Chapter 375: Chapter 375

The football was controlled back and forth under Tang Long’s feet, shifting the rhythm and drawing Everton players into motion through cross-field passes.

However, the fans in the stands were anxious, continuously shouting "Attack, attack! Score, score!", eager to see Everton overwhelmed in the first 10 minutes with an opening blitz.

In the 6th minute of the game, Manchester City launched an offensive wave.

This attack was initiated from the backfield.

Caballero, improving with each game after his consecutive starts, gradually found his form.

In truth, he wasn’t lacking in skill, but having been a long-term substitute for Hart, his touch was rusty, which led to his error in the first game.

In fact, in the second game against Liverpool, not only did Caballero not commit any mistakes, but he also performed well, saving Benteke’s one-on-one shot.

In this match, he also fully demonstrated the advantage of the Argentine goalkeeper’s adeptness with foot play and seamlessly connected with ball-playing center-back Ranocchia.

"Lukaku, challenge him!"

Seeing Ranocchia dawdle with the ball, Everton’s coach Martinez waved his hand, signaling Lukaku to press him!

At this time, Lukaku hadn’t experienced his muscle gain phase at Manchester United; standing at 1.90 meters tall, his abdomen was flat, his legs slender, with long hair, making him look like a delicate Black lad.

Faced with the swiftly approaching Lukaku, Ranocchia remained unperturbed, holding the ball steadily.

Only when Lukaku was within a meter did Ranocchia pass the ball back to goalkeeper Caballero.

"Keep going, block the keeper!"

With urgent cries from the sideline coach, Lukaku dashed towards Caballero again, undeterred.

But just when he thought Caballero would take a long shot, the Argentine keeper feigned with a quick flick of his ankle, sending the ball arc softly over Lukaku’s head and back to center-back Ranocchia.

Caballero’s move showed remarkable skill and bravery, daring to tease the opposing tall striker with a lob in the penalty area!

The 50,000 spectators at Etihad Stadium first gasped in awe, followed by a tidal wave of applause for Caballero!

Lukaku, after being teased, felt indignant and quickly turned back, charging towards Ranocchia again.

This time, however, Ranocchia gave Lukaku no chance, suddenly accelerating in place, dribbling the ball forward in his trademark center-back advance.

Despite being a center-back, his speed was not slower than forward Lukaku’s, he charged over 20 meters until almost the halfway line before passing the ball to Navas on the right flank.

Turning to see the panting Lukaku, Ranocchia grinned smugly, "Heh heh, I just want to drain your stamina!"

Faced with Ranocchia’s sudden speed-up, Navas caught on immediately.

After receiving the ball, with no pause, he executed a quick cross-pass to Tang Long in the middle and then darted forward, pulling away one full-back.

Tang Long displayed his signature through pass!

With his blazing speed, Navas sprinted past full-back Coleman, reaching Everton’s byline.

"He’s going for a high cross, watch the center forward!"

Goalkeeper Handanovic hurriedly directed his center-back Jiang Guangtai to stay close to Bony.

In the pre-match tactical analysis, Everton’s coach Martinez told the players that Navas’ trademark is his high cross from the wing.

Although his passes are very precise, they aren’t fast, so sticking tight to the center forward in the penalty area is key to diffusing the attack.

However, Navas was able to secure his position at Manchester City not by relying on just one trick!

For his first cross, he went against expectations by not sending a high ball but by sweeping a reverse cutback, returning the ball to the top of the penalty area!

This cutback came fiercely, not with the usual instep but with a follow-through shot power, so when the ball reached Tang Long’s feet, Everton’s players were caught off guard.

Facing the incoming ball, Tang Long used his left foot to gently cushion it, making the fierce incoming ball as soft as cotton, landing steadily at his feet.

Before the Etihad spectators could even cheer for Tang Long’s brilliant ball control, he suddenly flicked the ball to the right with a swift inside cut and immediately followed with a leg swing!

"Block his shot!" Handanovic shouted nervously.

He knew Tang Long’s frightening aspect was his adept use of rhythm changes to create unpredictable plays.

After this ball control, with a sudden acceleration inside cut, he undoubtedly aimed to shoot!

Due to Navas’ quick cutback, Tang Long’s subsequent linking movements flowed smoothly like clouds and water.

So the Everton midfielder Barry, supposed to guard the arc area, lost his position!

Fortunately, the young Jiang Guangtai reacted quickly!

He dove like a fierce tiger, breaking away from Bony, rushing from the penalty area to the arc area in two strides, executing a flying tackle!

His left foot raised high while diving.

The tall Jiang Guangtai had full confidence that Tang Long’s shot wouldn’t go beyond the penalty area and would be blocked by his massive body.

Yet Jiang Guangtai ended up missing!

Tang Long initially intended to shoot, but seeing the opponent’s center-back charging fiercely, he flicked his right foot to the left, smoothly bypassing Jiang Guangtai.

Jiang Guangtai was shocked; before he could rise, he watched Tang Long, with his left foot, neatly pass the ball to Bony within the penalty area.

"Shit, I lost position!"

Jiang Guangtai clambered up in embarrassment, rushing towards Bony, who was supposed to be his defensive responsibility.

But by that time, Bony had already poised to shoot!

Returning to the starting lineup, Bony was overwhelmed with excitement.

However, during the shot, he felt a bit nervous, which slightly warped his technique; he intended to curl it towards the far corner, but the angle didn’t open.

Handanovic stretched his left leg to the ground, blocking the ball with his foot.

Manchester City fans held their heads in dismay!

Only seven or eight meters in front of the goal, unguarded, Bony missed! What use are you! Go back to your Swansea!

Luckily, the ball didn’t rebound too far; instead, it rolled back toward Bony, and by this time, Jiang Guangtai had already returned to defense.

On his second chance, Bony finally calmed down.

He didn’t hastily attempt a follow-up shot but used his strong physique to contend evenly with Jiang Guangtai.

In this tussle, Bony showcased his Swansea-era prowess.

He first stretched out a foot to secure position, then turned his backside towards the oncoming Jiang Guangtai’s waist, crashing into him with a "boom," knocking him over a meter away~

The strongest muscles of football players are always their gluteus muscles!

In this confrontation, young center-back Jiang Guangtai paid the price for his lack of experience.

After brushing off Jiang Guangtai, Bony was even closer to the goal, almost inside the small penalty area!

This time his shot was astute; even with Handanovic covering a large area of the angle, it was still poked through by the toe, slipping through the small gap.

"Goal, I scored! La la la la la!"

Bony dashed madly towards the corner flag, breaking into an impromptu Côte d’Ivoire folk dance, limbs flailing.

From the blocked shot to a follow-up goal, the whole sequence happened so quickly, within just two or three seconds; many Manchester City fans in the stands, who were holding their heads just moments before, were now excitedly raising their arms overhead.

"Bony!!!!" The fans began chanting the goal scorer’s name.

Surrounded by his teammates, Bony’s eyes were red with emotion.

This was his first goal of the season!

Although the process of scoring was a bit twisty, for a forward, once you pierce through that thin layer, the goals will come flowing in continuously from far and wide, Bony was convinced of this.

"The first one wasn’t so good, the second one was calm. Well done, Bony."

Bony turned back to see Tang Long smiling at him.

The Côte d’Ivoire forward was momentarily stunned.

This moment, filled with mixed feelings, he knew this goal came from Tang Long’s assist!

If it hadn’t been for Tang Long’s last-minute feint bypassing the charging center-back, accurately passing the ball to him, where would his shooting opportunity come from?

And the first shot, as Tang Long said, was terribly executed; luckily, the second chance follow-up shot went in, otherwise, it would truly have wasted Tang Long’s pass!

With a face full of guilt, Bony embraced Tang Long tightly, clutching his back with fingers almost digging into his skin.

"The pass was perfect, scared me to death, I nearly missed it, thank you, Tang!"