Premier League fans have chosen Sergio Aguero’s performance against Queens Park Rangers in 2012 as their favourite Game Changing performance of the last 30 years.
With Manchester City trailing QPR 2-1 on the final match of the 2011/12 season going into stoppage time, it looked like their first Premier League title had slipped away in heart-breaking fashion.
Manchester United were winning at Sunderland and City fans knew that unless they could capture the three points, their neighbours would claim the crown once again.
Man City had taken a first-half lead through right-back Pablo Zabaleta and with 45 minutes of the season remaining, had their sights set on lifting their inaugural title. Even after Djibril Cisse had equalised early in the second half, things looked up for City when their former player Joey Barton was sent off.
With 35 minutes to go and playing against 10 men, City fans expected their team to push on and get the winner; however, 10 minutes later disaster struck as Armand Traore's cross was headed home by Jamie Mackie to put QPR 2-1 ahead.
All or nothing
Roberto Mancini had to gamble and brought on both Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli to play alongside Aguero, hoping to somehow deliver the two goals required for victory.
The substitutes board went up showing five minutes of added time and City were still pushing, while QPR were holding on to three points that they hoped would deliver their own relegation escape.
In the 92nd minute David Silva's inswinging corner was met by Dzeko who rose highest to head City level. One more goal in the three minutes remaining would win City the title.
A minute later, the full-time whistle was blown at the Stadium of Light – Man Utd had done their job and won 1-0; at this stage they would be champions.
But City hadn’t quite finished! Nigel De Jong received the ball just inside his own half, moved forward and played it to Aguero 35 yards out from goal. He turned and played a one-two with Balotelli, before taking one touch around Taye Taiwo and smashing the ball past Paddy Kenny. It happened to be Balotelli’s only assist in 70 Premier League appearances for Man City and Liverpool.
The Etihad Stadium erupted as City produced the latest comeback in Premier League history to date. Mancini was swamped by the coaches and subs; the fans could not believe what they had seen as City had won the Premier League title on goal difference, the only time this has been done.
Of the 184 Premier League goals scored by Aguero, none was more important.
