SWR: Chapter 822/824

Chapter 822: Manchester United Is in Danger

The second half hadn't begun yet. As the players stood in their respective halves, preparing for kickoff, a light rain fell over the Etihad Stadium, giving the atmosphere a sense of looming tragedy and a chilling breeze.

"It feels like a tragedy is unfolding tonight!" said Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray.

Raindrops slid down their faces, but all the Manchester City players wiped the water away with their hands and focused their eyes firmly on Manchester United.

This startled the Red Devils players on the other side, and many of them had a bad feeling.

The boss was right—Manchester City was going to strike back.

During the halftime break, Ferguson had already predicted that Manchester City wouldn't go down without a fight. He had reminded his players to stay alert in the second half, especially at the start. Everyone knew that Gao Shen was very good at setting the tone early in the game.

The Red Devils were fully prepared. Especially after seeing the determined expressions on the faces of the Manchester City players, they all understood what was coming.

Hmph, a counterattack?

Dream on!

Manchester United weren't to be underestimated either, and the Red Devils were a team filled with pride and confidence.

After being suppressed by Manchester City over the past three seasons, the accumulated frustration had made them restless.

As soon as the whistle blew and Manchester City's attacking trio surged forward to launch their assault, Manchester United's players took the initiative and pressed aggressively into City's midfield and defensive line.

Rooney spearheaded the pressing up front.

After Manchester City played the ball back, their two center-backs spread wide and exchanged passes to evade pressure from United's attackers.

But Manchester United's pressing in the midfield and final third was relentless. Ferguson had made it clear—he wanted to pin City back right from the start.

Midfielders Sneijder, Lass Diarra, and Carrick all pushed up aggressively, forcing Manchester City to pass the ball back into the penalty area, where Neuer had to step up.

Neuer controlled the ball near the edge of the box, then launched it with a long kick to the front line.

Suárez held off Phil Jones and managed to get into position, but when he controlled the ball and tried to turn, the touch was a bit heavy and the ball was cleared by Ferdinand.

The ball dropped near the halfway line. David Silva stepped up to challenge for it, but before he could get a touch, Lass Diarra intercepted it.

The two sides started exchanging possession near midfield.

Lichtsteiner suddenly burst forward from the right, beating Nani to intercept the ball and striding ahead. With Robben now operating on the right side, Lichtsteiner cut inside decisively, but was pulled down from the side and behind by Evra, who had chased back all the way.

The referee rushed over, showed Evra a yellow card, and awarded Manchester City a free kick on the right side of the final third.

"Evra is protesting, insisting his challenge wasn't enough to bring his opponent down and suspecting a dive."

"But you have to say, Lichtsteiner's sudden burst forward was dangerous."

"The Swiss full-back is strong at both ends, but since joining Manchester City, he's been far more active in attack."

"Especially this season, he's made himself a constant threat on the right flank."

"Let's see what Manchester City can make of this free kick."

…

Gao Shen called Gareth Bale over to the touchline.

They were standing close, and the moment Gao Shen shouted, the Welsh winger ran over.

"Confident in this position?" Gao Shen asked.

Gareth Bale was known for his powerful left-footed free kicks, and he practiced them regularly. This spot was about 25 meters from goal—perfect for him.

The Welshman glanced at the goal and then the ball's placement, before nodding firmly. "Leave it to me!"

He quickly ran back onto the pitch and made his way to the ball.

Robben, Suárez, and David Silva—all capable free-kick takers—were discussing who should take it. But when they saw Bale coming over with a clear plan, they didn't say a word.

After wishing him luck, they all cleared the area.

The Welshman didn't even want a run-up partner.

He wiped the ball clean, placed it carefully on the grass, and lined himself up for a left-footed strike, retreating slowly to the right.

He was a left-footed player, and this angle was perfect for him.

Manchester United lined up a six-man wall. Manchester City placed De Bruyne in the middle of the wall.

When the referee blew the whistle, Gareth Bale began his run-up.

Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea stood slightly toward the center, wary of a shot toward the far post. The wall already covered the near post, which allowed him more time to react.

But Bale took a quick step, planted his right foot, and swung his left boot through the ball, sending a curling strike toward goal.

The ball had a low trajectory, and De Bruyne, in the wall, clearly ducked, disrupting Manchester United's line. Bale's free kick flew directly over the wall.

It was so quick that De Gea barely had time to react. As he dove, the ball had already struck the inside of the right post and bounced into the net.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"

"Less than two minutes into the second half, Manchester City break through Manchester United's defense!"

"Gareth Bale with a direct free kick to equalize for Manchester City!"

"2-1!"

"Bale's strike was pinpoint, and the angle was nasty. It kissed the post and went in—De Gea was left helpless."

After scoring, Bale sprinted off the pitch, ran full speed to the corner, and slid on his knees in front of the fans, letting out a wild cheer as the stands erupted.

Gao Shen was just as fired up on the touchline, but he quickly signaled for the players to return to position.

Manchester City needed to press on.

…

The game resumed.

As soon as Manchester United kicked off, Manchester City turned up the pressure.

The Red Devils tried to build out wide and entered City's half. Nani attempted a breakthrough on the left and crossed into the box, but Neuer came off his line and plucked the ball from the air just outside the penalty spot.

Neuer quickly launched a counterattack with a throw to Jérôme Boateng.

The German center-back controlled the ball and sent a long pass into the front third.

Suárez, with his back to Phil Jones, brought the ball down on his chest.

Phil Jones and Carrick pressed from either side, trying to steal the ball. But Suárez used his quick footwork to shield it, keeping it between the two defenders before playing it through to David Silva on the left.

The Spanish midfielder took a touch, looked up, and immediately recalled Gao Shen's halftime instructions.

More switches!

Silva quickly played a diagonal ball with his left foot, sending it to the right channel.

It landed right in the defensive gap. No United player was there.

Robben made a forward run and reached the ball near the edge of the box.

Ferdinand had rushed back, but Robben was ready. He cut into the right side of the area, stopped suddenly, then shifted inside and fired with his left foot.

This time, instead of aiming for the far corner, he shot toward the near post.

De Gea reacted instinctively to the quick release but was still a split-second late. The ball struck the right post and bounced into the net again.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

"Three minutes! Just three minutes!"

"Manchester City have scored twice in rapid succession!"

"2-2!"

"My God, what a start to the second half! Manchester City have shown their incredible attacking firepower!"

"United's strategy of going aggressive from the kickoff has backfired."

"Ferguson anticipated City would come out strong, so he wanted to pin them down early—but he didn't expect City's attack to be this sharp, this ruthless. Both attacks tore through United's defense."

"Look at the City players—they're full of energy now!"

"After scoring, Robben didn't even celebrate. He picked up the ball from inside the net and ran back to the center circle, signaling the referee to restart."

"City's morale is sky-high."

"Manchester United is in trouble!"

…

Ferguson, ever the fox, saw how City's momentum had tilted the game. Manchester United's morale had taken a hit, and he opted to pull back.

To be honest, continuing to attack in this situation gave United little hope. City had found their rhythm, and if things went on like this, they could shred United's defense.

Ferguson substituted Nani for Anderson and shifted Sneijder to the left side of the front line.

This move was clearly meant to strengthen midfield control and interceptions.

The substitution helped Manchester United stabilize, and the game returned to a balanced phase.

It wasn't until the 83rd minute that United tried a build-up from the back into City's box.

Neuer came out to collect the ball near the edge of the area and threw it to Jérôme Boateng, who had drifted out wide. Boateng controlled it and sent a straight pass looking for Leighton Baines.

But Lass Diarra and Valencia double-teamed Baines, and after a messy tussle, the ball spilled into the left channel.

David Silva pounced, taking the ball before Diarra could recover, then slipped a diagonal pass into the open space on the left.

Gareth Bale accelerated with blistering pace, flying down the flank and cutting into United's penalty area from the left channel.

This was his favorite spot. Both of United's center-backs panicked and rushed to cover, but Bale surprised them with a horizontal cutback.

The ball curved behind the defenders and landed in the open space near the penalty spot.

Suárez, arriving a beat later, met the cross and lashed it with his right foot.

The ball rocketed into the right side of United's goal.

De Gea dove again, but he was too late.

All three goals—into the right side of the net.

The Spanish keeper was left frustrated, almost wondering if they were deliberately targeting him.

But the Etihad had erupted into chaos.

A comeback!

After going 0-2 down, Manchester City had pulled off the turnaround!

All the City players rushed off the pitch, chasing Suárez and the others to the sideline. They hugged and celebrated their incredible comeback.

3-2!

(To be continued.)

Chapter 823: Another Upset

"You guys have such a great atmosphere!"

Manchester City had just defeated Manchester United 3-2.

After the match, Gao Shen invited Ferguson into an office at the Etihad Stadium, opened a bottle of Chilean red wine for him, and as they looked out at the crowds dispersing from the stands, the United manager couldn't help but remark with emotion.

"We only have just over 50,000, still far fewer than you," Gao Shen replied modestly with a smile.

Old Trafford, home to Manchester United, holds more than 70,000. Apart from Wembley, it is the largest stadium in England.

But even so, Old Trafford has changed.

Roy Keane once criticized the increasing commercialization of United's home ground.

"The crowd's different now. They sit in the stands chewing prawn sandwiches. They don't even care whether the team wins or not."

The comment caused a stir at the time.

Later, after the Glazer family completed their takeover of Manchester United, the heavy debt burden forced them to look toward ticket pricing for revenue. In just a few years, United's ticket prices were raised significantly three times, increasing by 50 percent over five years, which drew the ire of many fans.

But there wasn't much choice. Watching football had become a necessity. And even if you didn't want to watch anymore, someone else would.

The Glazer family's approach wasn't just about raising prices.

It's widely known that season tickets are typically priced slightly cheaper than individual match tickets. Clubs do this to encourage fans to pay upfront for the next season. Even Arsenal, who charge the highest prices in the league, follow this model.

Most fans know Arsenal has the most expensive season tickets in the Premier League, but not many realize that, unlike other clubs, Arsenal's season tickets include not just the 19 Premier League home games, but also seven home matches across European competitions and the FA Cup.

If the team doesn't end up playing all 26 matches, the club refunds the difference in the form of a "Cup Credit."

So, while other clubs offer 19 games, Arsenal offers 26. Naturally, the price is the highest.

And Manchester United?

The Glazers are incredibly meticulous and want to squeeze every penny from the fans.

Not only did they increase ticket prices by 50 percent in five years, but United also has a unique method of extracting more revenue: there are no discounts on season tickets.

For instance, in the high-priced stands, an individual ticket costs £39. Multiply that by 19 home games and you get £741.

And the price of a season ticket in those stands? £741. No discount.

The low-priced stands are similar. £28 per match, 19 matches, £532. The season ticket is priced at exactly £532.

In other words, season tickets at Manchester United offer zero savings.

Despite being one of the most profitable clubs in the world, United is extremely cost-conscious.

This season, the UK's VAT increased from 17.5 percent to 20 percent, and United responded by announcing a £1 increase per matchday ticket. It was an incredibly stingy move.

Some might ask, don't United fans protest?

Of course they do. But what can they do?

Manchester United has a massive fanbase. Even if you choose not to attend, someone else will take your place.

But repeated price increases have inevitably affected the atmosphere at Old Trafford.

More and more passionate fans who can't afford the rising prices are being driven out.

That's exactly why Ferguson sighed over Manchester City's vibrant atmosphere.

A big reason for this is that City's ticket prices are far more affordable than United's, mainly because their fan base comes from a different economic background.

Back when City was still at Maine Road, the club represented the working class.

…

"Our prices are going up too," Gao Shen said with a wry smile.

"Really?" Ferguson asked, surprised.

"Just a bit. I heard we're still in discussions with the fans. The lowest-priced tickets haven't changed in years. They say the cheapest will rise to £325, and the most expensive to around £465."

Still far lower than United.

In fact, City's ticket prices have always been on the lower side. Especially in the past three years, as the team's performance improved dramatically, financial pressure increased, and now even the fans support a modest ticket price increase.

That's what City supporters call a season ticket price hike.

It's not because they're foolish or blind. They understand clearly that in order for the club to ease financial pressure and maintain a healthy operation, some changes are necessary.

If the team could afford to let fans in for free, of course that would be ideal. But if the finances collapse, it's all over.

So, they're willing to support a virtuous cycle.

Of course, it's a bit ironic considering City is backed by the Abu Dhabi group.

…

"I watched your documentary. It's really well done!"

Ferguson suddenly changed the topic and offered some praise.

"Honestly, it hit me deeply. So many of those moments felt like they just happened yesterday, but when you think about it, some were years or even decades ago."

Gao Shen nodded silently. In that moment, he thought Ferguson really did seem old.

When people age, they tend to reminisce more.

Just like Ferguson now—was he reflecting on the documentary about United?

Rather than that, perhaps he was simply longing for the glory days of the past.

"By the way, when's the second episode coming out?" Ferguson asked with interest.

Gao Shen laughed and said, "We didn't release it until after the first three episodes were filmed. The second episode is on the way. The crew's still filming."

Judging by Ferguson's interest, it was clear the documentary had made an impression.

Leeds United and Channel 4 each invested £1 million in the project. A large number of scenes were filmed at Elland Road. You had to admire Osmond's team—they had a great reputation and knew what they were doing.

Of course, documentaries don't spread as fast as movies. They're still a niche category.

But the key is steady, consistent progress.

Leeds United released the documentary across major video platforms, hoping more people would watch, understand, and eventually grow to like the club. It's a long-term goal.

"You always come up with the strangest ideas. But honestly, your teams—whether it's Manchester City or Leeds United—are full of vitality and passion," Ferguson said, offering rare praise.

"Why do I feel like there's a hidden motive behind that compliment?" Gao Shen replied, smiling as he looked at him suspiciously.

Ferguson was exasperated. "I finally praise you, and you think I'm scheming?"

"A few days ago, I saw some news about you holding a New Year's Eve event in China. I don't remember the exact details, but it said something about inviting Chinese fans to watch a game here. I thought it was a great idea."

Gao Shen immediately understood.

This was a campaign planned by Leeds United's China office.

The club had only recently entered the Chinese market. Its official site and forum had just launched and were still in the promotion phase. They wanted to run events to drive engagement and increase visibility.

Especially on video platforms and social media.

This campaign would select ten lucky winners to travel to Leeds and watch a match live. The club would cover food, accommodation, and airfare.

The event generated quite a buzz in China. Combined with the release of the documentary and the approach of the Lunar New Year, it stirred up a lot of excitement. Fans responded positively and enthusiastically.

The British media had taken notice as well.

Seeing Ferguson's expression, Gao Shen was suddenly tempted to ask him a question.

Back then, when Ferguson had a falling out with United's two major shareholders over the Gibraltar investment fund, and later didn't object when the Glazers took over the club, did he ever regret that decision?

But in the end, Gao Shen decided not to ask.

Even if he did, Ferguson wouldn't answer.

He looked tired.

There are many things that outsiders will never know.

Only those on the inside truly understand what happened.

Maybe it was right, maybe it was wrong. But at Ferguson's age, none of that matters anymore.

What's important is that, even after retirement, he's still the godfather of Manchester United.

…

While Gao Shen and Ferguson were chatting at the Etihad, far away at Elland Road in Leeds, the final whistle had just blown in the match between Leeds United and Arsenal.

1-0!

Leeds United had pulled off an upset win at home against Arsenal.

Wenger had gone all out in this match. Although a few starters were rested, Arteta, Alex Song, Koscielny, and Squillaci were all in the starting lineup.

This allowed the Gunners to control possession and pressure Leeds United throughout the match.

But the White Roses played with real grit. Their pressing and high-intensity defense were highly effective, making it difficult for Arsenal to break them down.

Wenger started Arshavin, Chamakh, and Chamberlain up front. Despite dominating, they couldn't find a breakthrough.

Then, in the 68th minute, Leeds United launched a quick counterattack. Paulinho delivered a sharp through ball, and Icardi capitalized with a decisive finish to strike a fatal blow against the Gunners.

1-0!

Once Arsenal realized the danger, they responded quickly with substitutions, bringing on Walcott and veteran Thierry Henry.

This marked the beginning of Arsenal's all-out assault, but Leeds United dropped deep and focused on defending their lead.

In the end, both sides traded chances, but neither could score again.

Leeds United had pulled off a surprising 1-0 victory over the Gunners.

…

By the time Gao Shen received the news, he had just finished seeing Ferguson off. His face was filled with joy.

This was a huge upset.

And truthfully, it was Wenger's fault—he was too confident with that starting lineup.

If Henry and Walcott had started, Leeds United might not have had a chance.

Not far from the door, Ferguson also received the news.

Given his experience, he had already instructed United's scouting team to keep a close watch on Leeds United.

When he heard they had unexpectedly beaten Arsenal, Ferguson frowned deeply.

He had a strong sense of foreboding.

Leeds United's return to the Premier League might take Gao Shen away, but it could also completely disrupt the current balance of the league.

He turned around and looked deeply at the closed door, as if he could see through it to the man inside.

This was the first opponent he couldn't read at all.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 824: About to Collapse

This year's Christmas period and winter schedule are an unprecedented test for Manchester City.

This is recognized around the footballing world.

Although the Champions League hasn't resumed yet, January sees the Premier League, League Cup, and FA Cup all converge. That presents an enormous challenge for Manchester City, especially as they've drawn Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Right after Christmas, the team will face Manchester United in the FA Cup, followed by a League Cup semi-final against Liverpool at Anfield.

Before the team set off for Liverpool, Gao Shen held a special team meeting.

Mubarak also made a trip to Carrington to attend, where he announced the board's decision to introduce a bonus scheme even more generous than last season, in order to motivate the players to keep pushing for strong results across all competitions.

Gao Shen encouraged everyone to grit their teeth and power through this most difficult stretch.

"Believe me, guys, if you're feeling the pressure, it means you're standing right at the threshold of progress.

"From here on out, all you need is courage. Make your decision, take the step forward, and break through it!"

At Anfield, Manchester City ran into a stubborn Liverpool side.

For years, Benítez's team had been built around the iron triangle of Biglia, Mascherano, and Gerrard—a combination that hadn't changed.

It could be said that this midfield trio was the floor of Liverpool's performance.

But the real issue for this team was the ceiling, specifically around Torres.

Injuries had prevented the Spanish striker from maintaining his form. His performances were nowhere near what they had once been at his peak.

Now, many Liverpool fans regretted not selling him to Chelsea earlier. Had they done so, the funds could've been reinvested in a new striker.

But there's no medicine for regret.

Still, Liverpool's so-called attacking weakness was only relative.

Benítez's teams have never been easy to deal with.

At Anfield, Manchester City struck first and took the lead in the 22nd minute.

Not long after, Gerrard equalized for Liverpool.

In the second half, Van Persie converted a cross from the left to restore City's lead.

But just seven minutes later, Bellamy equalized again for Liverpool.

2-2. The match ended in a draw.

The entire game was choppy and lacked rhythm.

Part of that was down to Liverpool's tactics, but more importantly, it reflected Manchester City's inconsistency.

After grinding through so many tough matches, even a deep squad like City's was beginning to tire.

Especially during the demanding winter stretch.

If it had been any other team, they'd have collapsed long ago.

After returning from Liverpool, Manchester City had no time to rest.

Gao Shen felt like the team was just coming back to reload, reshuffle, and then head right back out.

This time, it was an away match against Wigan Athletic.

Roberto Martínez had prepared well. He was fully aware of City's difficulties and intended to exploit them by dragging the game into a physical battle of attrition.

Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be a problem.

But right now, it was dangerous for Manchester City.

Gao Shen also knew exactly how precarious things were, so he had no intention of engaging in a head-on confrontation.

He went for an all-out attack from the very start.

This was Gao Shen's signature approach.

Just three minutes into the match, David Silva assisted Suárez to open the scoring.

What happened after that?

Manchester City shut down.

They didn't bunker down, but they did pull back, slow the game down, and allow Wigan to push forward.

This frustrated Roberto Martínez greatly.

Push up?

But how do you defend when your backline is exposed?

If we don't press forward, we'll fall behind. What are we supposed to do?

Caught in this dilemma, the game slowly ticked toward full time.

1-0. Manchester City ground out the win.

Surprisingly, the British media heaped praise on the victory.

Because Gao Shen had rotated heavily for this match.

Apart from the spine of David Silva, Suárez, and Kompany, the rest of the lineup was completely rotated. Everyone else was rested.

Even key players like Gareth Bale and Robben were given a few days off.

This wasn't some decision made on a whim by Gao Shen, but one taken after discussions with his coaching staff, particularly Buenatella and Pintus, and after reviewing the psychologist's report.

Because after facing Wigan Athletic, Manchester City would take on Tottenham Hotspur.

Another fierce battle.

Then comes the decisive second leg against Liverpool.

Even more unbelievable, in the draw for the FA Cup fourth round, Manchester City were drawn against Liverpool again.

Yes, after playing Liverpool in the League Cup, they would face them again in the FA Cup.

On top of that, Manchester City still had a rescheduled league match against Arsenal, with the date yet to be confirmed.

Could there be a tougher schedule?

It could be said that Manchester City would be playing top teams throughout January.

This kind of suffocating intensity could drive anyone to collapse.

Forget the players—even Gao Shen felt breathless.

Only when he returned home each night and saw his wife could he truly relax.

Now, he finally understood why no team had ever completed a quadruple in the Premier League.

Because these two domestic cup competitions were too much of a burden.

And just when you're done with those, the Champions League Round of 16 begins.

"I feel like my brain's about to stop working. I have to consider both the present and the long term. Every match has to be taken seriously, played well... it's just exhausting!"

After saying this, Gao Shen let out a long sigh.

The main issue was fitness and condition.

If the players were robots, Gao Shen wouldn't be worried at all.

Mubarak and Gary Cook were both highly supportive of Gao Shen and the team, so now everything was focused on getting through the matches.

But it was clear—if anything unexpected happened to Manchester City's upper management now, the team would fall apart.

Su Qing knew Gao Shen well. She knew he was just venting.

He would never give up.

Having fought to this point, he would keep going no matter what.

She stood behind him and gently rubbed his temples. "It's tough, but from now on, you have to come home on time for dinner every day. Finish your work, rest more, sleep early and wake early. We'll go for morning runs in the park together."

"Ah?" Gao Shen was taken aback.

What was this about?

"Our parents are threatening us—if we don't have a baby soon, they won't help us raise it later."

"What? Just them?" Gao Shen chuckled at her sudden remark.

It was true—most parents couldn't wait to have grandkids. His own parents had nagged them countless times. The worst time, they even hinted that maybe Gao Shen and Su Qing should get checked at the hospital.

"My parents are the same. They want us to have kids soon so they can take turns retiring," Su Qing said with amusement.

Rotating retirement?

Now that's a new phrase.

What it really meant was taking turns helping with childcare.

Both sets of parents still couldn't let go of their businesses in China. Even though there were managers running things, they didn't feel at ease and insisted on staying involved. Having someone they trusted watch over the company gave them peace of mind.

"So what are you saying?" Gao Shen turned his head slightly, held her soft hand, and asked with a smile.

"If they're pushing us to have a baby, we might as well. Besides, we're already 31. We don't want to be elderly parents, right?"

Gao Shen was about to jump up in excitement, but Su Qing quickly held him down, laughing, "Mr. Gao, don't get ahead of yourself. Preparing for pregnancy still follows rules. First, you have to take care of your health. We need to make a plan."

…

January 22nd, noon. Etihad Stadium.

In the 22nd round of the Premier League, Manchester City hosted Tottenham Hotspur.

By the 89th minute, Manchester City had earned a corner kick in the final third.

But the delivery wasn't ideal and was cleared at the near post by a Spurs defender.

Chance gone.

The Sky Sports broadcast cut to the touchline, showing Gao Shen in a black windbreaker, standing by the sideline shaking his head in frustration, clearly dissatisfied with the result.

The score remained 0-0.

Tottenham had managed to hold on thanks to stellar performances from center-backs Kaboul and Redlikin, and some heroics from veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Manchester City's attacking players were also off their game.

There were too many coordination issues.

Like this moment: Henderson passed to Hazard, who sent a straight ball forward. Van Persie looked to charge into the penalty area, but instead, he flicked Hazard's pass backward with his heel. The Belgian didn't react in time, failed to control the ball, and not only missed a great opportunity to cut inside, but also lost possession.

This wasn't an isolated incident.

Such breakdowns were frequent throughout the match.

The players clearly weren't in form.

In the 75th minute, Gao Shen brought on Gareth Bale, but the Welshman was tightly marked by Kyle Walker and couldn't find space to threaten.

At this point, Gao Shen had used all three substitutions and exhausted his tactical options. The players simply weren't performing. There was nothing more he could do.

All that was left was to wait... and hope.

But time was running out.

The fourth official raised the board. Four minutes of stoppage time.

It was acceptable, but not much to work with.

Gao Shen walked to the sideline and urged the players to keep pressing, to not give up.

Especially down the left, where Gareth Bale and Hazard were operating. He wanted them to cause more problems for Spurs.

"Keep attacking, keep pushing forward!" Gao Shen shouted loudly.

He was making his stance clear to every Manchester City player.

He would not accept a draw.

He wanted the win!

(To be continued.)