What utter madness. Is it going over the top to say the most dramatic end to a title race ever? I'd have to look it up, but I'm not sure if two goals in injury time have ever won it before, although of course Mickey Thomas in '89 springs to mind. I can't claim I was confident. When Cisse scored, I was worried. When Mackie scored, I was shellshocked. And when 90 minutes came and we were still behind I couldn't believe it was true. Although before the match my head said we'd steamroller them, my heart had been reminding me that this was still City and we have made a point in my 27 years of idiotic wastefulness. My mind went back to '96 - would we do something equally hilarious? Instead, though, it was the playoff final that the players managed to conjure up.
That said, I think it was this season's match against Sporting that really set the tone - 1-0 down from the first leg, 2-0 down on the night, at half-time it looked like we were set to lose embarrassingly, giving up our chance for European success for another season and putting all our eggs in the Premier League basket. However, two goals from Aguero and a penalty from Balotelli (won by Aguero) brought us back level, then Hart's header right at the end nearly put us through. This was then followed by games against Chelsea, Stoke and Sunderland. In all of these games we went behind but came back to get something from the game. Although Stoke and Sunderland looked like points dropped at the time, of course every point was vital in a league won on goal difference!
Anyway, Sunday. In many ways I think it was our season in a nutshell - dominate for the first half without managing to get convincing ahead of the opposition, have a suspect third quarter in which we nearly throw it away, undoing all the good work, and then pull it back right at the end. The very end. But what a match. So much drama, so many talking points, all discussed ad infinitum in the days since the match (I'm not exactly bang up to date with my writing). I just want to mention a few players though.
First, Sergio. Just unbelievable all season, since scoring that belter against Swansea and continuing to score since. He's got such pace, skill, nerve, ability, temperament...a friend of a friend was involved in the medical at City and apparently he's a lovely bloke into the bargain. The cool head with which he dropped his shoulder to go round the defender and then smash it in was worth the price we paid (incidentally, just £3m more than Carrol and £12m less than Torres!), and I was also impressed with how adeptly he wheeled his shirt around afterwards. Great celebrating.
I think Lescott must be the most relieved man in the country, and there are a lot of relieved Blues out there. He must have been feeling that he had let one slip-up define a season in which he has been largely excellent, even if he is the only member of the squad who is more comfortable with his head than with his feet. However, it wasn't Lescott who I was most angry with when we were losing. I can forgive ineptitude (I have supported City for 20-odd years) and even lack of concentration, but what I can't abide is laziness on the pitch. For that reason, it was Nasri who I was ready to blame if we didn't manage to win the title. The way he jogged back for the second goal, leaving Mackie completely on his own, was terrible. I couldn't believe the lack of desire, in a match of that importance! I was also furious when he let the ball go out for a throw-in after our second, wasting precious time giving the ball to the opposition. I think he's the only player who you could really say has under-achieved this season, although he has scored a couple of important goals against Tottenham and Chelsea. I also enjoyed how he was named man of the match at home to Arsenal (slightly generous but I love a bit of goading), and anyone who manages to embarrass Piers Morgan is a good lad in my book. I also loved it when he celebrated with Cisse at the end, but I think he needs to improve next year.
I was delighted that Dzeko scored the equaliser. I thought he helped to change the game when he came on, just as he had against Sporting, but the one who really made the difference was Super Mario. Sometimes I think he can be a passenger, sulking when he hasn't got the ball and then fouling when it comes to him and he inevitably gives it away. On Sunday though he was excellent, full of energy and running, getting into dangerous positions and of course setting up the winner.
But what a day. It was a long time coming, but it was worth it when it did. Champions League next season?
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