Chapter 368: The Red Card Penalty Package
For Manchester City fans, the real match has only just begun as they see the familiar style of their team returning.
"Manchester United is indeed a strong opponent, I quite like them!" "They deserve our respect. Beating such an opponent makes the victory much more valuable!" "This is an exciting match! United has given us plenty of trouble, but I believe we will be the ultimate winners!"
City fans at Old Trafford praised United in the tone of victors, as if showing sportsmanship by acknowledging their opponent would highlight their own impending victory.
Six minutes after trailing for the second time, City equalized once more. This goal was infused with Guardiola's signature style: they practically passed the ball into the net!
Sterling, David Silva, De Bruyne, Nolito... finally, Iheanacho finished off the dazzling sequence by slotting the ball into United's goal!
City's commentators went wild, showering praise on the team.
"City! What a brilliant goal! This is the City we know! This is the Guardiola-led team we recognize!" "Iheanacho scores! He brings the game level again!" "United fans only enjoyed their lead for six minutes before the powerful City showed their sharp fangs!" "This is City! This is Guardiola's team!!" "United's second goal was indeed spectacular but somewhat complicated, requiring a second attempt to score. City's goal was smooth and direct, showing clear intent to score... the difference in quality is evident!"
In a chorus of boos from the Old Trafford crowd, City's players huddled together, celebrating as if they had already won. United's players, however, stood dejected on the pitch.
The blow was significant. After working so hard to lead for the second time, they were level again in less than ten minutes. Many United players wiped the sweat from their faces, unsure of what to do next.
Can we really win?
Bruno's somewhat hoarse voice broke through: "We can win! It's just a tie! We just need to score one more! If we can lead twice, we can lead a third time!!"
While the entire team felt the weight of the conceded goal, Bruno remained full of fighting spirit.
"There are still over twenty minutes left, enough time for us to score! Believe in our attacking power! City can't hold us back!"
He encouraged everyone, slowly lifting their heads. As City's celebration wound down, Bruno picked up the ball and ran to the center circle, determined to show his teammates that he would make good on his words.
"What an exceptional player..." Lineker remarked, watching Bruno.
MUTV's commentator added, "It's just a tie, nothing major! We just need one more goal to lead again. If we can lead in the 80th minute, this game is essentially won! I don't believe City can level the score again so quickly!"
He wasn't just trying to boost Bruno's morale; he was also encouraging himself and the disheartened United fans watching on TV. Believe in this man, he always creates miracles!
However, this time it seemed fate was not on Bruno and United's side. In the 71st minute, United suffered another blow. They were still reeling from the equalizer when City launched a quick counterattack. Newly substituted Sane found himself with a one-on-one chance!
"Sane! Sane! What a chance for City! An excellent opportunity!!" City's commentators shouted frantically.
The crowd at the stadium followed suit, with over two thousand visiting City fans cheering wildly for their player, while more than seventy thousand United fans at Old Trafford made as much noise as possible to distract Sane.
United's last defender, Maguire, saw Sane entering the penalty area and decided to slide in for the tackle. However, he missed the ball as Sane feinted and created an angle. Maguire's only thought was to stop him, no matter what.
He lifted his toe while on the ground, hooking Sane's foot. Sane flew forward, his foot dragging behind him, and fell. The ball was lost.
"PENALTY!!!" City fans roared in anger.
The commentators echoed, "Penalty!"
The referee's whistle blew as he ran into the penalty area, pointing to the spot! It was indeed a penalty!!
"Yes——!!!" Over two thousand City fans at Old Trafford raised their hands high, waving them in the air.
Meanwhile, the majority of United fans booed the penalty decision vehemently.
"United has taken a heavy hit, facing another potential goal just five minutes after conceding—Maguire tripped Sane in the box, resulting in a penalty!"
While commentators discussed the impact of the penalty on the game, the referee made another move, pulling out a red card from his chest pocket!
"A red... red card? Red card! Maguire is sent off!"
"Whoa——this match has reached its climax! United not only concedes a penalty, but Maguire is also sent off!"
"United is doomed... With twenty minutes left, facing a penalty and a red card, I don't see how they can beat City."
United fans clasped their heads in disbelief. They hadn't expected such dramatic twists in this match. They had the upper hand, but within ten minutes, City took control.
The TV showed Maguire's face full of pain and despair, but United fans watching at home felt even worse.
Facing a penalty and losing a key defender left United not only a goal down but also numerically disadvantaged. The match seemed all but over.
No team in the current football world could likely come back against City with one player less, especially when they needed to push forward to equalize, leaving themselves vulnerable to more goals.
Yes, United fans felt they were already behind. Despite De Gea's world-class status, his penalty-saving record was poor—only one save out of 19 penalties faced in his Premier League career. The save was in October 2014, against Everton defender Baines.
With United seemingly on the verge of losing, City needed only one more chance to make it 4-2, effectively ending the game.
Was United really finished?
Lineker voiced his discontent on TV: "This is unfair! This decision is questionable. Maguire's foul warranted a penalty, maybe a yellow card, but a red card is too harsh... It ruins the match's balance and excitement! This game has been one of the best in recent Premier League seasons, but it will be ruined by this red card!"
He kept complaining, but his words seemed irrelevant. What could a commentator's grievances change?
Players surrounded the referee, trying to sway his decision, but to no avail. Sane, who had just gotten up, was embraced by his teammates, celebrating.
United players crowded the referee, some protesting the dive, others the red card. But the referee remained unmoved, shaking his head and motioning them to back off. A heated Rashford received a yellow card for dissent.
City fans cheered while United fans showered the referee with boos. But the outcome was set: United was down to ten men and faced a penalty.
Online, United fans were furious, venting their frustration.
"Bloody hell! Corrupt referee, run for it!" "So shameless! So despicable!" "See, Mourinho's curse strikes again, United are being targeted!" "No way, City already has the league title in the bag? Why, I don't know!" ...
In fairness, the penalty and red card were justifiable, though the referee's grasp of the game's excitement was lacking, far from being corrupt.
Mourinho was livid after the penalty decision, roaring at the fourth official for a full minute, to no avail, before being pulled back by his assistant.
United couldn't afford to lose their coach on top of a player, or the game would be utterly lost.
(End of Chapter)
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