Chapter 113: The Final Blow! Ferguson: No, My Blood Pressure's Up Again!
Di María's assist for Džeko's goal was like a lit fuse.
After conceding, Manchester United threw caution to the wind.
The Red Devils came at Bayswater China with a furious onslaught.
Ferguson, after all, was a manager known for his attacking football.
Any fan who watches the game regularly knows—once the deadlock is broken, the match opens up.
Soon after, United struck back. Ronaldo dribbled down the right, danced past Danny Collins with a series of feints, and cut the ball back to the middle.
A red-hot Solskjær beat José Fonte to it and headed the ball into the net.
1–1!
Fonte, Koscielny, and Pepe all raised their hands immediately, signaling that Solskjær had been offside.
But the assistant referee kept his flag down, and the referee signaled that the goal stood.
The replay confirmed—Solskjær was offside.
But it was close. And in the days before VAR, whether the ref caught it or not was often a matter of luck.
United, having equalized, ramped up the pressure.
Just three minutes later, Ronaldo fired a powerful long-range shot from outside the box.
Neuer dealt with it calmly and saved it.
United kept attacking, hoping to take the lead before halftime.
But in the 39th minute, Bayswater China intercepted a ball in their own half and quickly launched a counterattack.
Džeko fought for the first ball, controlled it with his chest, and laid it off for Modrić.
Facing forward, the Croatian wasted no time—he lofted a diagonal ball over the top, launching it deep into United territory.
Di María came flying in from deep, sprinting full tilt to catch it.
Just as he was about to reach the ball, Ferdinand came sliding in from the side and put it out for a throw-in.
United's defense rushed back to regroup.
Bayswater China took the throw quickly. Danny Collins tossed it to Modrić.
The Croatian sent a quick pass to Di María's feet.
At 1.83 meters tall, Di María had grown into his frame, but he still looked skinny.
That's why in Argentina, they called him "El Fideo"—the Noodle.
That nickname said everything about his physique.
But growing up playing against opponents who were bigger and stronger, Di María had learned how to handle those duels.
When he received Modrić's pass, he had his back to the sideline, turned slightly sideways to face Wes Brown.
He showed no fear.
First came a feint inside. Then suddenly, he cut sharply down the line.
Wes Brown didn't fall for the first move and tracked Di María to the byline.
But the Argentine abruptly stopped.
And Brown had to stop, too.
Di María, light on his feet and deceptively agile, was ready to burst again the moment he paused.
It was a trick he'd used countless times back home in Argentina to shake off defenders.
Brown, heavier and less nimble, couldn't react in time—he was beaten.
Just as Di María surged forward past him, the veteran defender grabbed his shirt and yanked him down near the left side of the penalty area.
The whole stadium gasped.
If Di María had gotten by him again, United would've been in serious trouble.
Referee Mike Dean rushed over, showed Brown a yellow card, and awarded Bayswater China a free kick just outside the area.
"Manchester United needs to be careful now!"
"Here comes Gianni Vio again!"
"For Bayswater China, a set piece in the final third is one of their most dangerous weapons."
"Let's see how they handle this one…"
"Wait—it's not Modrić taking it. It's Di María."
"The young Argentine will take this free kick."
"Ángel Di María, nicknamed El Fideo, or 'The Noodle.' Some call him The Angel."
"Born on February 14, 1988—he's not even 19 yet."
"But since coming on, he's made a lasting impression with every touch."
"Let's see how he handles this one."
"A left-footed player taking from the left—this probably means a cross is coming."
...
On the sideline, Yang Cheng stood watching Gianni Vio's hand signals, while also noting the team's unusual setup for this free kick.
Normally, full-backs stay back during attacking set pieces.
That wasn't a rule, just the common approach.
But if anyone was paying attention, they'd notice something different: both Maicon and Danny Collins were near the box.
It was Matuidi and Lass Diarra who stayed back.
Ronaldo and Rooney were right beside the wall.
Clearly, once the ball was cleared, those two would lead United's counter.
The whistle blew. Di María took a deep breath and ran up—his left foot whipped a curling ball into the box.
Chaos erupted instantly.
It was a battlefield in there—giants colliding, shirts pulled, bodies crashing.
But the key moment comes in a flash.
Pepe darted toward the near post, drawing defenders.
Then suddenly, Koscielny broke away from the crowd and leapt high, flicking the ball with his head.
The ball curved away from its original trajectory, angling toward the far side of the six-yard box.
Silvestre and Hargreaves reacted immediately, closing in.
But a flash of white came flying through—Danny Collins, sprinting into the area, met the ball with a thunderous header and smashed it into the bottom-right corner of United's goal.
Wes Brown, standing on the goal line, didn't even have time to react.
The net bulged.
2–1!
"Danny Collins!!!!!!"
"What a surprise!"
"Oh my goodness!"
"Bayswater China's set-piece routines never fail to shock us!"
"An absolute bullet header from Danny Collins!"
"Many people might've forgotten—Collins can play both center-back and left-back. He's an important rotational piece on the left side of the defense."
"He hasn't played much this season, but his defending has always been solid."
"And now, with this goal, we see his quality!"
...
Back in front again, United responded with another furious wave of attacks.
But before the first half ended, they still couldn't break through Bayswater China's defense.
At the start of the second half, both teams made changes.
They'd just played on the 30th, had one day to rest, and would play again on January 1st.
With such a tight schedule, it was impossible not to rotate key players.
But United were behind, so Ferguson brought on Giggs for the underwhelming Park Ji-sung.
The Korean had had a very average performance.
Yang Cheng swapped Arshavin in for Modrić.
Each side's star player would play one half—just as Yang Cheng had planned before the match.
Giggs immediately revitalized United's attack.
As Yang Cheng had feared, United's midfield lacked the creativity to break down compact defenses—especially with their passing.
But Giggs was different. His passing was sharp, and while his dribbling wasn't fast, his sense of rhythm was superb.
That made him a nightmare to defend.
United still feared Bayswater China's counterattacks, so even as they pressed forward, they remained wary.
Still, they came hard—determined to turn the match around.
Ferguson's strategy was simple: as long as I attack, you'll be stuck defending.
What followed was a sustained wave of Manchester United pressure.
First, Carrick played a pass forward, and Rooney fired high over the bar.
Then came Ronaldo again, leading a rapid counterattack and sliding a ball through to Rooney, but it still didn't trouble the goal.
But in the 56th minute, Giggs sent in a diagonal pass from the left. Ronaldo sprinted diagonally into the right side of the penalty area, outmuscled José Fonte, and unleashed a powerful header that Neuer managed to tip over the crossbar.
That attack was incredibly threatening!
The Portuguese star's acceleration into the box was lightning-fast, and his vertical leap was just as astonishing.
While Bayswater China was still shaken, United took the corner—and once again, it was Ronaldo rising above everyone and heading the ball into the net, beating Neuer cleanly.
2–2!
Another equalizer.
...
"Sub!"
Yang Cheng turned around and shouted toward Brian Kidd.
The assistant coach immediately went to the bench.
Soon after, Walcott got up to start warming up.
Naturally, both Ferguson and the TV cameras picked up on this.
Walcott had been brilliant coming off the bench several times this season.
"Looks like Yang Cheng is bringing him on to boost the attack."
In the 60th minute, after giving him some urgent sideline instructions, Yang Cheng sent Walcott into the match to replace Pepe, who had already played back-to-back matches.
In this game, Pepe was playing as a makeshift defensive midfielder—and had done fairly well.
Whether in direct duels or when dropping back into the defensive line, he'd performed solidly.
That's the benefit of his versatility.
Yang Cheng had only one purpose in bringing Walcott on: attack Sylvain Silvestre.
This was actually a plan he had locked in before the match even started.
Yet until now, he had deliberately held off with Modrić and Arshavin.
Silvestre had originally joined United as Jaap Stam's partner, later pairing with Ferdinand.
When Ferdinand was suspended over a doping test scandal, Silvestre had even partnered with Wes Brown.
The French defender could play both left-back and center-back, which made him one of Ferguson's favored options for years.
But fans had scapegoated him mercilessly.
Too many mistakes.
Lacking in ability, constantly losing concentration—and during those years when United's backline was still in flux, Silvestre frequently became the one who messed things up.
Nearly all of his better moments came when he was partnered with a top-tier defender.
Like Stam. Or Ferdinand.
As Evra, Heinze, Vidic, and other defenders joined, and players like O'Shea developed, Silvestre's playing time had steadily declined.
So far this season, in 26 Premier League and Champions League matches combined, Silvestre had only played 6 times, and only when teammates were injured.
Even then, his minutes were scattered.
How could a player like that maintain match sharpness?
So Yang Cheng's instruction to Walcott was simple: get out there and attack Silvestre's side—hard.
...
Another round of league matches was coming up in just two days.
Both Ferguson and Yang Cheng wanted to finish this match early and give their players as much rest as possible.
But if the first half was all United pressing and Bayswater China defending, then the second half turned into something else entirely.
Especially after the substitutions.
Bayswater China began throwing more bodies forward.
Whether it was Di María on the left or Walcott on the right, both were targeting United's full-backs.
Gradually, United began to lose control of the match and were forced into playing on the counter.
Then, in the 67th minute, United intercepted the ball in defense. Giggs picked it up just left of center, shook off Lass Diarra, and played a perfect ball into space behind the defense.
Ronaldo timed his run to perfection, splitting Danny Collins and José Fonte with blistering pace.
He reached the pass, calmly slotted it past Neuer.
3–2!
Ferguson was so happy he was nearly jumping up and down.
All 76,000 fans at Old Trafford were roaring Cristiano Ronaldo's name.
Last summer, this same Portuguese star had been relentlessly criticized by the same crowd.
Now, he was their beloved hero—performing even better than Rooney.
With United now in the lead for the first time, they immediately shifted their focus to defense.
In the 72nd minute, Ferguson made a substitution.
Fletcher came on for Ronaldo—to reinforce the midfield.
Clearly, he was saving legs for their next game, two days later, against Newcastle.
Another vital match.
The entire crowd rose to applaud Ronaldo as he left the pitch.
Then, just three minutes later, Ferguson made his final change.
Left midfielder Richardson came on for Rooney.
Giggs moved centrally, slotting in behind Solskjær.
United had switched to a 4-4-1-1.
Ferguson's intent couldn't be clearer now.
He wanted to hold on to that 3–2 lead.
If United could secure these 3 points, and then beat Newcastle two days later, they'd finish the Christmas period with three straight wins—a perfect holiday campaign.
And Bayswater China? They'd fall behind in the title race.
In fact, if this match hadn't been so tense and tight, Ferguson's original plan was to take both Ronaldo and Rooney off before the 60th minute—or even at halftime.
Playing three straight matches was just too much.
But after seeing United make two substitutions, Yang Cheng decisively gave the signal: all-out attack.
He pushed the backline to the highest position possible and had his team press forward, pinning United in their own half.
Ferguson had anticipated this—United dropped into a full defensive shell.
By the 80th minute, Yang Cheng made his final substitution.
Lambert came on for Lass Diarra.
The French midfielder had fought hard in two straight matches and was clearly running out of steam.
Bringing Lambert on was meant to boost attacking firepower.
Now, with two center-forwards, two wingers, and Arshavin free-roaming behind them, Bayswater China had five attackers pressing United's goal.
The fans in the stands at Old Trafford were visibly uncomfortable—and deeply anxious.
...
Time ticked on.
In the stands, United supporters kept chanting, urging their team to hold on.
They could feel the weight of this moment.
This was a match that would decide who topped the Premier League.
Some even said it could be the match that decided the championship itself.
Bayswater China's relentless counterassault put United's backline under incredible pressure.
Every time Wes Brown or Silvestre got the ball, Di María or Walcott would be on them in an instant, pressing like mad.
And not just them—the two Bayswater China strikers were constantly prowling around the penalty area.
Looking at Ferguson's substitutions, it was clear: his plan was to defend the lead until the final whistle.
But Bayswater China had no intention of walking away with a loss.
Fans in the stands kept glancing at the scoreboard.
Time seemed to crawl.
Each minute, each second, passed like a sluggish, heavy snail.
United's defense, with help from the midfield, kept managing to repel Bayswater China's attacks.
Hargreaves and Carrick worked together to shut down passing lanes.
Arshavin, meanwhile, couldn't replicate the magic he showed against Chelsea.
The Russian was tired—he was human, too.
87… 88… 89…
The fourth official raised the board.
Mike Dean had signaled 2 minutes of added time.
"What the hell? Only two minutes of stoppage time?"
Yang Cheng deliberately shouted toward Mike Dean the moment the referee glanced his way.
But Mike Dean just smiled and shook his head.
…90 minutes!
United fans erupted in anticipation.
Only two minutes left!
Many players were already on their last legs.
Bayswater China looked more anxious now.
Time was slipping away.
Yang Cheng shouted again from the sidelines, signaling them to stay calm.
Arshavin, on one possession, managed to shake off Carrick and carried the ball forward, but was quickly pressured by Richardson coming in from the side.
The Russian played a pass with his left foot—it looked like a through ball aimed between Vidic and Silvestre, behind the back line.
But it was slightly off, too close to Silvestre.
Credit to Richardson for the pressure.
United fans were already starting to clap, ready to celebrate another successful defensive stand.
But then—Silvestre didn't clear the ball.
The French defender chose to trap it.
Yes. He tried to trap the ball.
Maybe he wanted to settle it before clearing, or maybe he didn't feel confident booting it first time…
Either way, he decided to bring it down.
And that's when it got away from him—just slightly.
To be fair, Silvestre had decent technique. His passing wasn't bad either. He had once notched two assists against Chelsea in a single game.
But Arshavin's pass had been driven hard, intended to go in behind.
Silvestre didn't expect that kind of pace, and his touch was too heavy.
By the time he realized it, he tried to recover—but then a blur flashed past him.
He and that figure both lunged at the ball, colliding feet.
Neither connected cleanly. Both staggered. But the ball spun away behind Silvestre.
The Frenchman froze—like ice water down his back—as he spun around to recover.
But the white-shirted figure was already off—Walcott.
His burst was explosive.
In one step, he left Silvestre behind.
In the next, he outpaced Vidic.
No one could believe what they were seeing.
Even Ferguson rushed to the edge of the pitch, his face frozen in disbelief.
Walcott poked the ball ahead into the box and chased it down himself.
Van der Sar reacted instantly—charging off his line to close the angle.
But Walcott got there first.
Facing the rushing keeper, he extended his right foot first, forcing Van der Sar to commit…
Then, calmly, he flicked the ball with the outside of his left foot to his left.
Speed breaks all defenses.
Even the simplest of moves—if done fast enough—can be lethal.
Just like that, Van der Sar dove the wrong way.
Walcott took one more step left and, just before Ferdinand could close in, smashed a left-footed shot!
In that moment, the young English winger silently thanked Yang Cheng.
Thanked the entire Bayswater China coaching staff.
Because they had spent weeks—months—forcing him to train his weaker left foot.
That's why it was so smooth. So clean. So natural.
The second he struck the shot, Walcott knew it was in.
The English youngster sprinted to the sideline, overcome with emotion.
His parents and family were in the stands.
He wanted them to see him.
To remember this moment.
Behind him, Mike Dean blew the whistle: goal confirmed.
Di María was the first to rush over and join him, the two of them sprinting to the touchline to celebrate.
One by one, Bayswater China players followed, surrounding the two young heroes.
Meanwhile, in the stands, United fans were still frozen in shock.
They couldn't believe it.
The final score would be 3–3?!
Only 1 minute and 23 seconds left to play!
How could they not hold on for just 83 more seconds?
On the pitch, Bayswater China players celebrated wildly.
You would've thought they had already clinched the league title.
But on the sidelines, in front of the home dugout, Ferguson was furious.
Such a stupid, avoidable, low-level mistake at the very end!
What were they thinking?!
Yang Cheng, on the other hand, was grinning ear to ear.
He exhaled deeply.
A draw in this match? He'd take it.
Gladly.
It wasn't a lack of ambition—it was the brutal schedule.
If he had gone all-in to beat United tonight, there was no guarantee of victory.
And he knew it.
But in two days, they had to face West Ham at home—a must-win match for different reasons.
Adam Crozier had been right all along.
What Bayswater China needed most right now wasn't trophies.
It was home support.
They needed to keep the 60,000 to 70,000 fans who had been drawn in over Christmas and New Year's.
The title? If they didn't win it tonight, there would still be other chances. The season was long.
But a chance like this to win hearts at home? That didn't come every week.
A 3–3 draw at Old Trafford—on paper, that was a result both sides could live with.
...
When the final whistle blew, Yang Cheng laughed heartily as Ferguson approached.
The two shook hands.
Yang Cheng could feel the bitterness and frustration in Ferguson's eyes.
Of course, not all of it was aimed at him.
But once he returned to the locker room, United's players were probably going to get another taste of the "hairdryer treatment."
"By the way, Sir Alex, didn't you say you had a crate of good whisky? When and where?"
Yang Cheng was in a great mood after getting the result he wanted.
Ferguson, though, was a different story.
Three points in hand—suddenly reduced to one.
He'd had the chance to create real separation at the top—only to be dragged back into a dogfight.
And it happened at Old Trafford, no less.
Which, in Ferguson's eyes, was as good as a loss.
More importantly, he could hear the smugness in Yang Cheng's voice.
"You want a drink?" Ferguson growled.
"Mm-hmm," Yang Cheng nodded with a grin.
"I'll send you a crate. Take it home. Drink it alone!" Ferguson snapped through clenched teeth.
Damn it.
If Yang Cheng had lost, maybe he could've had a drink or two in good spirits.
But now—after stealing two points from him—this guy still had the nerve to ask for a drink?
He could go drink piss!
Yang Cheng was holding back laughter.
He could see just how much Ferguson was suppressing his rage.
But credit where credit's due—the old man still had class.
Even this angry, he was still offering a crate of whisky.
A gentleman.
A true gentleman.
That's what Yang Cheng thought.
But when he turned to greet his players walking off the field, he opened his arms wide like a general welcoming victorious warriors.
"My heroes! You were brilliant out there—I'm proud of you!"
"Oh my God, Theo, that goal was incredible! You're going to be on the front page tomorrow, no doubt!"
"Ángel, you were outstanding today!"
"And Andrey… was that pass at the end on purpose?"
A few steps away, Ferguson—just back in front of the home dugout—heard that last line and stumbled slightly.
Damn it!
Not even letting us have one mistake?!
That was clearly not on purpose!
Bloody hell…
At that moment, Ferguson genuinely had the urge to walk over and punch Yang Cheng right in the face.
But considering his age and physical decline, Ferguson figured he probably wouldn't win the fight—so he held back.
No, this can't be—his blood pressure was spiking again!
…
After last season's growing pains, the British media had started to figure out some of Yang Cheng's patterns.
For example, whenever he got the result he wanted in a big match, he'd show up to the post-match press conference absolutely glowing.
On the flip side, if he didn't show up—either the match wasn't important, or the result didn't go well.
That was just how it was. Even a "King Without a Crown" had to be accommodated.
After all, he wasn't officially the head coach.
And after the war at Old Trafford, Yang Cheng appeared at the post-match presser with a humble smile.
Before anyone even asked a question, he opened with a line of his own:
"Thanks to Sir Alex for the wine!"
The way he said it… it was a shame he wasn't streaming on TikTok.
"I heard from the staff at Old Trafford that this particular case of red wine came directly from the personal cellar of the good old Sir himself. It made me feel deeply—cared for, as a junior being looked after by a respected elder."
"I believe Sir Alex will continue to take good care of us in the rest of the season too."
"Much appreciated!"
The entire press room was momentarily stunned.
Ferguson gave him wine?
But the more they thought about it, the more they realized—this wasn't really about wine, was it?
Summing up the match, Yang Cheng said, "Maybe we didn't perform quite as well as we or the outside world expected, but I'm happy we got the result we wanted."
In other words: drawing away to Manchester United—we're very satisfied.
Regarding the match itself, Yang Cheng thought both sides were fairly balanced overall.
"United had the upper hand at times, and so did we. All things considered, a draw is a fair result."
As for the atmosphere at Old Trafford that night, Yang Cheng didn't hold back his praise.
"It was a fantastic atmosphere!"
"One of the best away experiences we've had all season—definitely top three."
"And the top two?"
"Stamford Bridge… and the Bernabéu."
The room full of reporters burst into laughter.
So that's how you rank stadiums.
A draw kept the title race neck and neck.
On their chances in the league moving forward, Yang Cheng remained confident.
How so?
"I think the most important thing is to focus on solving the issues we've exposed ourselves."
"For example, this match presented us with plenty of difficulties—and also revealed several weaknesses."
"Solving these problems will only make us stronger."
"What I'm most proud of is the fighting spirit I saw in my players—they battled until the very last second. Their resilience was inspiring. I'm proud of every one of them."
"Regrets?"
"Yes. We missed a few chances. Honestly, we could've won this game."
"And Solskjær's goal? That was clearly offside. No doubt about it."
When asked which United player impressed him the most, Yang Cheng pointed to Ronaldo.
"In my view, he's a phenomenal player. But I disagree with those saying he's only broken through this season."
"He was already exceptional last season. The problem is, United haven't yet built a tactical system that truly unleashes his full potential."
"Even now, I think he's still massively underrated."
As for his own young star, Walcott?
"If I had to evaluate him, I'd say I hope he learns from Cristiano Ronaldo—or even Thierry Henry."
"Right now, Theo is still a very young player. He needs time to grow and develop."
"With players like him, we're always cautious."
"Speedsters often struggle with injuries, and a big reason is they play too many games too young—before they've undergone proper muscle-building programs."
Ronaldo. Robben. Owen…
Almost every pace-based forward has struggled with the same issue.
Why?
Because they weren't properly protected early in their careers.
They performed well, so the clubs ran them into the ground.
The team doctor, David Fevre, once told Yang Cheng: many muscle pulls, hamstring strains, and knee injuries stem from overuse and fatigue at a young age.
It doesn't seem like much at the time, and they bounce back quickly. But that wear and tear adds up.
No one knows when that damage will show up.
Worst-case scenario? It turns into a chronic issue that haunts the player for their entire career—or even life.
Yaya Touré actually could have been rushed back to play at Old Trafford.
But Yang Cheng chose to hold him out.
As he told Yaya directly:
"At Bayswater China, you're not just a player or an asset. You're a person."
"You chose us—so we have a responsibility to take care of you."
…
Just as Yang Cheng predicted.
The day after the 3–3 draw at Old Trafford, Bayswater China became the talk of Britain—and even Europe.
Major headlines across the UK's media had them front and center.
Yang Cheng's tactical setup and duel with Ferguson showcased his coaching ability.
And Bayswater China showed they were every bit Manchester United's equal.
Ronaldo was rightly named Man of the Match.
But Bayswater China's two young players were showered in praise.
Di María's footwork and pace on the counterattack left a strong impression.
His uniquely South American traits—the low center of gravity, nimble cuts, quick bursts—made him stand out in the Premier League.
After all, very few South American wingers had ever truly succeeded in England.
But the media's biggest focus?
Theo Walcott.
That last-gasp equalizer made him the post-match darling.
It wasn't the first time he'd wowed the world.
But this time, he scored against Manchester United.
And that made it different.
English media instantly began comparing him to Owen—both young prodigies known for their speed.
But based on this performance, it was clear Walcott had developed more polished footwork and close control than Owen—certainly more than the Owen from Yang Cheng's previous life.
And so, the expectations for Walcott grew even higher.
Many believed he was destined to become the next great English football star.
…
While Bayswater China were drawing 3–3 at Old Trafford, Chelsea were hosting Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Two straight home games, both against West London rivals—the Blues were under the spotlight.
But maybe the 0–5 from last round still haunted them…
Because Chelsea conceded first again.
Although Chelsea fought back with two goals, they conceded late again to Fulham and had to settle for a 2–2 draw.
Two winless matches in a row—this one at home, against a mid-to-lower table side like Fulham. Clearly not good enough.
What was even more surprising was that Shevchenko started this round on the bench.
Meanwhile, Drogba, Carvalho, Ferreira, Essien, and Makelele all played the full 90 minutes.
Naturally, this raised concerns.
How would they cope two days later when they go away to face Aston Villa?
Another underperformer: Arsenal.
The Gunners had narrowly beaten Watford 2–1 away in the previous round.
But this time, again on the road, they lost 0–1 to relegation-fighting Sheffield United.
Liverpool managed a narrow 1–0 win away to Tottenham.
And so, after 21 rounds of the Premier League:
Manchester United sit top with 17 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, totaling 53 points.
Bayswater China are right behind with 16 wins, 4 draws, and just 1 loss—52 points.
The title race was tighter than ever.
Not even at Old Trafford could United bring down this hard-as-nails Bayswater China squad—earning them serious respect from fans and pundits alike.
The title was still very much up for grabs.
Chelsea, on the other hand, after being crushed 0–5 by Bayswater China and now dropping points again, had only managed 44 points. They were now 9 and 8 points behind the top two teams.
Most media outlets agreed: the Blues were out of the title race.
Which only reinforced what many had said all along:
The Christmas period decides the title.
In fourth, shockingly, was Bolton, with 39 points.
A surprise package, to say the least.
Liverpool sit fifth with 35 points, Arsenal sixth with 33, and Portsmouth seventh with 32.
Both Liverpool and Arsenal have disappointed this season—and have begun to lose touch with the title contenders.
Bolton may be flying high now, but the real test is whether they can stay there.
Which is why rumors were swirling: Liverpool and Arsenal were expected to spend big once the winter window opened.
Because of the specific challenges of January transfers, Premier League clubs were primarily targeting domestic players.
Names like Joey Barton (Everton), Reo-Coker and Mascherano (West Ham), and Micah Richards (Manchester City) were all on many clubs' radars.
Chelsea, for example, were eyeing Micah Richards.
But City reportedly slapped a £20 million price tag on him—absurdly high.
Mourinho publicly commented that if prices were going to be that ridiculous, he might just stick with the squad he had and ride out the season.
Still, there were whispers that he was considering using Shaun Wright-Phillips as part of a swap deal for Richards.
Nothing concrete yet.
There were also a lot of rumors about Bayswater China.
Wenger, for instance, was said to be highly interested in Di María and Gareth Bale.
The Arsenal manager felt the two wingers were overlapping in Yang Cheng's system—and hoped to snag one.
Benítez was focused on defense.
He was reportedly eyeing Skrtel, Bayswater China's tough defender.
But Liverpool's first inquiry was actually for Pepe—which Adam Crozier didn't even bother responding to.
Another name that began surfacing was Gökhan Inler, who had started to make a name for himself.
The Swiss midfielder, with his solid all-around skill set—excellent passing and a powerful long-range shot—was drawing interest from several clubs.
It was inevitable. As Bayswater China kept shining, more and more of their players were being targeted.
Top-tier stars like Arshavin weren't going anywhere—the bigger clubs wouldn't even dare try. But many teams were eyeing key backups and squad players.
Yang Cheng had already given clear instructions to Adam Crozier: reject all offers.
The club had no intention of buying or selling in the winter window.
Yang Cheng's stance was obvious: their top priority was the title race with Manchester United.
Selling now would only weaken the squad.
He had spoken to the players about this before Christmas.
Adam Crozier had also contacted the agents and agreed to revisit talks after the season.
As a result, the atmosphere in the squad remained excellent.
No distractions.
Everyone was focused on one thing: winning the Premier League.
This wouldn't just be a title for Bayswater China.
It would be a title for every player who believed in the dream.
...
While fans and media obsessed over the winter window—especially who might pull Beckham away from Real Madrid—Yang Cheng focused entirely on the next match.
Of course, he wasn't about to spoil the surprise: Beckham had likely already arranged to join LA Galaxy in MLS.
Who would believe that?
A world-class superstar, still in top form, choosing to "retire" to Major League Soccer?
But Beckham's later loan spells in Europe made it clear—he had second thoughts about that move.
From a career standpoint, maybe it wasn't ideal.
But looking at it from a life perspective?
Beckham eventually became a part-owner in MLS.
So maybe it wasn't such a bad move after all.
Yang Cheng ignored all the outside noise and set his sights squarely on Matchweek 22, to be played on New Year's Day.
Their opponent: West Ham United.
After 21 matches, West Ham sat 18th in the league.
Their form and position? Both abysmal.
Despite signing Tevez and Mascherano from agent Kia Joorabchian last summer, neither had delivered.
Mascherano barely played—Alan Pardew simply didn't trust him.
Tevez was a starter, but he still hadn't scored or assisted even once.
A massive disappointment.
After a 0–4 loss away to Bolton in Matchweek 17, Pardew was sacked.
Alan Curbishley, who had coached Charlton for over a decade, took over.
His start? A loss at home to Manchester United, followed by a 0–0 draw with Fulham.
Then came the Christmas fixture gauntlet:
A 1–2 home loss to Portsmouth, then a 0–1 home loss to Manchester City.
By now, it was clear—West Ham were in freefall.
And the cause wasn't a lack of talent.
It was mismanagement.
Yang Cheng wasn't interested in West Ham's internal drama.
All he cared about was how to beat them at home.
Not just beat them—dominate them, and win over the fans in the stands.
That's why he rotated players during the United match—to save energy for West Ham.
But West Ham boss Alan Curbishley didn't seem to sense the danger.
He was still giving upbeat interviews to the press, saying they were lucky to stay in London for their games—and had a real chance of upsetting a "fatigued" Bayswater China at Wembley.
Maybe he really didn't see the danger coming.
Or maybe… he did—but couldn't do a thing about it.
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