe-worthy, but these two players scored two goals late on to secure a draw which proved vital to our Premier League title.
Celebrated the goal as if it meant a win, but the realisation set in not too long after that we were really choking in the league.
8) Blackburn away
We had landed back from Munich on the Wednesday night, bruised and aching from a few days of absolutely smashing it on the beer. The result in Munich hurt too, as we realised that we still have a long way to go as far as competing with some of Europes finest goes. Plus the whole Tevez saga. It was probably too soon for what is for many City fans, their favourite away game of the season. It may have been October 1st, but by the way the weather was, you could have thought it was mid-July; glorious. The game will really be remembered by me for our fans being absolutely top on the day and showing our manager a lot of respect by backing him over the Tevez affair. And then there was the second half. A few half chances fell to Balotelli in the first half but we came out in the second playing some great stuff. Johnson, Balotelli, Nasri and Savic got the goals as we walked away with a 4-0 win. Everyone who went to this game will understand why this game is so high up, so I won't write much more about it.
7) European adventures.
Yeah, some people will think as far as memories go, the Euro trips should go higher up and maybe if we had won a cup they would be. A quick run through of the Euro away trips:
Munich was incredible. I don't think I've ever been so pissed on the day of a game before. The Augstiner Keller (if that's how you spell it) was a great place to go, and the weather was perfect. The game was a let down, but from someone who was there to witness two getting sent off away to Bournemouth, I'll witness a 2-0 loss just for playing Bayern in a competitive game.
Villarreal. My favourite trip. Stayed in Valencia and had a great time, the Silva song seemed to go on forever on that first night. I'd definitely go back there again, and chances are we'll play Villarreal or Valencia again in the next few years. Great result as well, 3-0 away in Europe. We were absolutely flying around this time of the season.
Napoli. Quite low-key really. Only 800 or something out there. Still had a great time, but the drinking ban on the day of the game made it unlike other Euro trips. I'm not really one to rate Italy too high after Napoli and Juventus, but would probably still go if we got a Milan club next year. The game was disappointing too - we knew we were out after this.
Porto. Into the Europa League and our first trip in recent times to Portugal. Top trip, many consider this to be the best one. Great food, great booze, great day of the game - night before was top as well. Great game too. Winning from being 1-0 down to the holders, we went absolutely mental when Aguero scored. It was the return of Yaya too after the ACON.
I didn't go to Lisbon, so won't reflect on it. As far as the home games go, the last minute winner from Aguero against Villarreal stands out like a sore thumb, but we were so close to Hart making the Lisbon home fixture being one of the most memorable moments of the season.
Norwich had taken a right beating off us back in December 5-1; a favourite score line of City fans, and they were now going to be beaten by our new favourite score line: 6-1. I had a fantastic night out on the Friday in Norwich which consisted of a lot of alcohol drank and a stupid amount of money spent. I managed to shiver a hang over out of me due to freezing my mind away in my car (couldn't get into the hotel). Great little place, Norwich. Quite a picturesque away pub too, right on the river. Less than a week earlier we were dead and buried; the aforementioned Arsenal away game had ended our season and we only had pride to play for. But on the Wednesday night, something unexpected happened. With no disrespect to West Brom, City had an easy game to try and salvage some confidence going into the final few games, and United travelled to Wigan who they had a fantastic record against. Although I still didn't think we had a chance, it was a buzz coming away from the Etihad after a 4-0 victory and United slipping up 1-0 to Wigan. The West Brom game also was the first start for Tevez after a few sub appearances, and we seemed to play a lot better. After months of thinking he was a little prick, you almost forgot how good Carlos is, and on this Saturday lunchtime game, he showed us. The goals in the first half were some of the best of the season. After an uneasy first 20 minutes, City came back to dominate and showed why we've been so dangerous all season. The 4th and 6th goals been absolutely fantastic to watch in the stands. Our fans again were absolutely brilliant all day; probably my favourite domestic atmosphere of the season. Also this is the game responsible for our coach getting newspaper coverage: http://blogs.menmedia.co.uk/sport/2012/04/manchester-city-fans-pose-as-bobsleigh-team-to-persuade-coach-firm-to-take-them-to-match-at-norwich-city/ also on this trip it will be well remembered that a girl from the Isle of Man who was having a night out boarded the coach that left town at 4am - and she managed to get a ticket!
5) Wolves away
Back in October we came here just days after the 6-1 and had a great time winning 5-2 in the Carling Cup. I've written about that fixture before, and it's not the reason that this is so high up. In fact the match wasn't even that great at all. So why is it here? Apart from it being a vital win in our run in, it was the moment where the Walkabout bar in Wolverhampton exploded when Steven Pienaar equalised against United. It was an absolutely unbelievable moment, which I'm sure many will not forget for as long as they go to City. This is the game which United fans will cite as the reason they messed up in the league, and although there was still four games for City to play at this point, it was the first time we were had the league titles destiny back into our hands as we were now 6 points behind United. The knowledge that to beat Wolves and beat United the following week would make us top again made a lot of people, including myself, very anxious about the game that was soon to kick off. Wolves started off well, they knew that anything but a win would confirm their relegation. But soon we were knocking on the door time and time again and eventually Aguero scored a vital goal. The second half was tense. We knew that holding onto a victory would mean a potential title show down game against United on the following Monday. The relief and joy that flowed through the air when Nasri slotted the ball into the net to make it 2-0 was intoxicating. We'd got the job done, and it was well and truly back in our hands after seemingly throwing it away between mid-March to mid-April.
4) Tottenham riots
I can't believe there's actually been 3 moments better than the two games against these lot. The media's heroes; managed by Sir Harry (how did that England job go?) and championed due to good old Scotty Parker (if it wasn't for him, we'd all be speaking German) and the greatest ever player, ever Gareth Bale. To be honest, I don't actually mind Spurs players, but I've only really ever got on with one of their fans during my years, although I have a long running thing with Redknapp. His court case certainly was entertaining. Just to back up the media's love for him, the journalists had a nice sing song of 'Happy Birthday' at a press conference this season. Anyway, back to our two games against Spurs. I've already written in detail about the August encounter; but I don't tire of it. This was the day the world listened. Last years defensive tactics had dissolved quicker than you can say "I set up an offshore bank account called Rosie 47". We were incredible, and Dzeko in particular had the game of his City career. I think when the fourth, and Dzeko's fifth went in, I honestly thought that this would be one of the greatest moments I'd have witnessed; a true testament to how this season has been that it's 4th on the list.
And then of course there was the home fixture. At the time we were without Yaya and Kompany, and Spurs were right on ours and United's heels. After an uneventful first half, Silva played a wonderful ball for Nasri to put us one up. Before the second chorus of "Best team in the land" had finished we were taking a corner and Lescott made us two up. What a great feeling, we had effectively knocked Spurs out the title race... but then again with the inexperience of Savic playing instead of the suspended Kompany, anything is possible. Soon enough it was unbelievably 2-2 after a great goal from Bale. It all looked like fizzing out to a 2-2, before Spurs broke and the pace of Bale and Defoe left City looking like they were going to score the winner, but in a repeat of Gazza in Euro 96 it just went wide. One last hopeful kick up the field from Clichy and somehow Balotelli and Ledley King are tangled up together before King wraps his legs round Balotelli's resulting in a penalty for us. Mario, who was soon to be the centre of controversy after appearing to stamp on the War Hero, stepped up cool as you like a slotted the penalty home as if he was doing it in his back garden. 3-2. We'd won the game. Absolutely crazy celebrations in the South Stand and all around the ground. A moment where you think, this is it; we will win this title. It was a defining point of the season for Spurs as they slipped away for dark-horse title winners to just scraping into 4th place, although if Chelsea win the Champions League final it will be Europa League football for them. Never seen us do the double over Spurs, so I enjoyed that too.
3) Newcastle away
When the fixture list came out last June there was a particular interest in our last away game being at St. James' Park; 1968 and all that. And after what had happened a few days earlier at the Etihad, it dawned on me how this could be one of the most important games I'll ever attend. Had a great time on the coach up to Newcastle, a long journey meant a lot of boozing. We stopped off at Chester-le-Street cricket club for a few drinks as well, and made it to the ground about 10 minutes before kick off. I'm pretty oblivious as to what happened in the first half, which could either be vertigo, or an excess of cider. I remember my mate Chris saying when the Tevez for de Jong substitution happened "this will win us the game" and sure enough he was right. Our old shape of letting Yaya play the advanced midfield role allowed him to basically win the game. What a player, what a signing. The first goal was absolutely incredible from that height, and it didn't take long for it to hit me that 1) that goal was huge and 2) if we fuck this up now it will feel awful, which is probably why I got caught on camera like this:
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| Anxious |
After a tense period of Newcastle trying to get back into the game we broke away and Yaya made it two. Absolute joy. It's one of those moments where I can't even remember it, the relief and release of anxiety was so intense. I described the Nasri goal against Wolves as being 'intoxicating', well in comparison, the Wolves goal was like a bag of Wine Gums. Great journey home, didn't really want it to end as it was the last away of the season, but we knew we had something bigger awaiting. We knew we were so close. We knew all we had to do was to beat QPR and we were champions, and that couldn't be too hard, eh...!
2) United.
Read this: http://liamwright1987.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/youre-trying-hard-to-put-me-in-my-place.html for the 1-6.
So it all came down to the 'unmissable'. 650 million people in over 200 countries watched on as City played United. We were three points before. United knew that a point would have probably been good enough for them to retain the title, and although Ferguson claimed he wanted to win the game, it's clear that he'd rather City not win it. The build up to the game was insane. You would forgive a Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea fan to think, 'what's the big fuss? These games happen every season'. The media's love of a story and love of the phrase 'power shift' (which I don't think I've ever heard before in any context) built this up beyond belief. Don't get me wrong, it was a huge game, but we could quite have easily (and almost did) win this and fuck everything else up. The game was tense, not boring, but not the most exciting of the season. We were generally on top, but without giving De Gea much to do. And then just before half time, captain Kompany delivered what would be the killer blow. As it sunk in, and the half time whistle blew amongst the loud raptures of 'We're not really here' tears filled my eyes.
Second half was much of the same, and we hung on. Great scenes at the final whistle, but I felt beyond drained by the end of it. Normally after a derby victory I'm on good form and feel like I can do anything, but that night I just had to go to bed afterwards. The home game was never going to be as enjoyable as the away one, so go on, read the away bit again.
1) QPR
So it all came down to this. 13th May 2012. On paper it seemed to be nailed on. Neutrals were telling me not to worry, we'll get the business done. But I know City. And I know Mark Hughes. No one could have written what happened on this day. I was in town early doors to take it all in. I had to have a few drinks to take the nerves off. Got into the ground at about 2:30. The atmosphere was building and we knew that it could be a great afternoon if it all went for us. The game kicked off and City were being patient. A lot of our opening goals seem to take awhile to come. I wasn't getting too anxious yet. And just as I was about to feel like 'we really need to get into this now' Zabaleta scored a lucky goal. It was a relief too, as United had taken the lead awhile earlier. I said earlier in the day that Zaba was the only outfield player not to score this season, so I fancied him to be the hero today. We celebrated the goal like it was the one. At this point QPR weren't really putting up much a attacking threat.
The concourse in the South Stand was rocking at half time, and for about half a second my mind flickered to the memory of the last time a Mark Hughes team came to City. We had been comfortable at half time against Fulham and pretty soon into the restart they equalised and we drew the game 1-1, in case you forgot. And would you believe it, Joleon Lescott, who has been brilliant all season cocks up and allows Cisse to score. Your heart sinks. But there's still loads of time. One of my old heroes lets himself down by getting sent off and every one cheers. I'm still of the belief that it's harder to beat teams with 10 men because they give up on attacking at all... if only that was the case, Traore dances down the line and Jamie Mackie who I once saw play in League 2 headers it in to make it 2-1.
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| Jamie Mackie |
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| Robert Taylor |
The only thing I can compare this to is Gillingham. Jamie Mackie had just done a Robert Taylor on us (lets hope we don't sign him though, eh?) and makes you feel that all that effort, all those times where you've celebrated because you think you're on your way to being champions, all those Monday mornings in work which fly by because you're still on a high from City at the weekend, all that has just evaporated. Back to square one. And then there's what everyone's going to say. United will be telling us 'we knew all along', Arsenal fans will be erecting a statue of Piers Morgan, Scousers will be saying that we still have no "'istree'" Spurs fans will be saying "you've spent 898282 trillion and all you've got is the FA Cup". Urgh. I don't want to leave, but I don't know what to even think or do. I look at my phone; no txts or calls yet. As the clock hits 89 minutes and we misplace another cross I say to Andy, "We've fucked it" I get my phone out one more time and look at how to sign out of Twitter or how to delete it all together so that the faceless masses can't attack me. We've got another corner. And Dzeko scores.
I don't even flinch.
Do I think that this is our 'Horlock moment'? Do I fuck. It's already about 91 mins and we've got 95 to play. Nasri lets the ball go off, people screaming, 'why the fuck did he let it go?!' Lescott wins a header, and de Jong collects and runs forward. I've seen it all before, we'll get it 18 yards out and cross it over to no one, the ball will go for a goal kick and it's all over. QPR fans start celebrating. It must have finished 2-2 at Stoke, I shout 'Well fucking let us score then!' Aguero gets it, gives it to Balotelli who flicks it back to him. One touch.
Bang.
Euphoria.
I'm not quite sure what happens for the next minute or two but I can just remember coming to my senses after about 20 seconds 'We've just won the league, we've fucking done it'.
The comparisons to Gillingham in 99 are bound to happen, and although that moment will never be forgotten I think this moment has surpassed what was the best day of my life. I ran on the pitch, I cried my eyes out, I embraced many strangers.
It was only afterwards where we found out the timeline of events where United had just finished and thought they'd done it. But it's not about them, it's about us. This was the greatest thing I've ever witnessed.
As far as that days concerned, I'll leave it there. It's probably far too soon for me to reflect on this. I'm sure anyone reading will have their own memories of 93:20 in that game. What a vital game it had been against QPR back in November too where we under performed, but still got a great victory.
All in all; best season of my life. Met even more top people along the way, and there's been plenty more moments not even mentioned. Thanks to anyone I've come in contact with this season, I hope you've had a great time too. Hopefully next year can out do this one, but I really can't see how it can.
Until next season
Liam
