champion godfather

Chapter 867

When Chen Jian was still in the Netherlands and his agent couldn't tell what to do in the future, Nottingham Forest faced the penultimate opponent in the league-Newcastle.

This game is played at the same time as Arsenal's away game against Tottenham.

The north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham may be the toughest bone to crack for Arsenal in the last eight rounds of the league.Because this is not an ordinary league game, this is a derby.

Twain also paid close attention to this game. Chris Rack listened to the latest game information from the radio with his earphones on. If there was any update, he would immediately tell Twain next to him.

The players of Nottingham Forest also understand what this round of the league means to them, and they are also very concerned about the Arsenal game. It can be said that the whole team is half-hearted.

This situation was not what Dunn wanted to see, so he had to keep reminding the players to concentrate before the game.

The game has entered the second half, and the score between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle is still 0:0.On the other side, Arsenal lead Tottenham 1-0.

These two scores are a bit frustrating.

Twain also felt that he was obsessed with how others treated him badly, so he got up from his seat, instead of listening to Chris Lack's "verbal broadcast", he yelled into the field to cheer up the players, Must score.

At the same time, on the other side, at White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspur's home ground, although the team led 1-0, Wenger was not feeling well.

Sometimes the score doesn't really reflect a game, especially in a game like a derby.

Although Arsenal led by one goal, they are now overwhelmed by Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur fans also know the importance of this game. Some people even played a mutual encouragement slogan in the stands to Nottingham Forest, which is fighting in the north: "The league is for Forest, and the FA Cup is for us".

As Arsenal's mortal enemy, they don't mind pulling Arsenal down, and they don't mind watching Arsenal lose the championship. The pain of their opponents is their greatest joy and happiness.

Wenger stood anxiously on the sidelines, constantly reminding the team to pay attention to the counterattack.His brows were furrowed into a ball, his expression serious.

On the other side, Tang En gritted his teeth and stared at the field, clenched his fists and tensed his body.

As head coaches, the pressure on both of them is not light.

If Arsenal still wins this game, then they basically win the championship ahead of schedule.Nottingham Forest is only theoretically possible-the probability of Arsenal losing 0:8 in the last round and then Forest winning 6:0 is too small...

Tang En looked at his watch. There were still 27 minutes until the end of the game.In other words, there are only 27 minutes until the end of the season.

Carl Spike came to St. James' Park in person, where he wanted to witness Twain's defeat with his own eyes.

※ ※ ※

Tang En was hesitating whether to make a substitution.Newcastle was determined not to let the Forest team take three points at their home court. They basically ignored the offense and defended all the way, so that Bentley's pass could not be passed at all.Does this situation require Bentley to be replaced?

After another 2 minutes, the Forest team besieged the gate of Newcastle, but there was a lot of thunder and little rain.Tang En gritted his teeth and made up his mind.He sent Chris Lark to call back Mork, who was warming up.

Newcastle are now obviously focusing on defending wide crosses, so give them a little different change.

Mo Ke ran to Tang En's side and called out, "Boss."

Tang En, who was paying attention to the situation on the field, turned his head and glanced at Mo Ke, then pulled him over, pointed to the field and said to him, "I need you to play and use your breakthrough to cause some trouble for Newcastle's defense. Do you understand?"

Mork nodded: "I know how to do it, boss."

"Remember, we must let their defense line mess up."

"Okay, boss."

"Go!" Tang En slapped Mo Ke on the back.

The fourth official held up a substitution sign on the sidelines. Nottingham Forest requested a substitution. No. 7 Bentley went off and No. 17 Mok came on.

※ ※ ※

At White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspur also changed players. The 34-year-old veteran Michael Owen came on and replaced Croatian defender Kerluka.

When the 34-year-old Owen appeared on the stage, some of the visiting Arsenal fans let out a burst of laughter.

Is there no one available for Tottenham Hotspur?To send such a person up who can't even run.

The narrator also couldn't figure out what Harry Redknapp's substitution meant.

Irving is 34 years old. He has been injured frequently this season and has not played a few games on behalf of the team at all. What can such a player whose physical fitness and state cannot be guaranteed be replaced?
※ ※ ※

"Hey, Tony, there's been a substitution over there." Chris Lak said to Dunn while pressing the headset.

"Huh?" Tang En didn't care much about the substitution at White Hart Lane, he was paying attention to Mo Ke's performance.Just now he broke through again but brought the ball to a dead end, making him, the head coach, stomp his feet anxiously off the court.

"Tottenham made a substitution and Owen came on."

This name sounded familiar to Tang En, he was stunned for a while before he realized it. "Owen? Michael Owen? The one who played at Liverpool and Newcastle before?"

Chris Lark nodded.

Tang En rolled his eyes. "Has he not retired yet? I thought he had. I haven't seen him this season."

"He's had a lot of injuries and hasn't played a full game this season," explained Chris Lack.

"What was old Harry thinking? Forget it..." He sighed, pointing to the mini radio in Chris Rack's arms, "Turn that shit off of you. Don't worry about anyone else, let's kick our own The game... can be regarded as no regrets."

When he heard that the old guy Owen was playing, Dunn even had the idea that Harry Redknapp planned to give the championship to Arsenal.So he has decided to retaliate wildly against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup final, not only to win, but also to beat Tottenham to the point where they can't fight back, making them lose face.

Chris Lack squirmed his lips and reached in, but didn't turn off the radio.Deep in his heart, he was still expecting some miracle to happen...

※ ※ ※

On December 34 last year, Michael Owen spent his [-]th birthday in a hospital bed.At that time, he had just suffered another serious injury in training, and everyone asserted that he would retire.As a result, he did not announce that he would retire, but said that he would actively treat and recover and prepare to return to the court.At that time, many people took this as a joke.

But now, he did return to the court, although there is one game and 21 minutes left before the end of the season.

Arsenal's goal was just below the stands of the visiting fans, and he could clearly hear the jeers coming from the stands.

"Hey, old man! Why haven't you retired yet?"

"Can you still run, Michael?"

"Be careful not to get hurt again! If you want to fall, remember not to fall in our penalty area!"

He was deaf.

He has experienced peaks and troughs in his career, and he has seen all kinds of wind and rain. Such provocations can no longer shake his fighting spirit.

"This is really a combination of older strikers..." The commentator kept shaking his head when he saw this scene, "32-year-old Pavlyuchenko, 34-year-old Michael Owen. Is Harry Redknapp planning to use such a team? A combination of strikers breaking through Arsenal's defence?"

Wenger turned his head and glanced at Tottenham Hotspur coach Redknapp who was also standing on the sidelines. The old man had no expression on his face and was very calm.

He is behind, but he seems to be more able to hold his breath than the leading Arsene Wenger.

Many Tottenham fans couldn't understand the appearance of Michael Owen. They thought that Redknapp had given up the game, otherwise why would such an old man come up?There were boos from the stands against Irving.

For Owen, it was a betrayal... even his own people were booing him.

※ ※ ※

Mock managed to get past Spanish left-back Jose Enrique who was defending him, and instead of trying to pass the ball he continued to burrow in, confusing Newcastle's defence.

Argentine central defender Coloccini dropped Ibisevic to make up the defense, and Mo Ke stepped on his bicycle quickly and dialed the football to the bottom line.Coloccini wasn't fooled, he just pasted it up to prevent him from cutting inside.

With his back to Coloccini, Mok suddenly knocked the football between the Argentine's legs with his heel, followed by him taking Coloccini as the axis, turning 180 degrees, and slipping in from near the baseline!

Coloccini subconsciously stretched out his feet to hook the ball, but right in front of his eyes he saw the football being swept away by Mork, and his leg just hooked onto Mork's foot...

I can imagine what will happen next on my knees.

Coloccini felt a chill in his heart.

Mork screamed and fell to the ground.

Goalkeeper Tim Krul hugged the football, and he also heard the referee's whistle.

"Penalty kick!" The commentator exclaimed excitedly. Nottingham Forest, which had been besieged for more than 70 minutes without scoring a goal, took advantage of a breakthrough to score a chance.

The Forest players on the field were equally excited. They rushed up to hug Mok, patted his head, and beat his chest.Obviously these people don't know that Arsenal are still ahead on the other side.

In comparison, Nottingham Forest's coaching bench is much calmer. These coaches are people who know what happened at White Hart Lane. Even if a penalty kick is scored, as long as Arsenal continue to maintain this score until the end, Forest will still win. Less than a championship.

※ ※ ※

"Forest got a penalty," Wenger's assistant leaned over him.

Wenger grinned.

Even if the Forest team wins on penalties, it doesn't make sense. As long as they win the game here, the championship will almost certainly belong to Arsenal.He didn't want to comment on how his opponent was, let alone a dead opponent.

He remembered one thing. Twain said that a one-goal lead is the most dangerous score in the world. It is really dangerous for Arsenal to lead 1-0. He should remind the players to strengthen their offense and try to score another goal. If they don't, they can celebrate the league championship in the rival's stadium. There is simply nothing else in the world that can be more refreshing than this.

He got up from his seat and didn't care whether Forest's penalty was scored.

※ ※ ※

"Ibisevic's penalty! Goal!!"

The narrator yelled excitedly, but the celebrations on the forest coach's bench were very limited.They just got up and clapped their hands, not even hugging each other.

On the other hand, the Forest players on the field were very excited, hugging each other, and there was only one more arhat.

Seeing the players like this, Tang En turned his head and glanced at Chris Lark.

Chris Lark knew what he meant, and quickly replied: "It's still 1:0 over there."

Tang En thought for a while: "Don't tell them the truth."

"If they ask us..."

"Let's say Tottenham have evened!" Dunn gritted his teeth.

※ ※ ※

After the goal, Ibisevic broke free from the arms of his teammates and ran to the sidelines.He wanted to ask about the situation over there.

"It's flat! It's flat!" Chris Lak waved his hand. "Tottenham equalized!"

Ibisevic looked at Tang En suspiciously, because he didn't see much excitement from the boss's face.

"Go back to the field and continue the game! You don't care what others do!" Tang En had to yell at him. "Play your game well first!"

Ibisevic and the players turned and ran back to the court. Only Wood looked at Tang En and did not act immediately.

Although the coach told them that Tottenham had equalized, the people around them did not have any happy expressions, and the Forest fans in the stands did not make any special actions to remind them. This "fact" is really suspicious.

"I think our acting skills are very poor..." Chris Lark complained and walked back to the coach's bench.

Tang En stood on the sidelines with his arms folded, ignoring his complaints.

※ ※ ※

"Strengthen the attack, press up! Press up!" Wenger gestured to the players on the sidelines, "Neither Owen nor the Russian is a speed forward, so don't be afraid of their counterattack!"

Arsenal's defense was getting higher and higher, and they even forgot that this was a derby.

Wilshere's pass was intercepted, and Arsenal's defenders still did not return to defense. They were waiting for their midfielders to intercept the ball, and then continued to attack.

Tottenham passed the ball.Modric made a direct long pass in the backcourt, and a white figure passed in front of Arsenal's defense, catching up with the pass that fell from the sky!
"Michael Owen?"

Even the narrator was surprised, he used a questioning tone.

Owen glanced back at the Arsenal defender behind him, then turned to the linesman, who had to make sure he was offside.The linesman didn't say anything, just followed him to the bottom line.

Owen cast his eyes forward again, and Almunia was hesitating whether to attack or retreat.

He didn't hesitate, looked away, and moved the football forward!
Huge cheers erupted from the stands. At this moment, everyone was cheering for Irving. Tottenham fans prayed that he could be ten years younger and become the "wind chasing boy" again.The Arsenal fans were cursing him for falling to the ground.

※ ※ ※

"Michael Owen..." Chris Rack, who was halfway there, stopped suddenly, listened attentively, and murmured.

"What?" Dunn frowned.

"He's dribbling...not offside...single-handed..." Chris Lack was muttering intermittently.

※ ※ ※

"He's dribbling the ball! He's very fast, not offside! Not offside at all! What is Senderos doing? What hand is he raising? Back to defense! This is a one-shot!" The commentator couldn't help complaining. "This is not the sprint speed that a 34-year-old veteran should have! Michael Owen! He seems to have returned to 16 years ago in an instant..."

Owen's speed is indeed very fast, so fast that even Wenger was taken aback.

Almunia decided to attack because Irving was about to enter the penalty area.

As soon as he rushed out, he saw Owen's right foot lightly tapped while running...

The football just passed over his head and crashed into the goal behind him.

At that moment, there was not even a sound at White Hart Lane.

※ ※ ※

"Single-handed...Almunia strikes...a lob shot...the ball is in!! The ball is in!!" Chris Lak suddenly roared wildly, jumping up from the ground. "The goal is scored! Tony!! Tony! The goal is scored!! Tottenham equalized! This time it is really equalized!!"

He turned around and pointed at the radio in his hand and shouted at Tang En.

Tang En didn't ask: "Really?" Instead, he grabbed the earphones and stuffed them in his ears.

"...Michael Owen's beautiful lob shot! Almunia didn't react at all! It's pathetic, the whole Arsenal team didn't expect Owen to have such a sprint speed! A negligence in their defense gave Owen this opportunity, He ran for 30 meters with the ball and tied the score 1-1 with a beautiful lob!! I heard that Nottingham Forest just took the lead against Newcastle with a penalty kick, and now Tony Twain's team is back to life !!"

At the same time, there was a sudden burst of cheers in the stands of the visiting team.Those forests closer to the field shouted to the fans waving their phones and radios into the field.

"They scored! They scored!! Tottenham, Tottenham scored!"

"Tony!" Chris Lak clenched his fists and gritted his teeth as he looked at Tang En. "A miracle happened!!"

Tang En didn't smile on his face, he was even a little dazed.really happened?Arsenal really equalized?Could it be that there was a delay and Arsenal scored right after?He looked around aimlessly, and stuffed the earphones into Chris Lak's arms. "The game is not over yet, it's too early to be happy."

He turned around and yelled into the arena:

"One more goal! Another goal! Seal the victory for me! Be careful of their counterattack... cheer me up!!"

This time the players of the Forest team believed that Tottenham had really equalized the score, and the morale of the whole team was boosted.For a while, the entire Newcastle team was pressed in their defensive third area.

※ ※ ※

"Owen! Owen! Owen!" A voice resounded from the stands in White Hart Lane.

Veteran Irving ran with open arms on the field. He has not enjoyed such cheers and feelings for a long time. The cool wind blows on his face, and he feels as if he has wings and is flying freely between the sky and the earth.

When he was seriously injured this season, he was persuaded to retire and have a decent ending.But he said: "Injury is like my wife. I have long been used to getting along with it day and night. I will not retire because I want to continue to play football. I think I can continue to play football."

At that time, everyone laughed at him for being stubborn and talking big.

Now, all the people who were mocking him and ridiculing him at the beginning have shut up.Surprise, embarrassment, shame, and respect appeared on the face.

In an instant, even injuries were defeated by this strong veteran.He slapped those who were surprised when they saw him on the court: "Is this old guy not retired yet?"It's such a joy to fan...

Wenger lowered his head, and no one could see the expression on his face at this moment.upset?anger?Unwilling?Suspect?have no choice?

None of this matters anymore.

Wenger has always believed that after a professional player is 30 years old, his career and competitive status begin to decline, so he always spares no effort to clean up those "older players" in the team who are over 30 years old, and cultivate them for himself. There's nothing wrong with young talent offering room to develop and Arsenal agree with his vision of the club.

But today's scene is really ironic.He was defeated by a veteran whom he had never valued. He had nothing to say about his defeat, and he couldn't even find a reason...

What can he say?What kind of expression should he make in front of the camera lens?
Only bowed his head in silence.

※ ※ ※

The next day, when news of Nottingham Forest regaining hope of winning the league title and Arsenal's draw with veteran Owen's goal hit the newspapers, Owen took out a postcard from his mailbox.

It reads:

Your goal saved a life.Thank you, Michael.

Not signed.

(End of this chapter)