The semi-final just edges out the final for me, it was the best and most emotional day of my life. Butterflies in the morning coupled with the excitement of going to Wembley for the first time and it being against United. Then came the anxiety of watching them control the first half hour before we came into it. Trying to relax at half time was impossible, I didn't know what to do with myself, I just wanted the players to come back out and the match to carry on.
Then the goal, watching Yaya power past Vidic before stroking the ball under Van Der Sar brought a wave of unadulterated joy like I have never felt before, the place went fucking mental. Then the tension came, knowing that the year before we'd lost to 3 last minute winners made it worse. This was United, they were bound to score, it was inevitable, they always scored, but we were holding on.
Joe tipped Nani's deflected free kick onto the bar when it looked destined for the net. Zabba put his body on the line once again and United were down to ten; could this really happen? No, they'd still score, this was United after all, they always scored. Then came two moments from Kolarov which stand out in my mind for some reason; the first was one of the most composed bits of defending I've ever seen. I can't remember what minute it was but it was 80+, a cross comes in and facing his own goal he calmly nods the ball back to Joe, brilliant. The second was even better, we're into injury time now and United are throwing everything at us, a cross comes in and is half cleared to the edge of the box where it bounces up, Kolarov jumps with Rafael for a header and produces a perfect swan dive; arms spread, chest thrown out, 10 from the Russian judge. Mike Dean buys it; free-kick, the pressure subsides.
Then, possibly the best moment of the whole day, the most wondrous sound I have ever heard, the full-time whistle. It was like being hit by a wrecking ball of feeling; joy, relief, ecstasy and amazing happiness. I broke down, I'd been stood up all match singing my heart out but at that moment I lost the ability to stand. My Dad tried to pull me to my feet but it was no use, the tears were streaming at this point and I can honestly say I've never been as happy in all my life as I was at that moment. When I regained the use of my legs I moved towards my younger brother, grabbed him round the neck and kissed him on the side of the head. We're not usually very touchy feely as a family but on the coach ride home flicking through the photos my Dad had taken I saw he'd captured this moment perfectly and the framed photo sat on my desk is a physical reminder of a memory I will keep for the rest of my life.
My best day as a City fan.
