章節 22: Breaking Hull City's Defense
From the start of the second half, the City players on the bench began warming up. Clearly, Pellegrini was preparing for substitutions if the situation did not change.
The score remained the same. Aguero had a golden opportunity early in the second half, but his shot was caught by Allan McGregor. In the 48th minute, the Etihad Stadium held its collective breath as Samir Nasri latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from David Silva.
The Frenchman had timed his run impeccably, ghosting past Hull's defenders. With only the keeper to beat, Nasri wound up for the shot. But just as his foot connected with the ball, Alex Bruce lunged in with a last-ditch tackle, sending both the ball and danger spiraling away. Nasri slapped the ground in frustration as Bruce's teammates rushed to commend him, their roars of determination echoing through the damp Manchester air.
In the 53rd minute, City's relentless attack continued. This time, it was Edin Dzeko who soared above the defenders, meeting a precise cross with a powerful header. The ball seemed destined for the top corner, but Allan McGregor stretched to his limit, plucking the ball out of the air and denying City once more.
Two minutes later, David Silva found himself in space just outside the box. His curling effort beat the keeper but not the woodwork, as the ball ricocheted off the post with a loud clang, leaving the home crowd groaning in disbelief.
Hull's defenders were resolute, throwing themselves in front of every attempt, their gritty determination pushing City to the brink of frustration.
Then came the 60th minute, and with it, a glimmer of hope. Manuel Pellegrini signaled for a change, summoning Kenneth Lee to replace Fernando. The young midfielder jogged onto the pitch to a warm reception from the City faithful, who recognized his potential. Kenneth took his position, his eyes scanning the field, absorbing the atmosphere as if feeding off the energy of the crowd.
Moments later, City earned a corner kick. Kenneth, keen to make an impact, positioned himself just outside the penalty area, knowing that aerial duels weren't his strength. As the referee's whistle pierced the air, Kenneth darted forward, calling out confidently.
"Silva! Over here!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
David Silva looked up, assessing his options, and then slid the ball toward Kenneth. Receiving it cleanly, Kenneth turned sharply, his movement smooth and deliberate. The defenders hesitated for a split second—just enough time for Kenneth to surge into the box.
The crowd rose in anticipation as Kenneth raised his leg for the shot. Hull's defenders, committed and fearless, threw themselves into the path of the ball. But instead of firing directly, Kenneth cleverly played it forward—a soft pass that trickled through the crowded box to Fernandinho, who was unmarked near the edge.
"Hit it!" Kenneth yelled, his voice raw with urgency.
And Fernandinho didn't need a second invitation. With a powerful strike from his dominant foot, the ball blasted through the air like a missile, thundering into the back of the net. The net rippled violently as the City fans erupted in unison, their cheers a deafening crescendo of relief and joy.
Fernandinho sprinted toward the sidelines, arms outstretched, his face alight with elation. Kenneth raced after him, throwing his arms around his teammate in celebration. The rest of the team quickly joined, forming a jubilant huddle, their smiles reflecting the unity and determination that defined their game.
"Brilliant pass, Kenneth!" Fernandinho praised, clapping the young midfielder on the back.
Kenneth grinned, his chest swelling with pride. "All yours, mate. I just set the table."
The crowd chanted their names as the players returned to their positions. The scoreboard now read 1-1, and the momentum was firmly with Manchester City. Hull's players exchanged wary glances, realizing they were in for a fight against a team now playing with fire in their hearts.
Manchester City had equalized to 1-1.
The match resumed with Manchester City playing like a team reborn, their intensity visibly rattling Hull City's defense. Within moments, Paul McShane found himself under pressure, hurriedly clearing the ball toward the flank. But Kenneth, reading the game like a seasoned veteran, had already anticipated the play. He moved swiftly to close the gap alongside Robert Brady. As Brady passed to David Meyler, Demichelis surged forward with perfect timing, cutting off the pass and regaining possession for City.
Without hesitation, Demichelis looked up and found Kenneth nearby. The young midfielder called for the ball with confidence, and Demichelis obliged, delivering a crisp pass. Kenneth controlled it smoothly, scanning the field before switching play to the opposite flank with an accurate, lofted ball.
The pass found Zabaleta, who expertly cushioned it with his chest. Barely pausing, the right-back threaded a precise through ball into the path of Aguero. The Argentine striker sprang to life, his blistering pace leaving Dawson struggling in his wake. As Dawson lunged to block him, Aguero deftly chipped the ball over the defender, leaving him flat-footed.
Now free, Aguero bore down on goal and unleashed a low shot toward the far post. Allan McGregor reacted instantly, diving to his left and getting just enough of a hand on the ball to deflect it away. The loose ball rolled dangerously in the six-yard box before Alex Bruce charged in, clearing it decisively out of play.
Aguero, hands on his knees, let out a frustrated sigh. He pulled his jersey up to cover his face briefly before lowering it, his expression one of apology. Lifting his hands, he gestured toward his teammates with a rueful smile, silently acknowledging their support and vowing to make amends.
Though disappointed, City's players quickly regrouped. There was no time for frustration—not with the momentum still in their favor.
In the 66th minute, Pellegrini made another tactical adjustment, sending James Milner onto the field to replace Edin Dzeko. Simultaneously, Hull's manager, Steve Bruce, brought on Andrew Robertson in place of Sone Aluko. The substitution signaled a clear shift in Hull's strategy as they switched to a compact 5-4-1 formation, emphasizing defense over attack.
Hull City, still reluctant to commit players forward, fortified their low block, making it increasingly difficult for City to penetrate. The visiting team's disciplined structure forced City to rely on quick passes and individual brilliance, but even that seemed insufficient against the crowded defense.
Despite the odds, Kenneth made several valiant attempts to spark some creativity. On multiple occasions, he used his agility and close control to dribble past one or two Hull players, drawing cheers from the crowd. However, without adequate support from his teammates in the final third, Kenneth often found himself outnumbered, ultimately losing possession as Hull's defenders swarmed him.
As the clock ticked into the 76th minute, both managers opted for fresh legs to inject energy into the game. Hull introduced Dame N'Doye to replace Gaston Ramirez, while City brought on Stevan Jovetic for David Silva. The substitutions immediately brought a renewed sense of urgency to both teams.
Jovetic wasted no time making his presence felt. Just moments after stepping onto the pitch, he found himself in a promising position. Kenneth, once again showing his determination, danced through Hull's defensive line and cut into the penalty area. Spotting Jovetic unmarked, Kenneth delivered a sharp cutback. Jovetic struck the ball cleanly, but Dawson, demonstrating immense composure, positioned himself perfectly to block the shot and deny City the lead.
In the 85th minute, as tension gripped the Etihad, City's fans watched in suspense.
Pellegrini stood, hands clenched, while Hull's Steve Bruce barked instructions, urging his players to hold their ground.
Then, something happened. Dawson intercepted the ball from Jovetic and quickly released it to Robertson, who surged forward with startling pace.
City's defenders, exhausted, struggled to keep up. With swift footwork, Robertson executed a one-two with El Mohamady, bypassing Zabaleta, and stormed down the left flank.
The crowd sensed danger as Robertson approached City's penalty area, delivering a low, driven cross aimed directly at N'Doye.
The forward readied to strike, but in a stunning display of defensive awareness, Kenneth Lee slid in, blocking the pass with precision. Rising swiftly, Kenneth initiated a counterattack, sending the ball to Fernandinho, who looked up to see Nasri positioned downfield.
Kenneth continued his run. He could feel that the winning goal was coming. For moments like this, Kenneth had no hesitation in expending his stamina to aid Manchester City's attack.
Robertson, who moments earlier had sprinted half the field, was somehow charging back to defend. Fans marveled at the sheer energy and determination pouring from both sides.
Fernandinho's pass found Nasri, who, too tired to sprint, threaded a clever through ball to Milner. Battling against Alex Bruce, Milner managed to hold his ground, nudging the ball to Aguero in the box.
The Argentine forward, known for his lethal finishing, did the unexpected—he turned his back to goal, feinting to mislead McGregor, whose premature dive left the net vulnerable.
Just as the ball left Aguero's foot, Robertson appeared like a man possessed, sliding in to clear it off the line in a moment of sheer bravery.
The ball soared out toward the edge of the box, landing at Kenneth's feet. Seizing the opportunity, Kenneth took a powerful volley, sending the ball rocketing toward the goal.
It struck the post with a fierce clang, bouncing into the net. The stadium exploded with jubilation as Kenneth sprinted toward the fans, arms spread wide, a warrior's fire in his eyes.
City fans roared, their applause thunderous, as Pellegrini, overwhelmed with pride, pumped his fist in triumph. Hull's fans fell silent, admiration mingling with despair.
Commentators, barely containing their excitement, proclaimed, "I can't believe it! It's Manchester City's wonderkid—Kenneth Lee, who scored the winning goal. What a youngster, and what a goal."
As City players swarmed him in celebration, Kenneth stood firm, basking in the moment of glory.
As the game resumed, Hull City tried to attack. However, Joe Hart managed to catch any threatening balls aimed at his goal.
In the 90+3rd minute, Milner scored a free kick, extinguishing Hull City's hopes.
Manchester City won 3-1. Anyone merely looking at the score would think it was an easy game. City had dominated and won again. Only those who watched the match would know how intense the game truly was.
In this match, Kenneth earned the Man of the Match award. He also gained three attribute points, which he used to improve his pace, agility, and balance.
City's victory kept them close behind Chelsea, ensuring the title race remained thrilling.
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