Three unsung Man City heroes who helped Sergio Aguero's famous 93:20 goal happen

13.05.2022 - 21:25 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Sergio Aguero will forever be associated with the final day of the 2011/12 Premier League season.

On May 13, 2012, the Argentine striker scored a late, late goal to win Manchester City their first ever Premier League title, capping a remarkable 3-2 win against Queens Park Rangers, having trailed as the clock hit 90 minutes.

Aguero's title-winning strike, better known as the 93:20 goal, is arguably the most famous, dramatic and inspiring moment in City's 128-year history. It was a moment that freed City from the 'typical City' curse, kickstarted an era of dominance and reduced grown men to tears.

However, Aguero was not the only hero that day. Without the understated contributions of others, Aguero would never have got the chance to write his name into football folklore. MEN Sport looks at those unsung stars of 2011/12:

READ MORE:Dressing room hiding, Mancini's curses and the star who invaded the pitch: the inside story of Sergio Aguero's earth-shaking Man City goal

Mario Balotelli

It felt like Mario Balotelli had put the nail in the coffin of City's title hopes when he was sent off at Arsenal, with the Blues going on to lose 1-0 and fall eight points behind Manchester United.

But the frustrating Italian, loved regardless by City fans, more than made up for his lack of discipline. Balotelli only assisted one goal in his entire City career — but he couldn't have picked a better time to do it.

Receiving the ball from Aguero with his back to goal, the striker did brilliantly to hold off the challenge of Anton Ferdinand and stretch to prod the ball back into the path of his teammate. We all know what happened next, but without Balotelli's sense of timing, selflessness and determination to not lose the ball, it might never