Although New Manchester United had taken an early lead thanks to a planned move prepared before the match, Brighton's anger had clearly been ignited.
Their attacking pressure not only failed to weaken, it became even stronger, forcing New Manchester United's three midfielders and striker Kitson to drop back and help defend.
"We can see that New Manchester United's defence is very organized, and their coverage of space is excellent.
"Once the team drops back, their defensive shape has both width and depth. It is very orderly.
"Although Brighton's attack has plenty of impact, it is very difficult for them to break through New Manchester United's defence."
Only half an hour into the match, Tyler had completely changed his view of New Manchester United.
He felt that the team's ability was astonishing, not only tactically, but also in terms of the players' execution on the pitch.
Generally speaking, the lower the level of the league, the weaker the players' tactical execution. But New Manchester United's manager had managed to unite his players on the pitch, which said a great deal about his ability.
"If they don't make a change, I think Brighton are in for a very difficult match!" Tyler revised his prematch prediction.
The developments on the pitch seemed to support Tyler's judgment, especially as New Manchester United's defence became increasingly solid.
Brighton could not even truly threaten New Manchester United's goal, despite controlling the initiative on the pitch.
"So what?" Mourinho sneered as he looked at his opponent, who was beginning to look impatient.
Brighton's players also grew impatient after failing to score despite their sustained pressure, and their challenges became increasingly aggressive.
Especially when competing for 50-50 balls, they even began to go in heavily, which made the situation on the pitch tense.
In the thirty-ninth minute, Brighton stopped a New Manchester United counterattack and sent a long ball directly toward their tall center-forward.
However, Curtis, who had been performing excellently in this match, stopped them once again.
He judged the flight of the ball, took up position, and headed it to Essien, who was in front of him. Facing the opponent's pressing, Essien immediately passed the ball sideways to Alou Diarra.
But just then, Brighton's number 6 defensive midfielder suddenly charged in from behind and made a very fierce sliding tackle, bringing Alou Diarra down to the ground.
He then got up and kicked the ball forward without even glancing at Diarra, who was lying on the ground in pain.
Curtis once again stopped the opponent's attack.
He headed the ball to Evra on the left flank, and as soon as the ball landed, he immediately chased after it, running past Diarra.
"What's wrong, Alou?" Curtis asked with concern.
Alou Diarra clutched his calf in pain. Blood could faintly be seen through his sock, indicating that the opponent's sliding tackle had not been clean, and that the studs had caught his calf.
"Damn it, you bastard!" Curtis had already seen the opponent's repeated aggressive challenges. Now that they had injured his teammate, he was furious.
He immediately wanted to confront them.
Just then, the referee also arrived, and Juninho, who had followed the play back, immediately hugged Curtis.
"Don't lose your head, Curtis. Don't lose your head!"
"Juninho, look at Alou's leg. Those bastards did it on purpose!" Curtis was losing his temper.
"I know, I know, Curtis. But this is professional football!"
Hearing that, Curtis immediately froze.
He recalled what Bruce had once taught him. If you could not stop an opponent, foul him, foul him hard, and he would be afraid.
But looking at Alou Diarra lying on the ground, looking at a teammate he got along well with suffering from such a serious foul, why was he so angry?
The referee called for a stretcher to carry Alou Diarra off the pitch for treatment. However, the team doctor had confirmed that Diarra definitely could not continue, so Mourinho could only make the substitution with a grim expression, replacing him with De Rossi.
He suddenly missed Poulsen.
If the Danish tough man were here, the opponent might not have dared to be so arrogant.
It was worth noting that Poulsen was widely regarded as New Manchester United's dirtiest player, but privately, the players got along well with him. That was because his dirtiness came from his fierce commitment on the pitch and was only directed at opponents. To his own teammates, he was very friendly.
Curtis watched Alou Diarra being carried off the pitch, clearly in pain and needing treatment, and felt anger surge through him.
He could not stand the opponent's arrogance.
This was New Manchester United's home ground!
Terry did not notice Curtis's gaze. He patted him on the shoulder, signalling that the match was about to restart.
Curtis retreated into the back line, and the match resumed.
Brighton's throw-in was sent directly to New Manchester United as an unspoken gesture of sportsmanship, but their actions on the pitch remained aggressive.
Their number 6 defensive midfielder, in particular, was full of energy and highly combative. He was especially fierce against Juninho, clearly aiming to disrupt New Manchester United's attack.
From the back, Curtis increasingly felt that something was wrong.
Several of his teammates seemed to have been intimidated by the opponent's aggressive style and were even pulling out of 50-50 challenges.
If this continued, New Manchester United would only become more passive.
A surge of anger rose inside him.
Curtis seized an opportunity.
As Brighton's number 6 defensive midfielder dribbled through the middle, Curtis suddenly accelerated and launched into a fierce sliding tackle, taking both the player and the ball down and sending him crashing to the ground.
After standing up, Curtis saw the opponent clutching his calf and writhing in pain. He innocently spread his hands, signalling to the referee that he had only gone for the ball and had not intended to hurt anyone.
The referee first ran over to Brighton's number 6 to check his injury.
There were no obvious wounds, at least he was not bleeding like Alou Diarra had been, but he seemed to be in even greater pain than Diarra.
Brighton's players rushed forward to confront Curtis, but New Manchester United's players instinctively protected him and pushed him back toward their own half.
"We can see that the players on the pitch almost came to blows!"
Tyler chuckled. "In the lower leagues, this kind of thing happens almost every day.
"However, from the television replay, Curtis's tackle was indeed aimed at the ball.
"He got to the ball first, but he couldn't control his momentum and brought the opponent down as well.
"Of course, we cannot deny that his tackle was very aggressive. It was clearly intended to avenge his teammate!"
"The injured player has been carried off the pitch.
"Curtis has been called over by the referee and shown a yellow card. That is the first yellow card of his professional career, and also a punishment for his irrational act of retaliation!"
"However, we can see that after play resumed, Brighton's players began to rein in their challenges.
"We can see Curtis frequently shouting to his teammates from the back. Judging from his expression, it is as if he is telling them, 'Don't be afraid. The opponent isn't scary. If they're tough, we'll be tougher!'" Tyler joked.
But indeed, judging from the match, New Manchester United, who had looked rather restrained moments earlier, now seemed to have had their fighting spirit fully awakened.
Their challenges became more aggressive, especially in midfield. De Rossi and Essien were both young players, and neither could stand being bullied. Both of them were carrying a fire in their hearts.
Evra and Bosingwa also repeatedly made sure that even if the ball got past them, the player did not. Evra even received a yellow card for it.
As a result, Brighton were instead intimidated by New Manchester United on the pitch.
"This is momentum, and this is the role of a leader!" As an Englishman, Tyler admired the fierce fighting spirit in Curtis, because it was rarely seen in the new generation of players anymore.
Perhaps Liverpool's Gerrard still had it.
...
New Manchester United ended the first half with a 1-0 lead, and after returning to the dressing room, the now-calmed Curtis suddenly felt a trace of fear.
He was worried that Mourinho would punish him for receiving an unnecessary yellow card.
He waited for a while before Mourinho pushed open the door and entered. The manager's expression was indeed cold, which made the players feel a sense of dread.
"I have good news and bad news for you!" Mourinho said in a deep voice.
The players exchanged glances, guessing who was about to be unlucky.
"Alou Diarra has been confirmed to be fine.
"He only suffered a minor superficial injury and will be able to return after a few days of rest.
"That is the good news!" Mourinho said in an intimidating tone, making the good news sound almost like a judge delivering a sentence.
"The bad news is that Brighton's defensive midfielder has suffered a serious fracture and will be out for at least six months!"
Hearing this, the players immediately did not know how to react to Mourinho's two pieces of news. They looked at one another, clearly bewildered.
"From the standpoint of professional ethics as a coach, I must feel sad about the Brighton player's injury, because it was one of our players who, because of excessive dedication and commitment, accidentally injured him during a tackle.
"I am very sorry for that, and I will express this in my postmatch interview with the reporters. I will also have the club staff visit him at the hospital."
Mourinho spoke slowly, clearly creating this atmosphere deliberately.
"But if I am speaking from the position of New Manchester United's manager, I have to say, well done, lads!"
Curtis and the others, who had been worried about Mourinho's punishment, suddenly could not believe their ears.
The manager was actually praising them?
Had they really heard correctly?
"I don't want you to always play with an aggressive mindset, provided our opponents don't have that intention either.
"Otherwise, I don't mind you teaching them a lesson.
"But be careful, especially Patrice and Curtis. You both have a yellow card.
"In the second half, the opponents will definitely target you relentlessly.
"Do not, absolutely do not, pick up another card. Understood?"
Hearing this, the players all burst into laughter and shouted in unison, "Understood!"
"Don't worry, boss. We'll cover their positions.
"If a foul is needed, we'll handle it!" De Rossi stood up with a grin and made his promise.
The players all agreed immediately.
Seeing the players so united, Mourinho smiled with satisfaction.
He knew that regardless of whether they won this match or not, he had already gained something even more important than victory.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)