SWR: Chapter 590/592

Chapter 590: Robben

"Arsenal continued to move the ball quickly, creating an attacking opportunity on the right."

"Adebayor attempted a cross from the right, but the ball was deflected out for a corner kick."

"Van Persie steps up to take the corner."

"Arsenal's aerial threats have all pushed into Manchester City's penalty area. Let's see what happens here."

"Van Persie takes a quick delivery, Gallas rises for the header!"

"Neuer reacts swiftly! His agility is outstanding as he stretches his arms and securely catches the ball."

"Manchester City launches a rapid counterattack, a long pass to Giroud, who quickly shifts it to the left. Hazard dribbles forward, weaving past defenders, but his run is cut short as the ball is blocked out of bounds."

"Throw-in for Manchester City."

"The referee signals a substitution for Manchester City."

"A wave of cheers erupts from the Etihad Stadium as we see Robben, wearing the No. 11 jersey, waiting on the sideline to come on. He will be replacing No. 15, Daniel Sturridge."

"Manchester City fans are eagerly anticipating Robben's entrance. However, since returning to the Premier League this season, he has been deployed strictly on the right wing by Gao Shen, and his performances have been underwhelming. Recently, rumors of tensions between him and Gao Shen have surfaced. Let's see if he can make an impact today."

…

Robben exchanged high-fives and a brief hug with Sturridge before sprinting onto the pitch.

As he passed by, he high-fived David Silva, Rakitic, and several other teammates.

The Dutchman also carried the latest tactical instructions from head coach Gao Shen: Manchester City needed to consolidate their control in midfield while actively exploiting both flanks to maximize the individual strengths of Hazard and Robben.

Arsenal's current formation looked somewhat ambiguous, at times resembling a 4-2-3-1, at others shifting into a 4-4-2. Occasionally, Fabregas would drop deeper, forming a three-man defensive midfield setup, allowing Rosicky to push further forward.

The most obvious tactical flaw? A lack of width in midfield.

Rosický sometimes operated on the left, and Diaby often drifted to the right, but in reality, Diaby was more involved centrally, and Rosicky wasn't a traditional winger, he played more like a left-sided attacking midfielder.

As a result, Arsenal's flanks were relatively vulnerable.

Sturridge, meanwhile, wasn't a traditional winger either, Gao Shen had noticed this when he attempted to attack Clichy's side earlier.

The English forward was at his best when cutting inside from wide areas into the box, using his speed and technical ability to break through defenses.

In fact, one major factor in Sturridge's later decline was injuries slowing him down, robbing him of his primary advantage and leading to diminishing performances.

In this match, Sturridge struggled to exploit Clichy's flank effectively.

Gao Shen's initial plan had been to replace Giroud and shift Sturridge into the center-forward role, but given Sturridge's performance, he opted instead to substitute him and keep Giroud on.

At this stage of the game, a hard-working center-forward was more valuable than a mobile but inconsistent attacker.

Robben relayed Gao Shen's tactical adjustments. On the sidelines, Gao Shen patted Sturridge on the back, sending him off to rest, then stepped forward to shout instructions to David Silva, Rakitic, and Javi Martinez, signaling them to focus on utilizing the flanks.

Even before the match, Gao Shen had gone over different game scenarios with the players. He trusted that they understood their roles.

…

Following the substitution, Arsenal immediately pressed forward with an attack.

Adebayor and Rosický linked up on Manchester City's left flank.

Rosický lifted a pass into Adebayor's path. The Togolese striker displayed excellent ball control, hugging the left sideline and forcing Micah Richards wide. Then, he surged down the line, cut inside at the byline, and squared the ball into the box.

Fortunately, Javi Martinez had tracked back in time, blocking Van Persie and clearing the danger.

Arsenal's aggressive push sent a wave of nervous tension through Manchester City's defense.

The Gunners' attacking firepower remained a serious threat.

From the touchline, Gao Shen shouted at his players to stay composed, keep their shape, and maintain possession.

At the same time, he instructed David Silva and Rakitic to slow the game down and vary the offensive approach.

…

Robben had been on the pitch for over four minutes without touching the ball once.

During this period, Arsenal had intensified their offensive pressure.

Just moments ago, Rosický lofted a precise ball from outside the box, dropping it behind Manchester City's defensive line. Van Persie surged forward for a header, but Neuer reacted first, leaping high to pluck the ball out of the air.

Arsenal had also noticeably tightened their defensive coverage on Robben's side.

Manchester City attempted to build attacks down the right flank several times, but Arsenal's defense held firm.

Sensing the difficulty, David Silva waved to signal a tactical shift, immediately, the attack redirected toward Hazard on the left wing.

Robben instantly understood the change in strategy.

Arsenal was well-prepared to counter Manchester City's right-sided attacks. Instead of stubbornly forcing the play down that side, the better option was to first stretch Arsenal's defense by attacking the left and then switch the point of attack.

With that in mind, as Manchester City advanced down the left, Robben drifted more centrally, temporarily vacating his usual position on the right.

Micah Richards, known for his pace, also pushed forward to support the attack when needed.

On the left, Hazard and David Silva, both highly skilled dribblers engaged in quick, intricate passing exchanges just outside the left corner of Arsenal's penalty area. Arsenal's defenders struggled to disrupt their rhythm.

Hazard attempted to dribble into the box from the left corner, but he was quickly double-teamed and forced to lay the ball back to David Silva.

The Spanish playmaker took a touch, glanced inside the penalty area, then sent a perfectly weighted lob into the danger zone.

Robben was poised and ready on the right edge of the penalty arc, anticipating his moment. As soon as David Silva released the ball, he burst forward and shouted to Giroud, "Five o'clock!"

Giroud didn't even need to look. With his back to goal, he used his body to shield the ball from Gallas, who was pressing tightly behind him.

The French center-back did everything he could to contain Giroud, preventing him from jumping freely and posing a threat, while Vermaelen provided additional cover to stop him from turning.

Standing at 1.92 meters, Giroud had a significant height and strength advantage over the 1.82-meter-tall Gallas. Using his physicality, he firmly held his position, waited for the ball to drop, and then suddenly took a step forward before leaping high into the air.

Both Gallas and Vermaelen reacted instinctively, surging forward in an attempt to close him down, with Gallas even jumping alongside him.

But Giroud had no intention of heading for goal. Instead, he redirected David Silva's pass with a precise header to the right side of the six-yard box.

An open space had appeared in front of Vermaelen.

Looking back at Giroud's positioning, it was clear, he had placed himself perfectly at the five o'clock direction.

Vermaelen had been fully focused on Giroud, only realizing the danger when the ball had already been flicked past him. In a desperate attempt to recover, he turned sharply and lunged into a sliding tackle.

But no matter how quick Vermaelen was, he wasn't quicker than Robben.

The Dutchman arrived first and struck the ball cleanly with his left foot.

The ball rifled past the keeper and into the right side of Arsenal's net.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"

In an instant, the Etihad Stadium erupted.

All 50,000 Manchester City fans surged to their feet, roaring in celebration.

The entire stadium was shaking.

"Robben!!! Robben!!!!"

"77th minute—Robben scores for Manchester City!"

"2-1!"

"My God! This is the Dutchman's first goal since returning to the Premier League!"

"We saw that Robben didn't make much of an impact when he first came on, but his movement became noticeably more fluid. He stopped restricting himself to the right flank and began appearing centrally, this is a huge adjustment."

Robben, overwhelmed with excitement, sprinted off the pitch, circling the field in celebration.

The entire stadium was on its feet, showering him with applause and cheers.

Then, the Dutchman made a beeline for the home team's dugout, rushing toward head coach Gao Shen. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around Gao Shen's waist in a jubilant embrace.

The live cameras caught Robben's ecstatic shout.

"Without attack, everything collapses!"

"After scoring, Robben ran straight to the coaching bench and hugged head coach Gao Shen! This is as good as a public statement, there is no rift between them!"

"Manchester City players are swarming around them!"

"And let's not forget—tonight is Manchester City manager Gao Shen's birthday. If they can defeat Arsenal at home and secure their fifth consecutive win, it would be the perfect birthday gift for him!"

…

Gao Shen was just as thrilled as the players.

He hadn't expected Robben's sudden celebration, but after the initial excitement, he quickly regained his composure.

"We can pull their defense toward the left, draw them in, and then switch quickly to the right, let Robben isolate Clichy one-on-one and finish him!"

Gao Shen made a slicing motion with his right hand, signaling his tactical adjustment.

Robben, still riding the adrenaline of his goal, thumped his chest confidently.

"Leave the one-on-one to me. I promise I'll score again!"

The conviction in his voice was undeniable.

No one doubted Robben's ability, when he was fully fit, he was undeniably a world-class talent.

Hazard and David Silva, having just experienced the effectiveness of their previous interplay, also understood the plan. If they could draw even more defensive pressure toward themselves, it would create an even bigger opening elsewhere.

"Alright, let's stick to this plan. There are still ten minutes left—plenty of time."

"Remember, we're at home tonight. Don't settle for a one-goal lead keep attacking and push for more goals. Understood?"

The Manchester City players all responded with determination.

…

The energy around the Manchester City dugout was electric. The players were fired up, their morale soaring, their ambition clear for all to see.

On the other side, Arsène Wenger, sitting in the visiting team's coaching area, suddenly felt an uneasy sense of foreboding.

Manchester City's recent wave of attacks had put him on high alert.

After all his years of coaching, Wenger had learned to trust his instincts.

And right now, those instincts were telling him that danger was coming.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 591: Again!!

Manchester City continued their relentless attacks down the left flank.

Hazard and David Silva controlled possession, putting immense pressure on Arsenal's defense and forcing them to shift toward that side. But just as the defenders became fully committed, David Silva suddenly attempted to switch play to the right.

However, just as the ball passed through the center, Alex Song burst forward and stuck out a foot, blocking the pass.

Rosický immediately intercepted the ball, turned swiftly, and launched a counterattack.

Arsenal's formation instantly surged forward.

Rosický advanced quickly, but Manchester City's Rakitic tracked back diligently, sticking close to the Czech midfielder. Just as Rosický crossed the halfway line and approached City's defensive third, Rakitic decisively slid in with a tackle.

The Croatian midfielder successfully won the ball, tripping Rosický in the process, but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on.

After regaining possession, Rakitic wasted no time, he drove the ball forward, pushing into Arsenal's half.

Seeing Rakitic charge ahead, Alex Song stepped up aggressively to challenge him. But just before Song could close him down, Rakitic played a perfectly weighted pass toward the edge of the penalty area on the right.

Robben had already anticipated the play and sprinted forward, latching onto Rakitic's pass. He turned sharply, face-to-face with Clichy.

One-on-one!

…

Robben dribbled forward, closing in on Clichy step by step.

He took the short, rapid touches he was most familiar with, so fluid that he didn't even need to glance at the ball. His focus remained entirely on Clichy, reading every movement of his opponent.

Since arriving at Manchester City, Borrell had been giving him specialized training, especially in adapting to playing on the right wing.

Robben had always had a distinctive rhythm, a unique style of dribbling and attacking. But after years of playing on the left, transitioning to the right required adjustments.

Now, under his relentless pressure, Clichy instinctively took a step back. Then another.

In that moment, Robben felt it.

It was the same sensation he had briefly experienced years ago when playing on the right for Real Madrid. He had tried explaining it to Gao Shen and Borrell, but he couldn't quite articulate it.

Gao Shen, however, had always believed that this "feeling" was the key to unlocking Robben's full potential as a right-winger.

Since joining Manchester City, Robben had been searching for it—exploring, adjusting, waiting for that instinct to return.

Now, as he approached Clichy, the familiar sensation fully emerged.

Suddenly, he quickened his dribble, acting as if he was driving toward the byline. Clichy, fearing the burst of pace, reacted instinctively, only for Robben to cut inside in an instant.

With a sudden change of direction, Robben accelerated, dragging the ball across with his left foot.

Clichy had no chance. Robben left him completely behind.

With space opening up, Robben took another touch to stabilize himself. Then, without hesitation, he unleashed a curling strike with his left foot.

Robben had started from outside the right corner of the penalty area, shifting inside before striking a perfectly arced shot toward the far top-left corner.

For Arsenal's goalkeeper Almunia, positioned near the right post, this was an absolute nightmare.

The Spaniard reacted instantly, diving with full stretch.

But the shot was too fast, the curve too precise, the ball was heading straight for the top corner!

Almunia could only watch helplessly as the ball flew past his fingertips and slammed into the back of the net.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!"

"81st minute—81st minute! Robben! ROBBEN AGAIN!"

At the very moment Robben cut inside past Clichy, he had already sensed it, this was going in.

As soon as the ball left his foot, he knew.

Without even waiting for confirmation, he took off in celebration, sprinting towards the sideline. The referee's whistle blew, confirming the goal.

Robben slid to his knees, punching the air as he roared in celebration toward the Manchester City fans.

The entire Etihad Stadium—50,000 fans—erupted into deafening cheers.

"At the crucial moment, Robben cut inside from the right and curled a stunning left-footed shot into the top corner, extending Manchester City's lead!"

"3-1!!"

"Robben comes off the bench and scores twice! Clichy has been completely outclassed, he just couldn't contain Robben tonight!"

"This feels like a brand-new Robben!"

"He was always a dangerous winger, but after coming on today, he played with a different kind of sharpness. On the right, he was more elusive—less predictable, yet even deadlier. That last goal was the perfect example!"

"Clichy was left stranded, he had no time to react. Robben's movement, his feint, his inside cut, and that shot, it was executed flawlessly. It was pure instinct, pure technique!"

"A brace! Robben's performance tonight has left an unforgettable impression!"

"This is the Robben we've all been waiting to see!"

…

On the sidelines, Gao Shen leaped into the air, celebrating as he clapped and cheered.

As soon as Robben's shot hit the net, Gao Shen turned with a huge grin and immediately embraced Borrell, who came running towards him.

Fernando Lucas and the rest of the coaching staff quickly joined in.

Borrell, Manchester City's technical coach, had been instrumental in refining Robben's play on the right wing. For months, he had worked closely with the Dutchman, helping him transition into the role.

Robben was one of Gao Shen's most prized players and adapting him to the right wing had been a top priority.

Lucas's analysis team had also played a critical role. They had even developed a specialized monitoring system, analyzing Robben's movements frame by frame to help perfect his positioning and technique.

And now, all that hard work had paid off.

"You did it, Rodolfo!" Gao Shen laughed, clapping Borrell on the back.

From now on, Borrell could proudly say that he had helped craft one of the best right-wingers in world football.

"This was all you, boss—along with Robben's talent and work ethic," Borrell replied humbly.

Gao Shen put his arm around Borrell's shoulders, watching the celebration on the pitch with a smile.

So often, fans and media only see what happens on match day, the brilliance of a player, the moments of genius on the field.

But behind the scenes, the work of the coaching staff, the training, the adjustments, the refining of tactics, those were just as crucial.

Just like Javi Martinez.

Right now, his performances as a defensive midfielder were still a work in progress. He hadn't fully mastered Gao Shen's tactical system yet. But that didn't matter. Over time, through experience and repetition, he would eventually understand.

And then there was Henderson.

The young English midfielder was hardworking, disciplined, but his ideal role within the team was still unclear. Could he become the perfect deep-lying playmaker? Or was he simply not suited for that position?

These were challenges yet to be solved.

…

With Manchester City scoring two quick goals, the lead widened to 3-1.

Arsenal, visibly shaken, began to lose confidence.

Ever since losing Patrick Vieira and other key veterans, Wenger's squad had always struggled with a certain mental fragility and tonight, it was beginning to show.

Arsène Wenger made another bold move, substituting Alex Song for Arshavin.

This was a clear statement, Arsenal were going all-in on the attack.

Wenger was determined to take this opportunity to battle Manchester City to the very end.

But Gao Shen remained composed, signaling his players to maintain control and stick to the game plan.

It was Arsenal, not City, who needed to be desperate. With a two-goal cushion, there was no reason to panic.

Manchester City's players quickly executed Gao Shen's instructions, continuing to dictate the tempo. In midfield, David Silva, Hazard, Rakitic, and Javi Martinez worked seamlessly to retain possession, keeping Arsenal at bay.

Arsenal's attacking intent was evident after their substitutions, especially down the left, where Arshavin operated. However, the tactical shift came at a cost—it left their midfield exposed, particularly in the space just outside the penalty area.

…

87th minute, Robben was at it again.

Positioned on the right flank, he received a pass from David Silva, turned his body, and immediately surged toward the penalty area.

Giroud, stationed near the edge of the box, pulled away from his marker to offer a passing option.

Robben, without hesitation, threaded a pass to Giroud and continued his sprint forward.

The French striker used his body to shield the ball from Vermaelen, then extended his left foot and flicked the ball back into Robben's path.

It was a clever touch. The ball looped over the heads of three Arsenal defenders, falling into open space inside the penalty area.

Robben accelerated, chasing down the bouncing ball while Clichy desperately tried to close him down.

Just as the Dutchman reached it, he swung his left foot for a volley.

But the strike wasn't clean. The ball came off the outside of his left foot, skimming across the face of the goal.

And then, there he was.

Hazard.

Completely unmarked on the left side of the six-yard box.

Arsenal's defenders had lost track of him entirely.

The Belgian forward calmly met Robben's pass and slotted the ball into the nearly empty net.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!"

"MANCHESTER CITY SCORES AGAIN!!!"

"4-1!"

"Unbelievable! Robben, after scoring twice as a substitute, now provides an assist, setting up Hazard for Manchester City's fourth goal of the night!"

"What a performance from the Dutchman! Absolutely sensational!"

"Robben has torn through Arsenal's defense time and time again. He is in electrifying form!"

"Clichy, once again, had no answer. The French left-back has been utterly dismantled by Robben tonight."

"Wenger must be regretting his substitutions now. By removing Denilson and Alex Song, Arsenal lost their defensive shield in front of the penalty area, leaving them completely exposed!"

"But perhaps the biggest story of the night is not just Robben—it's Manchester City and Gao Shen."

"With every passing match, we can see this restructured Manchester City squad improving, growing stronger, and playing with a refreshing energy."

"New stars are emerging, and the team's chemistry is clicking into place."

"At this rate, if they maintain this form and momentum, who knows what incredible feats they could achieve this season?"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 592: Manchester United, Here I Come

As Gao Shen stepped into the press conference hall at the Etihad Stadium, there were still traces of white cake cream clinging to the collar and hem of his suit. Seeing this, the media reporters chuckled knowingly, after all, they were well aware that today was Gao Shen's birthday.

And what better way to celebrate than with a 4-1 victory over Arsenal at home?

It wasn't hard to imagine how lively the post-match celebrations had been in the Manchester City locker room.

Gao Shen had always been known for his close relationship with his players, and it was no surprise that he had emerged with cake stains still visible.

"Sorry, I really didn't have time to change," Gao Shen said with a smile.

He took his seat at the center of the podium, and as soon as the press officer signaled the start of the press conference, the questions began pouring in.

These post-match press conferences often followed a predictable pattern.

The initial questions would typically focus on the team's performance, certain standout players, and tactical decisions. Evaluations of opponents and their head coach were also standard topics.

Gao Shen was already well-versed in handling such inquiries.

But soon, the discussion shifted to a hot topic that had been circulating in the media, his relationship with Arjen Robben.

"I brought him here personally. Do you really think there's any conflict between us?" Gao Shen asked with a knowing smile.

Before this match, many had doubted his words. But now, with Robben's two goals and one assist, there was little room left for speculation.

Especially when Robben ran straight to the touchline after his first goal and embraced Gao Shen, a gesture that carried far more weight than any verbal explanation.

Gao Shen also took the opportunity to clarify his decision-making regarding Robben.

He explained that the reason Robben had been given a short vacation was due to the intense pressure he had been under.

"We all know that he is a world-class player, but at the end of the day, he is still human. He experiences emotions, stress, and fatigue just like anyone else. My staff and I assessed his mental state and agreed that what he needed most at that moment was rest."

That was why Robben had temporarily left the team.

As for starting him on the bench, Gao Shen emphasized that it was a purely tactical decision.

"Before announcing the squad, I had already discussed it with Robben. He was fully supportive and trusted my decision, which allowed me to bring him off the bench without any concerns."

His words carried a clear message, Robben and the coaching staff were on the same page, and any rumors of a rift were baseless.

"And as you all saw today, Robben came on and, in just over 20 minutes, contributed to three goals. He was the most outstanding player on the pitch."

"This match only reinforced that our decision was the right one," Gao Shen added confidently.

Through this performance, his authority in the locker room and trust from both players and coaching staff had been further solidified.

A manager's prestige isn't built overnight, it is earned through consistent victories, smart tactical choices, and the ability to read the game.

Tonight, Gao Shen had done exactly that.

Before the match, he had already anticipated Wenger's tactical approach and devised a precise counter-strategy, leading to a dominant 4-1 win.

This kind of performance only deepened the players' belief in their manager.

…

Gao Shen also praised Wenger and Arsenal, acknowledging that the final scoreline didn't fully reflect the difficulty of the match.

"Wenger and his team put us under real pressure. Neuer was one of our best players today, which speaks volumes about how dangerous Arsenal were."

He revealed that, leading up to the match, he had repeatedly warned his players about Adebayor and Van Persie especially Van Persie.

"My players remained focused and fought hard, but Arsenal still managed to score. That goal made the match more difficult for us."

However, he believed that overcoming such challenges would only strengthen Manchester City's confidence and fighting spirit.

Then, Gao Shen addressed something even more significant.

"Guillam Balague wrote in his column that the fifth and sixth rounds of the Premier League would be our 'Day of Judgment.' I don't know if he was right, but these two matches have indeed been crucial for us."

For the first time, he openly discussed the importance of these two games.

"Lately, we've been misunderstood by many fans, and the media has been biased against us. It felt like we were being surrounded on all sides. But I always told my players, ignore the noise, focus on ourselves, and let our results speak for us."

"I am so proud of my players for doing just that!"

As he spoke, his voice carried confidence and defiance.

"This match proved that we are not just a collection of individuals. We are not mercenaries playing for money. We are a team, a professional squad with ambition, clear goals, and a strong sense of unity!"

"We have the ability to compete with any Premier League team, including the so-called 'Big Four.' Not just compete—but beat them!"

Then, he made a bold declaration.

"This game has given us even greater confidence as we prepare for our next match, against Manchester United in the derby."

"In terms of scheduling, we have the advantage," Gao Shen noted with a smirk.

Manchester City, without any midweek European commitments, could fully focus on the derby.

Meanwhile, Manchester United had to travel to Turkey for a Champions League clash against Besiktas before returning to host the derby.

This was a major factor.

The long journey. The fatigue. The demanding schedule.

Would Ferguson dare to rotate?

Gao Shen certainly hoped so.

By the time the derby arrived, Manchester City would be fully rested, fully prepared, and in peak condition, ready to take the fight to their city rivals.

"I can't predict the result of the match at Old Trafford, because football is unpredictable. But one thing I can guarantee, we will go there with our strongest lineup and our best form."

Then, with a smile, he repeated his ultimate ambition.

"Our goal has never changed, we want to be champions!"

Then came his final words, the statement that shook the football world.

"When I came to the Premier League, my biggest objective was to lead Manchester City to knock Manchester United off their throne."

"I know Ferguson's Manchester United is chasing an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title."

"But let me make this clear, they won't get it."

"Because—here I come!"

…

Gao Shen's direct challenge to Manchester United sent shockwaves across the Premier League and even beyond.

Gao Shen had every reason to challenge Manchester United, because after five rounds of Premier League action, Manchester City were ahead of them in the standings.

With five consecutive wins, City had racked up 22 goals while conceding just two, sitting firmly at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Chelsea once again found themselves in a difficult situation. Facing Stoke City, Ancelotti's men fell behind early in the first half but managed a dramatic 2-1 comeback with goals in first-half and second-half stoppage time.

How many times had Chelsea pulled off a late turnaround already this season?

Their tenacity and never-say-die attitude were on full display once again. With this hard-fought victory, Chelsea maintained their perfect record and climbed to second place in the Premier League standings.

…

In third place was Benítez's Liverpool.

At Anfield, Liverpool thrashed Burnley 4-0, with Benayoun netting a stunning hat-trick and Kuyt adding another.

Benayoun's performance took everyone by surprise, his hat-trick was one of the standout moments of the round.

It was clear that after solidifying their double pivot midfield, Benítez's side was beginning to hit their stride.

Like City and Chelsea, Liverpool had also won five consecutive matches and remained unbeaten.

That meant only three teams in the Premier League had a 100% winning record so far—Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

…

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur, who had started the season with four straight wins, faced Manchester United at White Hart Lane.

The match exploded into action immediately, within the first minute, Defoe put Spurs ahead.

But United responded ruthlessly. Giggs, Anderson, and Rooney all found the net as Sir Alex Ferguson's side turned the game around for a 3-1 victory.

With this win, Manchester United leapfrogged both Arsenal and Tottenham, breaking into the top four.

Spurs dropped to fifth, while Arsenal remained in sixth.

Further down the table, teams like Sunderland, Aston Villa, Fulham, and West Ham United were all closely packed together, with only a few points separating them.

But with just five rounds played, the Premier League season was still wide open—injuries, loss of form, and fixture congestion could derail any team at any moment.

…

Yet, if the early rounds were anything to go by, especially Manchester City's dominant 4-1 win over Arsenal, Gao Shen's squad had already proven their strength.

They weren't just winning matches.

They were getting stronger with each game.

Their attacking football was electric. Their key players were finding top form. And their belief was growing.

That's why all eyes were now turning to the sixth round, the Manchester derby.

As Guillem Balague put it, this was "The second trial of the Premier League season!"

Manchester City vs. Manchester United.

The battle for Manchester was about to begin.

(To be continued.)