Homestead
We had finally clawed our way to the top of the table for the first time this season after fixture 28, although we had a game in hand for a while beforehand, City were at one point 9 points clear & we were only top on goal difference.
The first challenge to stay top was Chelsea away where after going behind the team pulled off a quality come back to win 3-2 including a brace from Franco. Next was Man City away, who could pull back level after slipping 3 behind - In an end to end match which saw Vertonghen sent off and Aguero miss a penalty it finished 3-3. The next game was Newcastle at home where i was forced to play 3 at the back because of suspensions and injuries and immediately it was a mistake, falling 2-0 behind before 25mins; but much like Arsenal did against Spurs just last week with some harsh words at half time we turned it around and secured a 5-2 victory. A 7-0 victory against Wolves was the stand out game amongst the others which we all won. Alex Song saw red in this game for a challenge that prompted the text commentary to say Inch Perfect Tackle.
Despite beating Man Utd 6-2, City lost to relegation candidates Villa, Everton & drew with Norwich which helped secure our 5th successive Premier League Title.
Final League Standings
League Position History
FA Cup Double
For the first time we've won back to back FA Cups, but this was by far the most challenging.
After beating City away 3-0 in the fourth round we had a home tie with Blackburn which was a comfortable 3-1 win.The sixth round drew us away at Everton, who had beaten us before and looked like doing again after going infront but the lads turned it around to win 2-1. The semi final was with Chelsea, who were struggling at the moment, but that didn't stop them scoring twice in the first 15mins and I feared the cup run was finished; but that man Franco was there again to score twice in a majestic 4-2 comeback.
The Final was a tough task of an In Form Liverpool. However it was a rather dry match if I'm honest, we totally dominated it and carried a 2-0 lead for an hour before Carroll made it 2-1 in 86" - Franco got his second of the game in the 89th minute to round off a thorough performance.
Best of the Best
The Champions League was a rollercoaster ride this year many teams I expected to face had been knocked out early and the competition was wide open for challengers to our title. The first team in our way was Rangers who battled hard for a 2-2 home victory - we soon remedied the situation with a 4-0 home victory ourselves.
Next was a team who to my surprise, after 5 years, had never faced before, Barcelona. This game also marked my 300th in management. I thought for sure we would lose as we had a number of injuries at the time; but we gave it everything and managed to get 0-0 at Nou Camp despite the best efforts of our old captain Van Persie. The home tie didn't go exactly to plan as we fell behind very early on and it stayed 0-1 until half time. I unleashed fury at the poor performance and by 50mins we were 2-1 up, further helped with a strike from Cavani at 63". A little doubt was cast on 87" when sanchez pulled one back but Eden Hazard rounded off a well deserved 4-2 victory in the 89th minute.
Lyon knocked out Bayern to setup our semi final meeting - which started in France. I realised I immediately underestimated them when they were 2-0 up inside the half hour. More words of anger were needed at half time and we pulled it back to 2-2 going into the home tie. The french side gave us a strong challenge but we came out eventual 1-0 winners at the Emirates.
Sevilla had turned around a 2-0 deficit to beat Marseille in the semi final, I wasn't going to underestimate them at Ibrox for the final. The only previous meeting between us was the Super Cup just 9 months earlier. Bar an injury to Gervinho the squad was at full strength for the game and started controlling the game from the first whistle, Hazard opening the scoring with a superb individual effort in the 14th minute. However it took my former player, Park Chu Young just 5mins to pull it back level. Hazard wasn't happy about this and scored a brilliant free kick just 3 minute later. Cavani added a third moments after half time before Wilshere completed the victory. Our 3rd straight Champions League title!
In Other News
Hazard's first goal in the final earnt him goal of the competition while Sigurdsson was named European Player of the Year, Gylfi also got Goal of the Season.
Hazard's first goal in the final earnt him goal of the competition while Sigurdsson was named European Player of the Year, Gylfi also got Goal of the Season.
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