Then came the two minutes that no City fan, and no neutral who saw it, will forget. Two minutes that must have seemed even longer to the fans than the 44 years they waited since City’s last championship. Two minutes which mean we’ll no longer be able to shake our heads and snigger that City _ “typical City,” as its fans ruefully learned over the years to call the club _ is the laughingstock of English football, forever destined to live in United’s long shadow.
Like many revolutions, this one started with a bang _ when Edin Dzeko headed in David Silva’s corner for the equalizer, with the clock reading 91:14.
It still wasn’t enough. City needed the winner. Time was running out.
Then, on 93:20, Aguero coolly delivered it, with a shot that sent City’s Etihad Stadium into raptures.
Football, incredible. Anyone who hadn’t chewed off their nails can’t have been watching.
“You want to say it’s the best moment of your life,” said Kompany. “But if I’m honest, please, never again this way.”
The sting for United will be made worse by the fact that it threw away the title with losses to Wigan and City and a draw with Everton in April.
Not only was that late stumble uncharacteristic of United under Ferguson, it could cause lasting damage. Because now the City juggernaut is rolling, it may be ever harder to stop next season.
As one fan’s banner read: “Oi! Fergie, we’re `avin a party!”
Not only does City have seemingly endless funds _ expect Mancini to strengthen his squad even further this summer _ but his players’ confidence and self-belief should only grow with this title and the way it was won.
“It was really important to start winning this championship,” Mancini said. “Manchester City can have a big future now.”
___
John Leicester is an international sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jleicester(at)ap.org or follow him at http://twitter.com/johnleicester
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