Sergio Aguero tore through the Manchester United defense to score a dazzling winner as Manchester City beat the Premier League leaders 2-1 on Monday to remind them they are still champions for a few more weeks.
Second-placed City’s second successive league win at Old Trafford, following last season’s 6-1 demolition job, allowed them to narrow the gap on United to 12 points with seven games left, although manager Roberto Mancini said the title race was over.
“The championship is finished,” the Italian told a press conference. “Our supporters deserve this victory, after we were 15 points behind it was important for them. It is important for us because we can clinch second position.”
Photo: AFP
A blistering opening 10 minutes gave way to a scrappy first half, before the visitors broke the deadlock in the 51st minute with James Milner’s deflected goal.
The lead lasted eight minutes before an unfortunate own-goal by City captain Vincent Kompany following a superb free-kick by Robin van Persie, but substitute Aguero came on to snatch the points with a special goal in the 78th minute.
United lead the way with 77 points from 31 games with City on 65. Third-placed Chelsea are on 58 points, level with Tottenham Hotspur, who have played a game more than their London rivals.
While Manchester City have effectively already handed over their crown, United manager Alex Ferguson was avoiding taking possession until the mathematics are complete.
“We won’t be complacent. If you look at the history of this club over the years we always make it difficult for ourselves,” Ferguson told the BBC. “The supporters are hanging on the edge of their seats every year. It is a 12-point lead, we go to Stoke [City] at the weekend and we will have a go.”
On a chilly evening at Old Trafford, visiting fans taunted their hosts by singing: “We are the champions — champions of England” and reminded them of last season’s hammering that proved key when they won the title on goal-difference.
The frenetic start to the game highlighted there was more than just three points at stake as United sought to eradicate memories of that drubbing and City reproduced fleeting glimpses of last season’s attacking spark.
The visitors had the better chances as Samir Nasri, Milner and David Silva wasted decent opportunities, while United forward Van Persie, enduring a barren spell of 10 games without a goal, experienced yet more frustration.
The Dutchman’s early shot across goal went just wide of the far post and he later fired wildly into the crowd from long range.
United’s stand-in centerback Phil Jones was quick off the mark to intercept after good work from Silva, who tried to set up former Old Trafford favorite Carlos Tevez.
City were finally rewarded for their domination of possession when Ryan Giggs messed up an attempted back-heel to allow Gareth Barry to run free down the left and lay the ball to Nasri, who set up Milner for a shot that went in off Jones.
The goal brought to an end a six-match run of clean sheets in the league for United, but City celebrations were short-lived as the leaders quickly pulled level.
Jones’ header from an inswinging Van Persie free-kick, which had already beaten goalkeeper Joe Hart, hit Kompany on the back, before flying into the net for an own-goal.
Both teams chased the winner, with Danny Welbeck heading straight at Hart and Ashley Young also on target, but it was the introduction of Aguero in place of Nasri with less than 20 minutes to go that proved decisive.
The Argentine, who started on the bench, but could be fully fit in time for the weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, picked the ball up on the edge of the penalty area and drifted past several defenders, before firing high into the net.
Players from both sides squared up as tempers frayed toward the end when United failed to put the ball out of play when Silva was down with a hamstring injury that Mancini said was likely to keep him out of the Chelsea game.
Ferguson wrote in his program notes: “How do we analyse this season — is it one of regret or celebration? For me it’s something of the proverbial curate’s egg, part bad, but with some great redeeming features.”
He would agree Monday’s result was not one of them.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely