Vincent Kompany. Man mountain. Mancunian.
The Belgian’s arrival from Hamburg now retrospectively signals the start of Manchester City becoming the powerhouse of the Premier League they are today, and Kompany has been there every step of the way.
330 plus appearances and counting. 3 Premier League titles. 3 League Cups trophies. 1 FA Cup.
In commemoration of future Honorary Citizen of Manchester signing for the Blue side of the city on this day ten years ago, The Sportsman looks back at 3 of the best, and most significant headed goals by the City skipper.
Southampton 0-3 Manchester City (15th April 2017)
Kompany returned to the Manchester City line-up after a season blighted by injury. The trip down to St.Mary’s towards the back of the season came just ten days after making his first appearance since mid-November, predominantly due to a recurrent knee problem.
City had struggled for a breakthrough in the first half before Kompany pinged a header in from a David Silva cross just eight minutes after the interval. His celebrations in front of the rapturous travelling City fans were not only for the breaking open the deadlock and setting City off to collect yet another three points, but of pure joy and getting back onto the pitch after having watched his beloved team from the sidelines.
Manchester City 2-0 West Ham (11th May 2014)
A topsy-turvy season saw City competing with Liverpool for the title, this time with the Cityzens under the stewardship of Manuel Pellegrini after they carted off Roberto Mancini.
Liverpool seemed determined to win their first title of the Premier League era- something United fans couldn’t bear to see especially in a catastrophic David Moyes season- but fell at the final hurdle: Stephen Gerrard’s fateful slip against Chelsea, and the infamous Crystanbul put City in pole position.
With City simply needing a win or a draw at home at the Etihad, Vincent Kompany made sure the overall result was without doubt with a rare tap-in from a Samir Nasri cross just after half-time to leave the red side of Merseyside heartbroken once again.
- Terry: 5
- Keane: 4
- Kompany: 3
He becomes only the 3rd man to win 3+
#MCFC
Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United (30th April 2012)
Saving the most memorable ’til last, Kompany’s header past Utd goalkeeper David De Gea at the Etihad was simply poetry for the long-suffering City fans, and will go down long in the memory for many a Blue.
City had been the far superior team in the city throughout the season backed by Sheikh Mansour’s millions, demonstrated by the infamous Old Trafford 6-1 rout.
However in the New Year, City felt the title would yet be eluding them for another season, as their Red neighbours started to gain momentum and gained a significant eight point lead on the Blues.
However, a slip-up against Everton by the Red Devils gave City hope and met United at the Etihad six points behind with a game in hand with two more games of the season remaining.
It was Kompany who rose highest in first half injury time and delivered the perfect advantage to the team they had seen comprehensively dominate the English league for over two decades.
For many, along with Sergio Aguero’s final day winner, the goal that won the league for Manchester City for the first time since 1968.
