Sure, delivering a thrashing is a wonderful feeling and a welcome ego boost, but it doesn’t compare to the unbridled outpouring of emotion when a last gasp goal gives us a win we’d given up on.
It begs the question, which late strike was your favourite of the Pep Guardiola and Nick Cushing eras?
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And it is precisely that which we asked for the latest instalment of our reborn fan feature, #City30.
Raheem Sterling’s 96th minute winner against Southampton back in December 2017 was, unsurprisingly, amongst the contenders.
His superb 18-yard strike secured a club-record 12th consecutive Premier League victory and sparked wild celebrations at the Etihad Stadium – even the injured Benjamin Mendy got in on the act!
Steph Houghton’s 30-yard free-kick to secure a late FA WSL victory over Notts County in March 2016 was another worthy nomination, but it is was a second goal against Southampton that received the most votes.
Gabriel Jesus’ chip at St Mary’s Stadium on the final day of the 2017/18 season is your winner!
Jesus's winner to become the centurions incredible moment 💙💙 pic.twitter.com/upOm3T3mEP
— Rian_kennedy97 (@Rian_kennedy08) April 2, 2020
It is a strike steeped in significance.
City had already broken countless records on our march to the league title, but the Brazilian scored three minutes into injury time, with virtually the last kick of our season, to seal a 1-0 win that saw more records tumble.
Jesus’ effort ensured we finished the season with the biggest winning margin (19 points), the most away wins and points (16 and 50) and the most wins (32) in Premier League history.
However, the headline news gifted by Gabriel’s goal was that we became the only side in the history of the competition to reach 100 points in a single season.
The Centurions.
And what about the goal itself?
It had been a frustrating afternoon for City, who weren’t at our best on the South Coast that day.
Just seconds remained when Kevin De Bruyne arrowed a precise ball into Jesus’ path and, having breached the home side’s defensive line, the striker held his nerve to calmly lift the ball over Alex McCarthy’s head.
The delirium in the away end was matched only by Guardiola’s exuberant celebrations on the touchline, as everyone of a sky-blue persuasion basked in the glory of a moment which further confirmed this City side’s greatness.
Next up in #City30 is: Your favourite hat-trick…
Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, Pauline Bremer, Georgia Stanway and Jess Park have all netted trebles in recent years.
They got to take home the match ball, but will it earn them your nomination?
Let us know your thoughts on Twitter @ManCity using #City30