Wow! As we celebrate 20 years of the premier league we witness probably the greatest final day which in itself epitomises probably the greatest season of all time.
Even football atheist were discussing the drama at the Etihad over the watercooler, swept away by the euphoria not seen since...well since forever!
Ironic that Mancini's men pulled off the kind of Fergie-time escape that we're so used to seeing from the red half of Manchester and the parralells between yesterday and the famous United escape to win the European cup in 1999 cannot be ignored.
We all thought they'd win and they did deserve too and despite their best attempts to give everyone on all sides of the football compass a massive cardiac arrest. After 90 minutes it seemed as though Mancini needed a defibrilator on the touchline and five minutes later he'd probably reaching for a sedative or two.
How can you not love moments like this is football?
People will crow that City have bought their first title in 44 years but all the Arabic care packages cannot buy you the spirit, determination and heart that was required in the last five minutes at the Etihad. You just cannot purchase that, it is taught and ingrained by the manager and means nothing without the players being on board.
It's the exact same quality that Ferguson himself has thrived and succeeded with for years and shows that winning a title isn't about quality on the pitch, its just as important to have the quality on the touchline and in the backroom too.
For United it was a season that they were never in the hunt, then the season they couldn't lose and eventually the one that they ended up second best, not a phrase in their vocabulary. As City parade in a sea of blue through the streets Fergie will be plotting his revenge, you can guaruntee it.
At the other of the league we say goodbye to Bolton and Owen Coyle who were unlucky to go down, not just with their points tally but also by the thuggery of the ref at the Britannia who seemed to believe football is rugby. Shame for Coyle as he's handled himself so well throughout the season and especially with the difficult time surrounding the Fabrice Muamba incident.
So QPR survive as do Villa, no thanks to either Joey Barton or Alex Mcleish. If every Rangers player on Sunday was tremendous, Barton was moronic! The man will never change and he can twitter all he wants it won't change the fact that he's basically a hooligan on the wrong side of the white line. Its no wonder both Man City and Newcastle saw fit to remove him from their squads, he's a walking liability.
Is it a pitch invader? Not its just Joey losing his rag!
Mcleish has finally got the boot today, an appointment that was about as popular as...um...Joey Barton?
I'm sure big 'eck will find a job soon enough, probably with any side that enjoys playing with the creative guile of...um...Joey Barton?
Steve Kean may be next for the chop, that is the Venky's could be bothered to actually do anything productive with the club?
So where to now after this amazing season?
The Euro's of course, not forgetting the Champions League final which will see Chelsea B team play away at Bayern. yes we all want them to win it for the good of English football but at present we can't see it happening.
As for the Euro's we wait with anticipation as to the look of Roy's cobbled squad, the main focal point being the forward options, or lack of? He'll take Rooney and Sturridge for sure, Defoe and A-bong-and-a-whore probably but which other lumbering big fella makes the grade? Crouch, Carroll, Holt...Zamora???
Hodgson's choice to lead the line at Euro 2012
Smart money is on Crouch, he's got the experience at that level even if he don't have a quality at that level. Whichever direction Roy turns it'll be nothing short of gripping even if they lose three straight games and send the players off on their summer holiday.
We'll support them to the hilt and get over excited if they do any good in wam up matches. Roy will be the messiah that we've all been waiting for!
For English football at any level is the very definition of drama, excitment, elation, devastation, agony and ecstasy all rolled into one.
Don't agree...just watch the events of Sunday 13th May, 2012.
Thank you and goodnight sportsfans!
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