The 1-0 derby in 2012 and the Wembley semi-final the year previously are probably the joint most nervous I've been before any City game. Closely followed by the FA Cup and Champions League finals last year and the away at Newcastle in 2012. Didn't stress myself up into a migraine like I did at Wembley in 2011 but I'll be honest, about 10 minutes before that 1-0 derby I took the only shit I've ever done at the Etihad. The occasion got the better of me.
When the full time whistle went, there was a bloke one row down and across the aisle from me - we'd been looking at each other while celebrating goals all season, especially Aguero's last minute goal against Villarreal when we found ourselves dancing and jumping the aisle together. After Kompany sent it into the sky for full-time I went straight to him, gave him a massive hug, and just said "We've done it, mate. We've done it!"
After the QPR game two weeks later we didn't get chance to say anything to each other because there was too much going on, even after full-time, but while the podium and stages were being brought onto the pitch we managed to wave and smile. But the outpouring of emotion after that 1-0 derby, I'm surprised we got it over the line because, leaving the ground, it really felt like we'd already done it. We were that high on adrenaline.
A special mention has to go to Roberto Mancini standing up to Ferguson that night. The first City manager in history to look Alex Ferguson in the eye, show him no respect, and make him blink first. He carried the club with him in that moment. It all burned down horribly for Roberto a year after, of course, but in that moment on the touchline with Ferguson he cemented his legacy as the man who finally, finally told Fergie he wasn't having any bullshit.
When the full time whistle went, there was a bloke one row down and across the aisle from me - we'd been looking at each other while celebrating goals all season, especially Aguero's last minute goal against Villarreal when we found ourselves dancing and jumping the aisle together. After Kompany sent it into the sky for full-time I went straight to him, gave him a massive hug, and just said "We've done it, mate. We've done it!"
After the QPR game two weeks later we didn't get chance to say anything to each other because there was too much going on, even after full-time, but while the podium and stages were being brought onto the pitch we managed to wave and smile. But the outpouring of emotion after that 1-0 derby, I'm surprised we got it over the line because, leaving the ground, it really felt like we'd already done it. We were that high on adrenaline.
A special mention has to go to Roberto Mancini standing up to Ferguson that night. The first City manager in history to look Alex Ferguson in the eye, show him no respect, and make him blink first. He carried the club with him in that moment. It all burned down horribly for Roberto a year after, of course, but in that moment on the touchline with Ferguson he cemented his legacy as the man who finally, finally told Fergie he wasn't having any bullshit.