City win title in most dramatic way possible
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012In the end, following a Premier League season that has lurched from one extreme to the other, we witnessed a conclusion that a scriptwriter would dare not pen for it would be written off as too fanciful.
For 92 minutes Manchester City’s worst fears – that they were destined to choke when it matters – were realised. Arch nemesis Sir Alex Ferguson had already upped the ante before the game by speaking of the ‘untold damage’ losing the title from such a commanding position would do for Roberto Mancini’s men.
Indeed the physiological blow would have been significant and taken a lot time to recover from and United’s 20th league title probably would have been their sweetest.
But Sheikh Mansour splashed out lavish sums on footballing superstars for a reason – he demanded big name, big game players.
And when it mattered, with two goals needed in the stoppage time of the final day of the season, £27million striker Edin Dzeko nodded them level before Sergio Aguero (a snip at £35million) had ice in his veins to collect Mario Balotell’s pass, dummy away from two players and power the ball past Paddy Kenny.
It was football at its most stunning, with agony replaced by ecstasy in an instant, and the roles reversed at the Stadium Of Light, where Manchester United’s fans and players had to endure an agonising three minutes on the field, with their game over and the destiny of the title out of their hands.
For punters who bet on soccer games, Sunday afternoon was a dream. The lead at the top of the table changed hands four times during the course of the afternoon, with only the bravest of punters predicting City would do it as their game ticked over into five minutes of stoppage time.
Even some City supporters had endured enough and had left the Etihad Stadium, only to desperately try and scramble back in when they heard the cheers.
Most soccer betting tips and expert writers are predicting a long and sustained spell of success for the Blue side of Manchester following this win.
Given they have the wealth of Sheikh Mansour behind them; simple maths dictates that they will reign at the top until he decides to walk away.
However, it is one thing to win once, it is another to win consistently, and they don’t have to look far to see what it takes to create a footballing dynasty.
Ferguson was gracious in defeat but the hurt was plain to see. Despite being at the end of his managerial career the fight and hunger seems as strong as ever and he will not want to be outdone by the ‘noisy neighbours’.
Which means next season could be even more exciting.
Didier Drogba is desired by Chelsea’s coach to remain at the club. Of Chelsea’s 4-3-3 attack, Drogba and Fernando Torres are at present competing to be the central focus, although before Saturday’s Premier League game with Tottenham Hotspur, Ancelotti has evaluated the pair in a 4-4-2 system in training.