At Brighton's Withdean Stadium, the stands, which could accommodate eight thousand supporters, were packed to the brim.
Among them were more than a thousand New Manchester United supporters who had travelled all the way from Manchester, clearly hoping to witness their team's push toward promotion.
In reality, even if they defeated Brighton, there would still be seven league matches left to play, and the title would still be up for grabs.
However, supporters and commentators alike generally believed that this would be the decisive match in this season's title race.
New Manchester United were currently two points behind Brighton, so in this match, New Manchester United had to win to overtake Brighton and claim top spot.
This would also be their first time at the top this season, after which they would face challenges from Brighton and Cardiff.
Conversely, if Brighton defeated or drew with New Manchester United, then given Brighton's current form, it would be very difficult for any team to stop them from winning the title in the remaining seven matches.
"We all know that New Manchester United, established almost three years ago, have completed two league seasons and won two doubles, making them true specialists in winning championships. However, this season, New Manchester United experienced a change of manager. Former manager Steve Bruce moved to Birmingham to coach, and he has already led his team to early promotion to the Premier League. Meanwhile, the newly arrived Mourinho's unfamiliarity with the team led to a poor start for New Manchester United, even causing them to fall into the relegation zone at one point."
Scarlett introduced New Manchester United's journey this season before the broadcast.
She had watched New Manchester United grow and strengthen, so naturally, she spoke with great emotion.
"But after the initial growing pains of the season, New Manchester United quickly adjusted. The team displayed an astonishing style of football, and no matter how tenacious their opponents were, they were able to dominate the match and secure victories. Now, everyone has to admit that those who thought New Manchester United would be fighting relegation at the start of the season must be shocked. They are strong contenders for the title, and if they defeat Brighton in this match, they even have a chance to take the title!"
"Yes, Scarlett is right, but we must also consider that Brighton's home ground has never been breached this season. Like New Manchester United's formidable home ground, their home record is also excellent, so we can imagine that this will be a very tough match!"
Martin Tyler was clearly very conservative in his prediction for this match.
In his pre-match column, he mentioned that it might be a draw, because the absence of New Manchester United's key player, Juninho, would surely have a significant impact on the team.
Brighton also feared New Manchester United's attacking power, and given that a draw would be a win for them, they had no reason to play an attacking game against New Manchester United.
Just as Martin Tyler predicted, Brighton's starting lineup for this match was a 4-4-2 formation with two defensive midfielders.
The two strikers were still a tall-and-fast combination, but both wingers were players with stronger defensive ability.
Clearly, Brighton were determined to play a defensive counterattacking game in this match.
"We've just received New Manchester United's starting lineup, and it's somewhat surprising, Martin. Look, they've actually lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. Main striker Kitson isn't starting. Instead, it's Crouch and Palacio. The two wingers are Hleb and Wright-Phillips, and the central midfielders are the two youngsters, De Rossi and Essien. The defence remains unchanged: Abidal, Terry, Curtis, and Bosingwa, with Almunia in goal!"
Scarlett's tone was somewhat surprised as she announced the starting lineup, and she believed that the viewers in front of their televisions would be just as surprised as she was.
This was because New Manchester United had been consistently playing a 4-3-3 formation all season, and they had never before started De Rossi and Essien together in midfield.
"If I didn't know that New Manchester United were determined to win this match, I think quite a few people would suspect that New Manchester United had given up on this game!" Scarlett said with a wry smile.
"That's not it. I think Mourinho wants to surprise them. In this match, I believe both sides are very clear about each other's tactics. Mourinho is simply taking advantage of Juninho's absence to boldly change the formation. This is a gamble. If he wins, it's a stroke of genius, but if he loses, he'll have to endure the supporters' criticism!"
After speaking, Martin Tyler chuckled.
He had a high regard for New Manchester United's manager, who was very good at motivating players and supporters in the stands.
At the same time, he increasingly admired this team under Mourinho's leadership. It was a team always full of fighting spirit and aggression.
"Hey, we can see that New Manchester United's on-field captain for this match is actually Curtis Davies. This youngster, who has just turned sixteen, is wearing the captain's armband of a professional team. This is probably a rare situation in the English professional leagues, and even in professional leagues around the world!" Scarlett exclaimed with even greater surprise.
Martin Tyler also noticed it, but he wore a wry smile.
He even wondered if this might be one of New Manchester United's tactics to confuse their opponents.
...
Curtis slowly approached the referee, who looked at the seemingly naive young man with some surprise, seemingly curious as to why he was wearing the captain's armband, especially when seeing him standing there somewhat at a loss.
After a few routine instructions, the referee immediately flipped a coin.
Since Brighton called tails, the referee assumed Curtis called heads.
When he opened his hand, the coin on the back of his hand was indeed heads.
"You choose!" the referee said, pointing at Curtis.
The latter took a deep breath and pointed to the opposite side. "That side!"
"Do you want to switch sides?" the referee asked, somewhat surprised.
Although the person who called the coin correctly could choose which side to attack, it was generally rare to switch, as both teams were already in position, unless there were special circumstances.
"Ah, no, it's not that. I... we'll kick off first!" Curtis stammered in explanation.
Brighton's captain sneered when he saw Curtis like this.
So, he was an inexperienced rookie. That would make him easier to deal with!
He was Brighton's main striker. Speed was his advantage, and he was also Brighton's weapon on the counterattack.
He had been signed from League Two for a large sum of money this season, and he had scored twenty-seven goals for Brighton this season, making him the top scorer in League Two.
The referee found this young man quite interesting and smiled. "Don't be nervous. It's okay, take your time. You want to kick off first, right?"
Curtis nodded heavily.
In the dressing room earlier, the manager had instructed them to choose kick-off if they won the coin toss.
The referee looked at Brighton's captain, who had no objection, so it was decided.
Having endured this agonizing moment, Curtis slowly walked back to his own half, vigorously patting his cheeks with both hands and taking a few deep breaths to calm himself.
He felt he was too nervous!
Just then, a chorus of singing erupted from the stands.
"C-U-R-T-I-S, Curtis! C-U-R-T-I-S, Curtis!"
New Manchester United supporters had actually turned the letters of Curtis's name into a song, singing each letter with a melody before forcefully shouting Curtis's name at the end.
Initially, only a portion of the New Manchester United supporters were chanting, but gradually, it spread to all of them.
More than a thousand people sang in unison, repeatedly chanting this song specially made for Curtis.
Curtis stood on the pitch, filled with emotion, feeling as if he were a singer holding a solo concert, and everyone present was his fan.
That feeling of being the center of attention was fantastic!
Turning his head, Curtis saw the taxi driver, Jim.
He had painted his face, clearly showing New Manchester United's club crest, but his chubby face was still easily recognizable.
He was the first to loudly sing Curtis's name, and he was still singing himself hoarse, leading all the surrounding New Manchester United supporters.
This deeply moved Curtis.
He took a deep breath and ran toward his position, throwing all his nervousness to the wind.
With so many supporters backing me, what do I have to fear?
The boss is right. We are New Manchester United, the fearless Red Rebels.
The boss isn't afraid, the manager isn't afraid, the supporters aren't afraid, my teammates aren't afraid, so what am I afraid of?
Thinking of this, Curtis's head suddenly heated up, and he yelled at his teammates who were about to kick off, "Lads, let's get them!"
The New Manchester United players, already stirred up by the singing of their supporters, immediately responded in unison to Curtis's roar.
Their momentum, echoing the New Manchester United supporters in the stands, seemed to want to swallow the entire Withdean Stadium.
...
"Crouch kicks off!"
"New Manchester United continue their style from throughout the season. Their passing is fluid, and the overall tempo is fast. After two passes through midfield and defence, the ball reaches Hleb!"
"Hleb, facing two defenders closing in, passes the ball back to Bosingwa, who is supporting him. Bosingwa shifts it into the centre, De Rossi passes left to the retreating Wright-Phillips. Phillips dribbles forward, beats an opposing defender, crosses, Crouch heads for goal, but it's high!"
"We can see that New Manchester United are still maintaining their usual style in this match: quick passing, very concise. But Crouch, who is starting in place of Kitson, is not a powerful target man. Heading is not his strong suit, despite his height. This has caused several of New Manchester United's attacks to be thwarted in the box."
"I still question Mourinho's purpose in starting Crouch in this match. You know, Kitson's strength is something Crouch doesn't possess. He's been one of New Manchester United's best players this season, and in a tough, physical match like this, he's exactly what's needed to make an impact in the box. Mourinho has no reason not to see that point." Martin Tyler felt puzzled. He thought that if he could understand the issue, Mourinho surely could as well.
And once an attack broke down, it was easy for Brighton to seize the opportunity to counterattack.
It had to be remembered that Brighton were a team with incredibly strong counterattacking ability!
Soon, another New Manchester United attack came to nothing.
Brighton's goal kick quickly went short to the full-back.
The full-back took advantage of New Manchester United's retreating defence and moved the ball into the centre.
The defensive midfielder then played a through ball behind the defence, and the number eleven captain suddenly burst forward, like a sharp arrow shooting toward New Manchester United's goal.
(To be continued.)
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