There have been plenty of players with an eye for the spectacular.
A certain Mr Y. Toure scored many a goal which left us celebrating with wide eyed amazement at just how far out he had dared to shoot from.
Elano was another, and his 30-yard thunderbolt against Newcastle United was amongst the nominees for the latest instalment of #City30, presented by Nexen.
As was Steve Mackenzie’s stunning 20-yard volley in the 1981 FA Cup final replay, which was THE long-distance goal for fans of a certain vintage.
However, there was only ever going to be one winner…
The stars aligned for Vincent Kompany on Monday 6 May 2019.
We had been here before. He had been here before.
In 2012 the Belgian rose highest to head home from a corner to help City seize control of the title race with a 1-0 win over Manchester United.
Seven years later the stakes were just as high.
City were on top but struggling to click in the final third against a stubborn Leicester City and the tension was mounting.
Pep Guardiola’s side had to win to keep our destiny in our own hands going into the final day of a ding dong battle with Liverpool for the Premier League title.
Step forward Vincent Kompany.
Picking the ball up 30-yards goal the Belgian advanced unchallenged.
He wasn’t going to shoot was he?
Sergio Aguero certainly hoped not and implored the captain not to, but Kompany would say after: “I’ve not come this far in my career for young players to tell me when I can take a shot or not. I just took it.”
By ‘took it’ he means arrowed an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the top right corner, which gave Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel no chance.
And the Etihad erupted.
It was a sensational strike, enhanced only by the setting and situation.
One of football’s great leaders, Kompany provided inspiration when his team needed it most, in front of an adoring home crowd.
It would prove to be his last game at the Etihad Stadium and it was a fitting sign off.
A legendary act from a legendary player.
In Friday’s edition of #City30, presented by Nexen, we want to hear about your favourite saves.
Which keeper has kept the ball out against all odds? Who has clawed away a certain goal or made himself big to deny someone from point blank range.
Share your nominations on Twitter @ManCity using the hashtag #City30!
