Chapter 39 Heavy Cannon in the Penalty Area! After this goal, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half shortly after.
Sheffield United entered halftime with a 3-0 lead, a first for them this season.
The players were beaming, chatting and laughing in groups as they left the field.
"One goal and one assist, you're definitely the man of the match."
Gilbert walked next to Maël, full of envy. "How do you train usually? How did you improve so fast?"
In the eight months since he'd known Maël, he had watched him go from being unable to play in the youth team, to suddenly figuring things out and being loaned to Sheffield United, and now to his amazing performance, creating two goals in the first half! Even though he trained with Maël every day, and even though he had improved quickly... compared to Maël, it was like heaven and earth.
"Just practice casually." Maël chuckled, brushing it off.
"What do you mean 'definitely the man of the match'?"
A voice came from behind. It was Bologanovic, who seemed very happy to have scored a goal, full of confidence. "Maybe I can score two more and get a hat-trick."
"Wouldn't that depend on Maël's crosses?"
Gilbert put an arm around Maël and another around Bologanovic. "His crosses are top-notch in the EFL Championship."
"That makes sense." Bologanovic nodded. As a target man, he really did need Maël.
He sidled up to Maël, trying to curry favor. "Let me wash your shoes for you, I'm an expert."
"No need." Maël smiled and shook his head. He preferred to wash his own shoes.
As the three of them were talking, they came across the beaming Gareth Speed, who seemed to have been waiting for them.
"One goal and three assists in two games, you're aiming for the player of the month award."
Gareth Speed stepped forward and shook Maël's hand tightly, then pulled him into a hug, his face glowing. "I'm lucky to have young talents like you."
"The award is still a long way off." Maël waved his hand modestly, but he was intrigued.
For a young player like him, just starting out, winning a monthly award would be a milestone in his career.
He set this goal and decided to work towards it.
Gareth Speed greeted the other players, and Maël went into the locker room to rest. The game wasn't over yet, and he wanted to strive for even greater achievements and performances.
...
"OhleOhleOhle!"
Amidst the fans' cheers, the second half of the match kicked off in full swing. The two sides switched sides and plunged into a new round of fighting.
It was unknown what kind of magic potion Landers had given the Preston players, but they launched a series of continuous attacks at the start of the half.
"Boom!"
First, their winger performed a classic cut inside shot, but the ball was saved by goalkeeper Robert, only to fall back to the feet of a Preston player.
This player didn't hesitate and crossed the ball directly.
The ball was barely cleared by Steven's sliding tackle, but it landed at the feet of another opponent.
"Boom, boom!"
Preston played a brilliant two-on-one on the wing, tearing apart Sheffield's defense, and then sent in another high cross.
The ball was headed by the Preston center forward, whistling towards the goal.
With a 'slap', goalkeeper Robert heroically saved the ball, rescuing the team.
Preston won a corner.
"Hey!"
Gareth Speed's anxious voice came from the sidelines. He pointed to his head with both fingers, signaling the players to concentrate. "Second post! Pay attention to protecting the second ball!"
The defenders nodded silently, indicating that they had noted it, but their minds were still muddled, a little dazed by the three opening attacks of the second half.
Preston's corner was taken quickly, and the ball flew rapidly towards the far post.
Robert still wanted to save the team, so he chose to come out and catch the ball, but the ball was too high and spinning too fast, slipping past his fingertips.
"Boom!"
The Preston center-back, lurking at the far post, jumped high and smashed a powerful header, the ball flying into the empty net without any suspense.
Goal! Three to one!
Preston pulls one back! "Oh!" The thousands of Preston fans who traveled to Bramall Lane erupted in a faint cheer, seeing a glimmer of hope again.
The Preston center-back who scored the goal ran towards the goal, picked up the ball, tucked it under his arm, and ran back.
There's still time, they can still fight for victory!
"Ah," Gareth Speed on the sidelines sat back down in disappointment. They still conceded a goal. He had hoped for a clean sheet victory.
Just accept it, there are too many imperfections in life. Be content with the lead.
"Bang!"
Evans kicked off from the center circle, and the game returned to normal, with the Sheffield United players rushing into the opponent's half.
This time, they chose a change of pace. Instead of simply passing back and hoofing it long, Janu Hans suddenly turned and cut inside from the middle with the ball.
They wanted to catch their opponents off guard in this way.
This wasn't something they had specifically trained for, it just came from the conversation between a few of them just now.
That's how football is, you have to find ways to change things, even if it means taking some risks.
Janu Hans's change was successful. Before the opponent could react, he dribbled past the halfway line and maintained his high-speed momentum.
"Bang!"
After reaching the attacking third, he passed the ball to Ward on the other side, who had a one-on-one opportunity against the opponent's full-back.
"Come on, come on!"
"Cross it!"
Many Sheffield United players rushed into the penalty area, waiting for the cross, including Maël.
Ward didn't disappoint everyone. He successfully created an angle and sent a cross towards the center.
But the Preston defender anticipated the position and poked the ball away with the inside of his foot.
As luck would have it, the ball ended up near Evans's head, who was very close to him. The football changed trajectory and slipped towards the penalty area.
A player wearing a red and white striped jersey appeared in the path of the ball, as if he had been waiting for this opportunity since the Preston defender made his move.
"Bang!!"
He unleashed his stance, drew back his leg like a bow, and fired a Heavy Cannon in the Penalty Area towards the goal.
Even though he was very close, he still used an unreasonable powerful shot!
In an instant, the football lifted off the ground and made solid contact with the net, emitting a crisp and melodious sound, "Swish!"
Goal again!
Four to one!
"Beep!" The referee raised his right hand, pointing to the center circle, indicating that the goal was valid.
"Yeah!" The home fans instantly emerged from the silence of just conceding a goal and once again plunged into ecstatic revelry.
Gareth Speed, who had been sitting back down on the coach's bench in a low mood, jumped up again and punched the air before his butt had even warmed the seat, "Ah!"
This time, his voice was filled with fervor.
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