Bab 408: Destiny in Their Hands
Post-match, Aldrich and Vialli turned away from one another like they had just stepped on a landmine, completely dismissing any notion of a handshake. Given how heated things had gotten toward the end, it was a relief they didn't clash again!
Vialli was on the edge of losing his composure; Chelsea struggled to find space in their attacks and faced relentless counterattacks from Millwall, nearly conceding again. This was not the outcome he had anticipated. Against a superior Millwall, once they tightened their defense and weakened their attack, Chelsea's chances of scoring dwindled significantly.
And what about Aldridge? He doesn't want to get involved in any petty arguments - he knows the feeling all too well. Just last season, he nearly lost his temper on the touchline as Millwall endured their umpteenth park-the-bus tactic.
At the post-match press conference, Aldridge arrived a little later than scheduled. He went to the locker room to praise the players and persuade them to refocus. Regardless of Arsenal's score, both teams won, but Arsenal's big win means that the goal difference can no longer be easily made up in one game. But it doesn't matter, as long as Millwall wins the last two games, they can win the Premier League again.
Vialli was already in the spotlight, vehemently criticizing Millwall for their negative tactics after they had a player sent off, claiming that even if such a team won the league, it would be a disgrace.
When Aldrich finally took his seat at the press conference, reporters promptly relayed Vialli's comments to him for a response.
"I don't have much to say about Vialli's remarks, but I do have a question: if Chelsea were leading 3-1 with 23 minutes left and a player sent off, what would Chelsea do?"
The room erupted in knowing chuckles.
Vialli's outburst bore uncanny resemblance to Kevin Keegan's emotional meltdowns from years past.
He wanted to win desperately—perhaps too desperately—and he couldn't afford to lose.
After this match, Chelsea effectively signaled the end of their hopes for next season's Champions League.
They trailed Manchester United by three points, and it was virtually impossible to catch the top three teams in terms of goal difference. Even if the top teams lost one and won one of their final two matches, Chelsea would have to win both to have a shot at a top-three finish.
"Can we discuss Millwall's penalty and the red card?" came a question hinting at dissatisfaction with the referee.
Aldrich replied seriously, "The penalty was justified, and the red card was warranted. The referee performed very fairly today; I believe he did a great job."
Typically, comments about referee decisions are off-limits for coaches, but since the question was asked, Aldrich diplomatically stated that as long as the FA didn't impose additional penalties on Materazzi, he had no complaints.
"Materazzi's tackle was aimed at the ball, but Zola was quicker. Materazzi couldn't pull back in time and brought the opponent down. The referee's red card decision was correct, but it wasn't a malicious foul or a breach of sportsmanship."
Aldrich's words served to reduce the severity of Materazzi's case, hoping the FA wouldn't make a mountain out of a molehill.
"In the same round of matches, Charlton and Blackburn ended in a draw, confirming their relegation along with Nottingham Forest two rounds early. Everton has secured their safety, which means you'll be facing them next round—will it be an easy match for you?"
Aldrich was taken aback by this news.
Charlton and Blackburn drew?
Well, two sides in mutual destruction.
Both teams could have kept their hopes alive with a win, but now, having drawn, they were both set to drop down together.
Aldrich replied coolly, "Maybe it's good news, maybe not. Everton can approach the next match without pressure, but it's their last home game of the season, and they'll fight for their fans. If we underestimate them because they're safe, we might leave Goodison Park with sadness after 90 minutes."
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With two rounds left in the Premier League, it felt as if the football gods themselves were arguing over who would emerge victorious.
Fleet Street buzzed with speculation, simulating every possible outcome of the final two rounds for the title race.
Millwall had eliminated Chelsea from contention, now putting them on equal footing with Arsenal for the title, while Manchester United closed in closely. Fans eagerly awaited what might be the most thrilling conclusion to a season in history!
On May 7th, the full Millwall squad arrived in Liverpool, set to challenge Everton at Goodison Park.
In the previous day's fixtures, Manchester United had narrowly won 1-0 against Middlesbrough, regaining the top spot in the standings. Yet, no United fans were particularly thrilled; they anxiously tuned in to witness two other matches, hoping for a collapse from both Millwall and Arsenal.
Before the match, Aldrich motivated the team in the locker room.
"I know this has been a challenging season. Even before it began, we lost six key players. At the start of the season, more injuries forced several players to watch from the sidelines. But looking at it differently, it's this adversity that has made our resolve stronger. Despite facing hardships, we still hold hopes for the title. The Champions League exit is regrettable, but we'll come back next season. It's not time to relax; we have only three matches left, and every one is a final! In such high-stakes games, unleash the fighting spirit that you've shown all season. Let's win and reward ourselves with a lovely holiday, something we can cherish in our memories for years!"
As Aldrich finished speaking, the players in the locker room looked at him with puzzled expressions.
Aldrich touched his nose, wondering, "Is something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that?"
He even rubbed his mouth, thinking he had forgotten to wipe it after eating.
Gronkjaer spoke up with a strange look, "Boss, are you questioning our fighting spirit?"
The others nodded in agreement.
They weren't kids anymore.
With three crucial matches remaining, every one of them was vital, and winning all would bring home two prestigious trophies—the two most important domestic trophies in English football.
Who wouldn't want to add such glorious achievements to their resumes?
While they had previously won both the FA Cup and the league title...
But when they retire and look back at their careers, who wouldn't want a list of accolades thick with achievements?
Aldrich raised his hands in mock surrender, laughing, "Fine, I apologize! That was all nonsense, but I hope you won't give me a reason to get angry!"
The entire team chuckled, but their smiles faded, their eyes gleaming with the hunger of determined beasts.
At Goodison Park, Millwall players clearly exhibited their fighting spirit.
Everton, who just avoided relegation, had no fighting spirit at all in their last home game. They had done everything they could to achieve their goals in the previous battle for points to avoid relegation, and that mental fortitude seemed to be fading.
As long as Millwall didn't drop the ball or take them lightly, they would pose no threat away from home.
In the 21st minute of the first half, Henry received a pass from Nedved, pulling the ball to the side and turning to find his angle. With a quick shot from the edge of the box, he drove the ball into the lower right corner of the net.
"Henry has scored! He's found his rhythm under Aldrich and has performed increasingly well as a center-forward. His presence on the pitch makes it reasonable for Van Nistelrooy to sit on the bench."
Just before the end of the first half, Gronkjaer cut inside and unleashed a long-range shot, which was parried by the keeper. Larsson was quick to follow up, smashing home the rebound, putting Millwall 2-0 ahead of Everton.
At halftime, Aldrich told the team to relax in the second half. There was no need to be too greedy with a two-goal lead. As long as they didn't concede a goal and didn't get injured, they would be in better shape for the Premier League final.
In the second half, Everton's performance didn't improve, but Millwall also focused on controlling the tempo. The pace slowed down until just before the final whistle when Nedved added a thunderous strike from outside the box, sealing a 3-0 away victory for the team.
Right after the match, Aldrich received unexpected news.
Arsenal had lost.
And who did they lose to?
The White Rose of Yorkshire: Leeds United!
Even with the Premier League finale approaching, Leeds United, comfortably sitting in fifth place with no real chance of moving up or down, became the talk of England.
O'Leary suddenly found himself in the spotlight, and his young Leeds United side became the focus of attention.
First, they drew with Millwall, then with Manchester United, and now, in a crucial moment, they toppled the league leaders, Arsenal.
People called Chelsea the giant-killers, but Leeds United knocked three different league leaders off the top in just a month.
With the rise of Manchester United's Class of '92, Millwall's Class of '95, and Wenger's Arsenal turning to younger players, Fleet Street began debating whether building around youth and a talented coach was the quickest path to success.
The 37th round of the Premier League was over.
Millwall fans were in high spirits.
The Lions sat alone at the top of the table.
Manchester United fans' hopes were reignited.
Before Round 37, Manchester United was in third place. Now, they've moved up to second, trailing Millwall by two points and leading Arsenal by one. As long as Arsenal can hold Millwall to a draw at the Den, and Manchester United win at Old Trafford, the Premier League title could still end up at Old Trafford.
Chelsea fans were devastated.
They had already given up hope of making the Champions League next season. But Arsenal's defeat gave them a glimmer of hope, only for Chelsea to let them down by drawing 2-2 against Spurs in the London Derby at White Hart Lane. The four-point gap to Arsenal effectively ended their league season. Next season, it would be the Europa League for them. If only they'd beaten Spurs, they'd be just two points behind Arsenal…
As the Premier League finale loomed, the title race became clear.
Millwall led United by two points and Arsenal by three.
Millwall and United had the same goal difference, with Arsenal one goal ahead of United.
Fleet Street was buzzing with excitement. The final round still held all the suspense.
If Millwall won, they'd take the title.
If Millwall didn't win and United did, United would be crowned champions.
If Millwall drew and United didn't win, Millwall would be champions.
If Millwall lost and United didn't win, Arsenal could steal the title!
Millwall held the fate of all three teams in their hands.
Arsenal's chances were slim, but Manchester United would be hoping Arsenal could at least hold Millwall to a draw or even beat them.
On May 15th, the Premier League finale kicked off.
The relegation spots had already been decided, and no one paid them any attention.
Even the story of Blackburn Rovers, Premier League champions just four years ago, now relegated to the First Division, had already faded.
Nottingham Forest and Charlton hadn't managed to survive another season in the top flight.
As for the match everyone was focused on, it was a London Derby!
Millwall hosted defending champions Arsenal at the Den.
Who would prevail? The answer would come in 90 minutes.
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