Match From The Past: Manchester City Down Baggies To Close On United

11^th April 2012

It had been a long season. For a long while, it looked like Manchester City would win the Premier League title for the first time and claim their first top flight title since 1968. Then it started to go wrong. Defeat at Arsenal left the blues eight points behind United going into the match at home to West Brom, and only a win would be good enough to keep their faint title chances alive.

United were visiting Wigan, who were second from bottom and facing relegation firmly in the face, and a win to their local rivals would be a giant step towards the Premier League title for the 13^th time. Carloz Tevez had not started for the blues since September, but after burying the hatchet with the Argentine striker, manager Roberto Mancini gave him a place in the starting line up. And he wasn’t to be disappointed.

The blues tore into the visitors from the off and with just six minutes on the clock, Sergio Aguero pounced. The striker collected the ball midway in the West Brom half and only had one thought on his mind. The defenders backed off and gave him space to unleash a right foot shot from outside the penalty area, that flew past the keeper and nestled in the corner.

City pressed for more goals, but had to wait until the second half to increase their lead and when they did, the floodgates well and truly opened.

On 54 minutes, Samir Nasri played in Aguero, and the Argentine calmly curled the ball past the keeper to send the blues clear. Things got better for City when they heard United had gone a goal down at Wigan, and with the realisation that the title may come down to goal difference, the blues went in search of more.

Seven minutes later, the prodigal son scored is first goal since May 2011. Some of the faithful had booed the striker following his self-imposed exile form the club after refusing to come on as a substitute against Bayern Munich earlier in the season, but they were on their feet as he grabbed number three. Aguero raced into the penalty area and his cross was met by his fellow countryman, who side-footed from 15 yards.

And Aguero became provider again on 64 minutes when David Silva collected his pass before chipping a delightful shot over the keeper and into the back of the net for 4-0. The faithful’s attention then turned to Wigan to see that United had lost 1-0 and the blues were now only five points behind, with a home derby to come, and even though Roberto Mancini claimed the title race was over the following day, no one truly believed him.

Final Score: Manchester City 4-0 West Brom

City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Barry, Silva, De Jong, Nasri, Tevez, Aguero