I don’t know about you, but the scene at The Etihad Stadium yesterday was intense, with fans of Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers on the edge of their seats, either in the stadium, foll
I don’t know about you, but the scene at The Etihad Stadium yesterday was intense, with fans of Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers on the edge of their seats, either in the stadium, following on Twitter, watching on Sky or listening on Radio 5 live. Who could blame them? It was, after all, a game of epic proportions.
It was unexpected, as City was down 2-1. QPR had been reduced to ten men, after Joey Barton’s unforgivable, and indeed controversial, violent outbursts against Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany cost Rangers a midfielder and captain. While Barton contemplated (or rather tweeted) the incident off the pitch awaiting news of a suspension from the FA, the ten men Rangers were in control, and by the 90th minute, there was a consensus that the League trophy would once again be in the hands of Alex Ferguson and co down at Old Trafford.
That was, until unexpectedly during injury time, City scored, tying it up 2-2, thanks to Edin Dzeko’s quick thinking. United were still in the lead (and would eventually beat Sunderland 1-0 thanks to Wayne Rooney’s goal), so there was still that consensus. Who would relieve City of the anxiety that they had and give them a clear sign that their team would hoist the well-coveted trophy? Look no further than Sergio Aguero, who in the 93rd minute scored the goal that made it 3-2.
City won the Premier League title for the first time in 44 years. Manchester United was second, and Arsenal was third with Tottenham and Newcastle following from behind. ‘It was incredible—they deserved this,’ Mancini said according to a report from the Daily Telegraph. ‘To win it like this is incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a finale like this.’
Mark Hughes, QPR’s manager, too felt the excitement. ‘I congratulate City,’ Hughes said according to a BBC report. ‘It is a huge achievement for them. I am sure there will be many more in the future. We touched the well of apprehension they experienced. It was all the more exciting because of that.’ Hughes noted the significance of this for Rangers. ‘The club wasn’t ready for the Premier League but we are moving very quickly,’ Hughes added, pledging that QPR will never be in the position of relegation from the Premier League so long as he is at the helm. ‘I’m delighted for everyone connected with QPR, on a highly emotional day for everyone we put on a magnificent performance,’ Hughes said.
This is the drama that makes the Premier League the best football league in the world—bar none. The drama that has you on the edge of your seat, wondering what the next move will be and what will make history is nothing like it anywhere else. The developments at The Etihad are why I support this League, why I have a connection to the League, why I love talking and writing about the League, but most importantly, why I became a football fan in the first place.
