bdsm-fiction Chapter 79: Two consecutive victories at the start of the tournament!
Chapter 79: Two consecutive victories at the start of the tournament!
After scoring, Stubbs rushed off the field, shouting in a language no one could understand to celebrate.
As a center-back who doesn't score often, he naturally didn't design any goal-scoring moves; he just yelled and that was it.
Behind him, Everton players rushed out one by one, running with their captain to the away stands.
Elland Road was silent, with only a few Everton fans cheering.
After the first goal, Leeds United fans believed they would easily defeat their opponents at home today;
But to everyone's surprise, Everton scored two goals in just over ten minutes, turning the score around!
Ye Xian, standing on the sidelines, also pumped his fist and gave Moyes a hug.
"Ye, that was a beautiful goal!"
Moyes's usually unsmiling face was now beaming with a smile as bright as a chrysanthemum.
Yes, that goal was absolutely perfect.
Although it looked like just a second attack after a corner kick, everyone strictly followed the tactical tasks arranged by Ye Xian before the match.
The two full-backs provided cover near the halfway line. From Alves receiving the ball and decisively finding Drogba, to Drogba heading the ball to Rooney who made a timely run, and finally Rooney passing to Stubbs to score, every step of the process was as precise as a well-oiled machine.
In this process, Alves' long passes, Drogba's aerial prowess, and Rooney's breakthroughs and crosses all showcased their abilities to the fullest.
As for Stubbs's shot into the empty net at the end, that was the least significant part.
While Ye Xian and Moyes were embracing and celebrating their goal, Venables on the other side was looking this way.
The veteran British manager really didn't expect Everton's attack to be so decisive and effective.
He could even tell that this wasn't an impromptu act by the players on the field, but rather a routine they had practiced many times in training.
Everton players generally act without thinking; for example, when Alves made a long pass, Rooney on the right had already made a run without hesitation.
This way, Drogba's header can land precisely in the open space on the right flank.
If you say this wasn't practiced, who would believe you?
"I never expected that this young Chinese coach would be so meticulous in tactical training..." Venables nodded, then shook his head.
The nod was a sign of Ye Xian's approval.
The head shake reflects concern about the second half of the game...
Soon, the referee blew his whistle, and the first half ended.
Leeds United are currently trailing Everton 1-2.
During the 15-minute halftime break, neither side made any adjustments to their lineups or tactics.
Everton are in high spirits right now, so Ye Xian doesn't need to take the initiative to withdraw; he should let everyone play according to the established strategy.
With Leeds United already trailing, Venables was even less likely to tighten his defense.
They need to bring out the spirit of the "Young Guard" they had when they reached the Champions League semi-finals and launch a siege on Everton's position!
But Everton were even more "youthful" than them, running even more frantically and tackling even more fiercely!
Thus, this "siege" did not last long.
Once Leeds United's attack reaches midfield, it encounters layers of resistance and is often blocked directly by players like Alonso and Li Tie.
Once Everton gained possession, they didn't try to control the tempo; instead, they charged forward relentlessly, relentlessly attacking Leeds United's defense.
Leeds United's goal, on the contrary, was constantly under threat.
It just goes to show how important morale is for a team!
This is especially fatal for two very young teams.
In the first few minutes of the second half, Leeds United came out of the dressing room with the buff of the coach's shouts and rushed around a few times.
But after receiving an even stronger counterattack, I felt completely unable to recover.
They were even forced to defend in front of their own penalty area by Everton!
This made Venables very anxious.
He stood on the sidelines waving his hands repeatedly, signaling the players to move forward.
People need to move forward, and the ball needs to be passed forward as well.
How can you score if you're always in your own half?
The problem is, you can't just move forward whenever you want.
Everton's players' wide-ranging runs and pressing made it difficult for Leeds United players to find suitable passing options in the first instance.
Many times, when Leeds United take a goal kick, they find that every player is surrounded by Everton players lurking around.
If even a normal ball pass is difficult, how can one calmly organize an attack?
Left with no other option, Leeds United could only resort to repeatedly launching long balls forward.
However, in this type of long pass from the backfield, the defending team is facing the ball directly, while the attacking team is facing away from the goal, giving the defending players a natural advantage.
In addition, Everton's two center-backs, Stubbs and Weir, are both tall and strong, so they are not afraid to face Leeds United's forwards head-on.
It's safe to say there's absolutely no threat!
60 minutes.
Goalkeeper Paul Robinson launched another long ball into the attacking third.
But Everton still managed to get the first point.
Then left-back Grosso got the ball and started moving forward.
The Leeds United players immediately tensed up.
The previous goal was initiated by Everton's full-back. Although this time it's the other way around, we can't let our guard down!
Leeds United's right winger, Alan Smith, immediately came over to defend.
At the same time, their defenders closely marked the three forwards, Ronaldo, Drogba, and Rooney, to prevent Grosso from passing the ball to them and creating attacking opportunities.
But to their surprise, Grosso did not choose to pass the ball this time.
Under Ronaldo's cover, he actually made his way all the way to Leeds United's baseline!
That scene even reminded Ye Xian on the sidelines of the "great Italian left-back" from the 2006 World Cup...
However, Grosso did not choose to dribble into the penalty area at this point.
Instead, they delivered a cutback cross, sending the ball directly to the edge of the penalty area!
Because all the Leeds United defenders were focused on Everton's attacking trio that had rushed into the penalty area, no one noticed that a blue figure had already moved up from behind.
Number 10! Alonso!
As he ran to the edge of the penalty area, Grosso's pass came right in front of him.
Alonso drew his bow and shot!
He miraculously flicked the ball so low it almost touched the ground, traveling in a straight line past goalkeeper Paul Robinson and into the Leeds United goal behind him.
1: 3!
Everton have scored again!
The entire Elland Road stadium fell silent instantly.
Everton's attacking firepower is simply terrifying!
Even though Leeds United had completely neutralized their forwards, they were still able to launch attacks through their defense and score long-range goals from midfield!
The Everton players on the field had completely surrounded Alonso.
However, despite it being his first goal in the Premier League, Alonso remained relatively calm, simply hugging and high-fiving each of his teammates.
After all, he's Brother Long; his mentality is always steady.
After Alonso's goal virtually sealed Everton's victory, Ye Xian began making substitutions.
In particular, bringing on Li Weifeng allowed Da Tou to make his Premier League debut!
He also performed well in the remaining half hour, working alongside the captain to consistently head back Leeds United's somewhat risky long passes.
Neither side managed to score again.
In the end, Everton defeated Leeds United away from home, achieving two consecutive wins at the start of the Premier League season!