Sportsgalaxy: Manchester City Win 2011/12 Barclays Premier League in Grand Style

Manchester City has finally emerged the winners of the 2011/12 Barclays English Premier League season in what could best be described as the greatest dramatic comeback on the final day of the season. The matches between City and Queens Park Rangers, and the one between Manchester United and Sunderland were no doubt the most tensed as fans could hardly relax to enjoy the games. Everybody held on to his smart phone to hear what was happening from the other end.

United took the lead in through Wayne Rooney in the 20th minute of the first half of the match and maintained the goal till the very last blast of the whistle. Sunderland tried as much as possible to equal scores but that was impossible. Man. U looked good to clinch their 20th premiership title; they were sure of their victory over their host. They kept praying QPR should win or at least hold City to a draw.

Pablo Zabaleta put Manchester City on the lead in the 39th minute of the first half. Roberto Mancini’s lads had hoped to consolidate on their gains, but on resumption of the second half, their goal was cancelled out by Djibril Cisse who had latched on a loose ball that was headed backward by Joleon Lescott to drive a low shot behind Joe hart.

A moment later Joey Barton was shown the red card for elbowing Carlos Tevez by the edge of the 18 yard box. Down to 10 men, QPR resorted to defensive tactics, frustrating all moves by City to win the match. Even when ball possession was 80% - 20% in favour of the home side, QPR’s defense wall remained impregnable till the end of the 90 minutes.

While City were desperately fighting to score more goals, substitute Armand Traore gave a cross to Jamie Mackie who nodded it behind Joe hart thereby ensuring that 10-man QPR were in the lead once again. The result remained 2-1 in favour of the visitors for the rest of the second half.

Manchester United were already celebrating their victory and waiting for the final whistle signaling the end of the match between City and Rangers when something dramatic happened. Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero scored two quick goals in the last few seconds of the added 5 minutes injury time to end the hopes of United.

Manchester City had just won their first EPL title in 44 years, their very first under Roberto mancini. The stadium went into ecstasy. Of course in a matter of seconds, reality dawned on their neighbours that the title was no longer within their reach. Everything changed in split seconds.

They worked hard for it; they believed in themselves that they could do it (according to their skipper Kompany). Malcini also added "I don't think I've ever seen a finale like this. We didn't deserve to lose. We had a lot of chances and we deserved to win the game and championship. It's fantastic for the club and the supporters after 44 years. It's been a crazy season and a crazy last minute."

Sir Alex Fergusson had this to say after City were declared champions, "It's a cruel way to lose the title. We've experienced many ups and downs in the 25 years I've been here, most of them have been great, we've won the title three times on the last day, today we nearly did it. "I'd like to say on behalf of Manchester United, congratulations to our neighbors -- a fantastic achievement to win the Premier League."

I think they truly deserved to be champions considering the fact they have the best attack and the best defense in the EPL this season. They scored a total of 93 goals and conceded 29, scoring the highest numbers and conceding the least.

Now they have qualified to represent England in the Champions’ league next season. It is no longer news that Mancini’s boys have won the EPL, and the question is no longer “Can Manchester City win the 2011/12 Premier League?” but now the question on everyone’s lips is “Can City successfully defend the title?” Whether they can defend the title or not the, only time shall tell.