Manchester City vs. QPR: Where Are the 2011/12 Title Winners Now?
It’s a moment written into the history of Manchester City and, indeed, English football.
On May 13, 2012, City beat Queens Park Rangers 3-2 at the Etihad to win their first league title in 44 years in the most dramatic circumstances imaginable. For many, the phrase "Typical City" sums up City's spectacular failures, but it's also about their ability to enjoy unfathomable highs, and this, perhaps, is the defining example.
Trailing 2-1 and on the brink of an infamous failure, Edin Dzeko, a second-half substitute, scored two minutes into injury time to make it 2-2, but with Manchester United having beaten Sunderland 1-0, a draw wasn't enough. City, who went into the final day of the season in pole position, looked to be choking.
But a dramatic last-gasp strike from Sergio Aguero secured the title and provided us with the most memorable goal in Premier League history. Roberto Mancini had delivered the title in wonderful fashion.
This weekend, City face QPR again, this time in far less dramatic circumstances. But where are the 2012 title winners now? City used 14 players on that glorious day, and here's the lowdown on the whereabouts of all of them.
Joe Hart
1 of 14
Joe hart remains firmly City's No. 1 and has enjoyed an excellent season. After being dropped for six weeks last season because of a run of glaring errors, he's returned to form this campaign.
In terms of his ability in one-on-one situations, there are few better, and his shot-stopping continues to amaze. His ability to deal with crosses remains a concern, but, overall, he has reestablished himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Pablo Zabaleta
2 of 14
The title-winning campaign was arguably Pablo Zabaleta's defining season. Having been a solid, dependable and much-loved player, 2011-12 saw him enter the top tier of European full-backs, a player potent going forward and solid defensively.
This season has, like for many in the City squad, seen him regress, somewhat, but he's still been excellent.
He scored the opening goal against QPR, a moment that capped a fine season for the Argentinian.
Vincent Kompany
3 of 14
Vincent Kompany remains an integral part of the City squad, despite a very difficult campaign that has seen him, for the first time since his move to the Etihad, struggle badly for form.
Next season will be crucial for Kompany. He must improve and return to the player of old, a player central to every success City have had in recent years.
Joleon Lescott
4 of 14
Out of the back four and goalkeeper who started the game with QPR in 2012, four of them remain. The only one who has left the club is Joleon Lescott who is currently at West Brom.
Lescott was key member of the title-winning side of 2012. He arguably outshone Kompany throughout the season and will forever be remembered fondly by the City supporters.
He's been one of West Brom's key players this season.
Gael Clichy
5 of 14
Like many in the City squad, this season has been patchy for Gael Clichy. It began badly, out of form and low on confidence, but a huge upturn from mid-November onwards improved the picture dramatically.
His home-grown status means he will avoid being part of the expected cull this summer and will continue as a first-team regular.
Gareth Barry
6 of 14
One of the most underrated players in City's recent history is Gareth Barry, a reliable and quality midfielder whose passing and ability to be in the right place at the right time was a key facet of the club's turn in fortunes.
He was exceptional throughout the title-winning season, but after a slight dip in form the following year, he was allowed to leave when Manuel Pellegrini arrived to replace Mancini.
Initially on a season-long loan, he moved to Everton, where he remains to this day. His form this season has been far less impressive than for the majority of his career; however, his place in the hearts of City fans will always be secure.
Yaya Toure
7 of 14
This summer could spell the end of Yaya Toure as a City player. If he does leave, he will undoubtedly be remembered as a club legend and one of the most important signings in City's recent history.
His two goals in the final 20 minutes of the penultimate match of the 2012 season against Newcastle sent City into the final game at QPR with their noses in front. Add to that his FA Cup semi-final and final winners in 2011, and his League Cup final goal last year, and it becomes clear he has been the man for the big occasion.
Samir Nasri
8 of 14
Another 2012 survivor who could well be on his way is Samir Nasri. After being dropped for the Leicester game back in March, he's hardly figured since, with his 45-minute cameo in Barcelona, defined by a petulant kick on Neymar, seemingly a death knell for his time at City.
He should, though, be remembered as a quality player for City should he exit this summer. Technically excellent and wonderful in possession, his feistiness and desire to win games has often gone overlooked.
David Silva
9 of 14
David Silva is another survivor from the 2012 side and remains integral to City's plans.
He may be 29, but given he has never relied on pace, it's hardly a concern for Pellegrini. A gifted No.10 whose ability to find a key pass is a joy to behold, Silva could arguably be the finest player ever to pull on a blue shirt.
Carlos Tevez
10 of 14
Carlos Tevez came back from a self-enforced hiatus to give City an added edge in the 2012 title run-in.
An awful moment in Munich during a Champions League game at the beginning of that season, where he refused to come off the bench and help his team, saw him return to Argentina for a while and play no part in City's bid to win the title.
But he came back and gave City an edge, including starting the final game of the season against QPR.
Arguably the most important addition to the City side since the 2008 takeover by Sheikh Mansour, Tevez left for Juventus, where he remains, in the summer of 2013.
Sergio Aguero
11 of 14
Sergio Aguero is the top scorer in this season's Premier League with 22 goals already and, for some reason, was overlooked when the PFA Player of the Year was shortlisted.
Is there a bigger name in terms of worldwide appeal in the City squad than Aguero? It's doubtful. He already has more than 100 goals for the club and is surely the best striker in their history.
His winner against QPR, though, will always be his defining moment—one swing of his right foot ending 44 years of pain.
Nigel De Jong
12 of 14
The cult of Nigel De Jong is a somewhat baffling side story of City's recent history. He is admired by the club's fans for the brilliance he so often showed when he first arrived at the club in 2009, but by the time the 2012 season was concluding, his influence was on the wane.
He was consistently a substitute that season. Against QPR, he replaced Toure and gave City a different option, like he had for much of the campaign. However, he left that summer, moving to AC Milan, and has since become a player glamourised and overstated by many.
His deal at AC Milan ends this summer, and there's likely to be a scramble for his signature.
Edin Dzeko
13 of 14
So often a man for the big occasion, Dzeko's equaliser in the game with QPR is arguably his most significant contribution in a City shirt.
He's been criticised throughout his time at City, but his tendency to score heavy goals cannot be doubted. He may be on his way this summer after a season in which he's struggled, scoring just six goals in all competitions, but he leaves a winner and a player who'll be fondly remembered.
Mario Balotelli
14 of 14
Mario Balotelli contributed one assist during the entire 2012 season, but what an assist it was. It was the Italian who slid in to find the pass that gave Aguero his chance to win it and the rest, as they say, is history.
Ballet eventually left the club, spending one-and-a-half seasons at AC Milan before joining Liverpool this summer. His time at Anfield has been close to disastrous, but the City fans will always love "Mario" for his infectious personality and some big performances during a wonderful period in the club's history.
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