5 Of the most iconic Manchester Derby goals

#2. Mario Balotelli in 2011

Mario Balotelli famously lifted his shirt in the 6-1 derby win at Old Trafford in 2011

During his three-year stint at Manchester City, Mario Balotelli made a habit of grabbing all the headlines on a weekly basis. Whether they were for his on-the-pitch exploits or his off-the-pitch shenanigans is another day’s story, but the Italian forward was no doubt one of the most talked-about subjects in England.

Balotelli’s arrogance was justified with his world-class potential, however, his controversial antics marred his career growth. City fans, nonetheless, will always remember him as one of the club’s most iconic players because of his many defining moments in a blue shirt, the top-most being the goal against Manchester United in the 2011/12 title-winning season.

Having won the FA Cup the previous year, Manchester City fans were desperate for their team to challenge their arch-rivals for the title that season. The Blues travelled to Old Trafford in October having started the season superbly but fans were not at their optimistic best because of their past failures at the home of the Reds.

Balotelli, however, had other ideas. The forward was a livewire in attack and went onto score two goals in an unimaginable 6-1 routing by the visitors. When James Milner squared the ball to the Italian midway through the first half, who was stationed outside the box, he opened his body and neatly slotted the ball past David de Gea.

The striker turned around and lifted his shirt which yelled ‘Why always me?’, days after he reportedly set his hotel room ablaze and became hot news in the media.

Balotelli added a second in the second half from another Milner cross as he opened the floodgates for Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and David Silva to cap a momentous day for Manchester City football club.