Evans, the front striker, was substituted, and Adam White—already warmed up and waiting in the technical area—stood ready for inspection by the fourth official.
"Adam White is coming on!!"
The TV broadcast immediately cut to Manchester City manager Mark Hughes on the touchline. Manchester City had been linked with several young prospects recently, and Adam White was one of them.
Hughes had spoken highly of Adam's performance against Chelsea, even going so far as to say:
"He's a genius talent—comparable to Wayne Rooney!"
But he didn't stop there. Hughes followed with a controversial remark:
"Leaving a player this gifted in League Two, under the management of a Chinese coach? That's irresponsible for English football."
The comment didn't sit well with Ethan.
"What does he mean by 'irresponsible' just because I'm Chinese?" Ethan muttered to himself, glancing over at Hughes with pride. "It must sting, being outplayed by someone you don't even think belongs here."
Adam White has been making headlines lately. Thanks in part to Mark Hughes' comments, he's become the most talked-about player at Luton—surpassing even the team's top striker, Jamie Vardy. But Vardy is only 21 and a promising English forward in his own right.
"He plays with that classic English edge," said Redknapp on commentary. "But I think Adam White is about to replace him."
Letkinson nodded. "It looks like a straight swap up front. With a three-goal lead, Ethan isn't likely to touch his midfield or back line."
But when the fourth official raised the board, everyone was stunned.
"Wait... Coach Ethan is taking off Kevin Keane?!" Guangti's commentator He Hongfa was visibly surprised. "Is this... an attacking move?"
Letkinson chuckled knowingly. "Looks like Ethan didn't appreciate Mark Hughes' comments. He's sending a message."
Mark Hughes' face turned grim.
To him, this wasn't just a substitution—it was an insult.
Down 3–0, Hughes might have expected Luton to defend the lead. But instead, Ethan was adding another forward, turning the screw even more.
"This isn't just aggressive—it's personal," Redknapp said. "Ethan wants more goals."
But in reality, the decision was already planned.
Kevin Keane, wearing the No. 10 shirt, knew he wouldn't play the full 90. Before the match, Ethan had informed him of the plan. The medical staff, led by Haruko Sakuragi, had warned that pushing Keane too hard after his recent recovery might risk aggravating the injury.
This wasn't about humiliation—it was a calculated, cautious move.
Still, Ethan didn't feel the need to explain himself. In football, the scoreboard speaks louder than words.
Keane removed the captain's armband, raised his hands to acknowledge the fans, and received a thunderous ovation from the home crowd.
He jogged over to George Parker and handed over the armband. The two captains embraced, and Keane, after exchanging a hug with Adam White, left the pitch.
"Go get changed, Kevin," Ethan said, giving him a high-five. "You were brilliant out there."
"Thanks, boss! I'm still buzzing—we're heading to the FA Cup quarterfinals!" Keane replied, beaming with pride as he returned to the bench.
On the pitch, Manchester City had resorted to classic English football—two big center-forwards, and long balls from deep. It was starting to pay off. Their pressure was mounting.
In the 76th minute, a long ball from the back found Evans, who flicked it down with a header to Robinho.
For the first time all game, Robinho got the better of N'Golo Kanté. He sprinted onto the pass and unleashed a shot!
BANG—
Off the crossbar!
Mark Hughes nearly leapt out of his skin. It was Manchester City's best chance of the night.
"Robinho... ohhh... the bar!!!" the commentator shouted as the crowd gasped.
Luton keeper Claude Rondo reacted instantly, leaping up and snatching the rebound from mid-air.
"Claude!!!" Ethan bellowed from the touchline, gesturing like a conductor commanding an orchestra.
Rondo understood. He sprinted forward and launched a powerful throw—almost a half-pitch assist in itself.
The ball soared past midfield.
"Adam White!!!"
Adam was ready. He spun, took the ball in stride, and charged forward with electric pace.
That feeling was back.
The feeling of flying across the pitch. The thrill of open space ahead. And the ball at his feet.
Adam felt incredible. What he didn't realize was that his surge of form had everything to do with the hidden "card factor" Ethan had activated within him.
With Manchester City's defense stretched thin, only Wayne Bridge remained at the back. The former Chelsea left-back, known for his pace and experience, now had the daunting task of stopping Adam one-on-one.
Bridge wasn't slow by any means—but Adam was quicker, and they both knew it.
Bridge did the smart thing: he didn't dive in. Instead, he backpedaled, angling his body to force Adam wide. If he could push Adam toward the flank and away from the danger zone, the defense would hold.
Adam's direct path to goal was blocked—he had no choice but to cut toward the right wing. But even while drifting wide, his blistering speed meant Bridge was barely hanging on.
"Watch your teammates' positions!!" Ethan's voice rang out in his mind like a coach's sixth sense kicking in.
Adam carried the ball to the edge of the right side of the box and lifted his head to scan the area.
There! Jamie Vardy was darting toward the near post!
"Pass it!!!"
Ethan shouted from the sidelines—and in the stands, the roar from Luton fans echoed the command.
Adam didn't hesitate. With a sharp motion, he swung his right foot and whipped a low cross into the penalty area.
"Vardy!!!"
The commentator's voice boomed as Vardy met the ball on the run, flicking it with the outside of his right boot. The ball curled past the keeper and into the net!
"GOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!"
There was no question of offside this time—it was clean, it was sharp, it was unstoppable.
On the touchline, Ethan sprinted nearly ten meters in celebration before sliding on his knees across the grass in pure joy.
"Haha! Look at Coach Ethan—absolutely ecstatic! This young manager celebrates like he's still playing. What a passionate guy!" Letkinson laughed on commentary.
Meanwhile, Mark Hughes could only rub his face in frustration.
His team had been dismantled—humiliated.
"And Adam White, the player Manchester City was trying to sign, just showed exactly why they wanted him…right in front of their own manager. Talk about self-promotion," Letkinson added.
That comment didn't sit well with the Luton faithful.
"Get lost! He's OUR player!!!"
All across downtown Luton, fans were cheering, chanting, and letting the world know—Adam White belonged to them.