Recalling the time when Vincent Kompany kept the blues ahead in the title race with his greatest ever goal….
As the title race heats up with City’s clash vs. Leicester this afternoon we take a moment to remember a Vincent Kompany classic against the upcoming opposition.
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It seems that despite all the adoration that Manchester City receives for their aesthetically-pleasing football and ability to win over and over again, a title race is always on the cards for the Citizens.
All we have to do is look back at the six Premier League titles that City have won and you’d see some of the most intense and tightly contested title races in the history of football. The reasons why City seems to always end up on the right side of history is due to iconic moments, moments that are embedded in the history of the club.
Such was the case during the 2018/19 season. City had just come off a record breaking 100 point season and were expected to repeat as champions easily. Liverpool seemed to take this personally as they made sure to push City as hard as anybody had pushed a reigning champion.
Heading into matchday 37, it was clear that whichever team failed to win their respective games would come in second and Liverpool were hungry for their first Premier League title. Drawing 2-2 against a Newcastle side that pales in comparison to the current one, Divock Origi scored in the 86th minute to give Liverpool a famous 3-2 victory and the lead at the top.
The pressure was all on Manchester City, who were welcoming Leicester City to the Etihad. A win was necessary for City to retake their slim one point lead at the top. However, things were far from going the champion’s way…
Kompany’s rocket goal saves Manchester City’s title charge
The game was not meant to be that difficult. City were on a 12 match winning streak and scoring goals for fun, as they often do. Whilst the pressure was certainly a lot higher than in the previous season, it seemed little could deter the Citizens’ run to another Premier League title.
Yet, nobody told Leicester City that they were meant to roll over. In fact, the Foxes did little offensively but were tough to break down. It seemed that every chance was being wasted and heading into the final 30 minutes, it looked like City’s charge to repeat as champions was coming to a close.
That is until the Leicester defence forgot to mark Vincent Kompany. Marching forward after receiving the ball from his half way line, the Foxes were all too content to let the captain run with the ball as long as the likes of Leroy Sane or Sergio Agüero were nowhere to be seen.
Despite everyone telling him to not shoot, that is exactly why Vinny did. From 30 yards out.
His only goal for City outside of the box was perhaps the greatest goal he ever scored for the club, and what a time to do it. That 70th minute Kompany screamer was enough to win City the win and eventually the title, as they would trash Brighton 4-1 to repeat as champions the following week.
Kompany’s legacy at City is more than just a single goal. He is one of the greatest captain in the history of the club and gave it his all every year however, few moments will be replayed as much as his goal against Leicester. Not only did it eventually give City the title but it’s just THAT good.