SEVEN years ago Jamie Mackie scored the QPR goal that threatened to kill Manchester City’s title dream.
Chasing a first league crown in 44 years, all City had to do was match Manchester United’s result at Sunderland.
Jamie Mackie threatened to spoil the Manchester City party on the final day of the 2011-12 seasonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Joleon Lescott could not clear the ball as QPR went in front with 24 minutes remaining at the EtihadCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Lowly Rangers were the visitors to the Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2012 — a date now etched in the minds of fans on both sides of the city.
City were expected to waltz to the title against a team fighting to stay in the Premier League — but no one told Mackie.
When the striker scored to put QPR 2-1 up, City fans had to endure the most nervous half hour of their lives.
The agony was finally eased when Edin Dzeko scored an injury-time equaliser before Sergio Agueroooo won City the title.
Amid the madness, QPR stayed up after results elsewhere went their way.
Tonight, Mackie takes on City once again as Oxford host them in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals — but the tie has no chance of matching the drama of seven years ago.
He told SunSport: “That game was like a cup final where our fate was in our hands but it was an extremely tough task playing against a team that were going for the title.
“Usually in that scenario, one set of fans is delirious and the other goes home in tears. But on this occasion both sets of fans went away absolutely buzzing. When I scored, we were trying to be compact because we were down to ten men and it was 1-1, which was enough for us to stay up. We were on a counter-attack and I just gambled.
“I was playing right midfield and was next to the bench when they went up celebrating at 2-2 — I worked out we had stayed up by default.
“The lads at the back didn’t know we were safe. They had their heads in hands, thinking we had been relegated. Obviously it was crazy emotions going from that to realising we had stayed up.
“Aguero is the absolute best, isn’t he? I’m sure in situations like that there was only one player Man City wanted the ball to fall to and he slotted it against our keeper who had been unbelievable.
“It was not meant to be for us in terms of the game but it went down in history with the Aguero moment. To be part of it was amazing.”
Sergio Aguero produced one of the most dramatic moments in Premier League history with his last-gasp winnerCredit: Reuters
Mackie is now at Oxford United, who host Pep Guardiola’s side in the Carabao Cup quartersCredit: Rex Features
That unforgettable match paved the way for City’s dominance in the years since, as they have added three more league titles, an FA Cup and four League Cups.
Yet this season has been the most vulnerable Pep Guardiola’s side have looked since his inconsistent first season.
But rather than focus on any cracks emerging at City, Mackie, 34, wants Oxford to use the 4-0 win over West Ham early in the competition — and a solid League One campaign — as reasons to be optimistic.
The veteran, who would love to become a manager one day, added: “City have shown they’re an even better team now compared to 2012. It’s an incredibly difficult challenge but one our boys will relish.
“Everyone in our squad is in really good form, we’re having a really good season to date in the league.
“We want to go out on the pitch whoever the manager picks and play our way.
“I’m at the back end of my career, I know that. I’m relishing every moment and to be involved in a game like this, playing against the best in the Premier League, is amazing.
“I don’t know how many more opportunities like this I’ll get.”
Mackie joined QPR in 2010 just when R’s ace Raheem Sterling quit for Liverpool as a teenager. And he feels the England star will be an example Oxford’s kids can learn from if he plays tonight.
Mackie said: “He’s a one-in-a-billion type who is just ridiculously good. But he’s improving every year, which is all credit to his attitude.
“It’s a great lesson for our lads to show that while he’s obviously ridiculously talented, his attitude is amazing and it will show what it really takes to be a top player.”
Carabao Cup semi-final draw – Live stream, TV channel and start time as final four teams learn their fate
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
