It was one of the most important and memorable days in Manchester City’s history.
With two games of the 2012 season remaining, City needed six points to secure the Club’s first league title in 44 years.
The more difficult fixture was the penultimate match away at Newcastle. Win that and we were almost there.
Yaya Toure, so often the man for the big occasion, delivered, scoring twice in the final 15 minutes as City won 2-0.
When Yaya made his 300th appearance for City earlier this season, Club journalist Rob Pollard penned an in-depth look at his time at the Etihad.
Here’s an extract describing the crucial day at St James’ Park.
“It was going to take something special for City reel United back in. The Old Trafford side began to falter and City hit form again, and in the penultimate match of the season, away at Champions League chasing Newcastle United, in one of the most important matches in the Club’s history, Toure delivered perhaps his most devastating display.
“Three points would see City go into the final day at home to QPR knowing a win would seal the title. With the score locked at 0-0, Nigel De Jong came off the bench in place of Nasri, allowing Toure to push further forward, a tactic used to great effect throughout the season.
“It paid dividends once again.
“With 20 minutes remaining, Toure played a one-two with Aguero on the edge of the box. As the ball came back into his path from the Argentine, Toure curled it first time past Tim Krul from 30 yards to spark scenes of jubilation in the away end. It was the first goal Newcastle had conceded at home in the league in 497 minutes of football, and it was perhaps the most important City had managed all season.
“And with 90 seconds remaining, he put the game beyond doubt, controlling Gael Clichy’s ball into the box with his right before firing past Krul to double City’s lead. For the first time all season, the famously cautious City fans sang: “We’re gonna win the league.” A first title in 44 years was in touching distance.
“Yaya is fantastic because he has everything,” Mancini said afterwards. “He is strong, quick, has good technique, and can play in different positions. He is like [Ruud] Gullit for me – a player of that kind.
“It is clear he has class – if he didn’t we wouldn’t have bought him. He also has big experience as he has played for Barça and has that winning mentality. But he is also a good guy, which is another important asset.
“His first goal was special, like the one he scored in the FA Cup final for us last year. This one may be more important if we can finish the season off.”
“Just like he had done 12 months earlier on those two glorious Wembley occasions, Toure had stepped up with City in desperate need of inspiration.”
Watch his first goal on that memorable day from every angle via the video above!
