It remains one of the most dramatic afternoons in Premier League history. On May 13, 2012, Manchester City sealed their first Premier League title with almost the final kick of the season, Sergio Agueros stoppage-time strike sealing a 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers and breaking Manchester United hearts in the process.
Following the chaos of Manchester Citys comeback, accusations and conspiracy theories have swirled. Some, including former Manchester United man Wayne Rooney, have claimed QPR had gone easy on City in the dying minutes after hearing their own safety was confirmed via results elsewhere.
Rooney has questioned QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kennys performance that afternoon, as well as images of striker Djibril Cisse apparently celebrating with Citys stars post-game.
Djibril Cisse: I dont care about Man City: Rooney took out his frustrations on me. Its not my fault
"Paddy Kenny should have done better for a couple of the goals," Rooney formerly said. "City get the second goal and QPR kick it straight back to them and that's never been questioned I find that strange.
"Djibril Cisse, celebrating after the game with the City players, but yes, listen, it's a historic moment in the Premier League, so I'm sure that, if you are not involved as a Manchester United player, that's probably one of the greatest moments in the league."
Now, over a decade later, Cisse is hitting back at the idea his side rolled over to gift City the title, insisting those claims are disrespectful
Im not going to take this accusation any longer, Cisse tells FourFourTwo on behalf of Poker Strategy. I was celebrating with Samir Nasri. I didnt celebrate with Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero or anybody else. I celebrated with my brother, Samir, who had been a friend of mine for 15 years.
I was happy for my friend and also that we managed to stay up. I dont care about Man City. My friend finally won the Premier League after many years in England and I was happy for him and also for me. Thats all.
Cisses frustration is understandable. The Frenchman, who had joined QPR midway through that season, scored six goals in just eight starts to help the club avoid relegation. On that famous day at the Etihad, QPR went 21 up despite being reduced to ten men after Joey Bartons red card. For much of the second half, they defended heroically, with goalkeeper Kenny producing a string of saves as City poured forward in desperation.
Yet even as Citys comeback began in stoppage time, Cisse insists there was never any question of his side easing off.
MANCHESTER CITY Get to the Etihad Stadium with Seat Unique
Manchester United lost the Premier League title because they dropped points throughout the season, he says. It was nothing to do with me or QPR. What Rooney said isnt cool. He took out his frustrations on me. Its not my fault.
If we had wanted Man City to win the league, would it not have been a little risky to have waited until the very last minute to let them score? We could have let them win 40 or 50 and gone home. But we played a strong team, the manager wanted to win that game. It wasnt our reserve team.
Indeed, QPR were fighting for survival, and results elsewhere notably Boltons draw at Stoke meant they were safe only after the final whistle. Whats more, Queens Park Rangers led until the 92nd minute and even threatened on the counter once Citys comeback began. Agueros winner was seen as a sucker punch.
