Millions of fans watching the global broadcast simultaneously gasped in collective disbelief as they watched the slow-motion replay on their screens.
Every move was deceptive, and the entire process was executed with the ease of a leisurely Sunday stroll, perfectly showcasing Ling's extraterrestrial ball control and supreme confidence.
From Kevin De Bruyne to Kyle Walker, and then to Vincent Kompany, no one managed to even touch the ball. In the end, Ederson was left in an embarrassing state, utterly fooled by the audacious chip shot.
To exaggerate a little, Ling had single-handedly dismantled Manchester City's multi-million-pound right flank and completed a finish of artistic beauty.
How could the fans not be excited?
@KDB_Masterclass: If De Bruyne can enter 'God Mode' with that pass, so can Ling! What a response!
@RedDevilTactics: This is what a key player is—someone who steps up at the most critical moments. After a season of honing his skills, Ling can fully carry the attack on the left flank. He is the main man now.
@CityWatch: To be honest, the Manchester City players did well enough defensively. Who would've thought three of them couldn't stop one man? It defies logic.
@VinnysHead: Kompany is getting old, sadly. That step to press wasn't fast enough. A few years ago, he would have intercepted that directly.
@StonesFan: By the way, John Stones isn't playing today. Otherwise, the defense might've been a bit better with his ball-playing ability.
@RealistBlue: Replying to @StonesFan: You're overthinking it. Stones is good at dribbling and passing, but his actual defensive skills are softer than Kompany's. If he were on the pitch, young Ling would've had an even easier time.
@UnitedGlobal: Build the statue already!
...
The camera returned to the pitch.
Ling had just finished his celebration, and the Manchester United fans followed the rhythm of his fist pumps, erupting in deafening roars that shook the foundations of the Etihad.
They were gradually growing fond of this interactive celebration, finding a sense of inexplicable achievement and involvement in the team's success.
The Manchester United players also crowded around Ling, wildly waving their arms and screaming in delight.
This goal had boosted their morale to the maximum, sweeping away the gloom of conceding earlier to Manchester City.
Everyone was now filled with unshakable confidence about securing the final victory.
In contrast, the Manchester City players looked somewhat dazed, as if they hadn't yet recovered from the shock of that goal.
Kyle Walker rubbed his groin, grimacing, and noticed his teammates' glances drifting toward him.
He said angrily, "I did my best to defend! I swear, but that kid's moves were too fast. There was simply no time to react."
"I'm not making excuses—no one could've stopped that."
Kompany nodded silently in agreement, fully endorsing Kyle Walker's words.
Then, a heavy thought settled in his mind; he felt that he had truly grown old.
Perhaps he should retire after one more season—becoming a head coach wouldn't be a bad idea, leaving these nightmares for the next generation.
Ederson tightened his gloves and looked across the pitch at David De Gea.
He had transferred from Benfica to Manchester City for €40 million this season, believing firmly that among Premier League goalkeepers, only De Gea, Thibaut Courtois, and Jordan Pickford could compare to him, and that sooner or later he would surpass them to become the world's number one goalkeeper.
Winning the Premier League title in his first season was supposed to be the perfect start.
But things were gradually deviating from his expectations.
Manchester United's strength was surprisingly formidable, and he couldn't help but feel a hint of negativity creeping in.
"My God! How is that possible?"
On the sidelines, Pep Guardiola clutched his head, his expression filled with disbelief.
He had anticipated conceding a goal to Manchester United, but not in this manner.
Back when he coached Barcelona, he had encountered a similar player—Lionel Messi.
No matter how they defended against him in training, he would eventually bulldoze his way through with pure skill. Back then, Guardiola had been the beneficiary, smiling on the bench, but now he was the victim.
It was indeed a peculiar, bitter tasting feeling.
Nearby, Jose Mourinho wasn't faring much better.
He subconsciously tugged at his graying hair, clearly stunned by Ling's performance.
He had coached players with insane dribbling skills before—Eden Hazard, Arjen Robben, Cristiano Ronaldo, and others.
But Ling gave him a different impression entirely.
The combination of unparalleled physical impact and exquisite technique was like a heavy tank performing a delicate drift—utterly incongruous yet magnificent.
"Boss, how should we adjust next?" Rui Faria interrupted Mourinho's thoughts.
After a moment's hesitation, Mourinho replied, "It's still too early. Let's wait for City to make a substitution first, then adjust accordingly."
With Manchester United holding the initiative in the match, it was best to maintain the current situation on the field and let the players ride the wave of momentum.
Soon, Guardiola made a substitution.
Gabriel Jesus replaced Bernardo Silva.
Although the Brazilian youngster stood only 175cm tall, he was a traditional striker at heart, with excellent movement and finishing ability.
He was widely considered Sergio Aguero's successor.
However, he often found himself confused by Guardiola's unconventional tactics, unsure of how he should play in the false-nine system.
One could say his tactical understanding was weak, or perhaps that Guardiola often experimented too much for his own good.
As a result, he spent most of his time on the bench. Just moments earlier, he had been hoping for City to concede, specifically so he could get a chance to play.
Unexpectedly, his wish had come true.
Jesus eagerly sprinted to his position, determined to become City's savior and hear the cheers of the Etihad Stadium ringing for him.
Whatever that Manchester United No. 7 could do, he believed he could do too!
Jesus was brimming with confidence!
...
The match resumed.
The City players understood that the more critical the moment, the more composed they needed to be.
They had to control possession and ensure efficiency in their attacks.
The LED screen by the pitch displayed the match statistics.
City had 66% possession and 75 attacking chances.
They led in every metric, including fouls.
Despite City's polished appearance, they were uncompromising when it came to fouling, especially during their high-press phases—the famous "tactical fouls" of a Guardiola side.
In the 78th minute, City created another massive chance from the right half-space.
Kevin De Bruyne, pushing his remaining stamina to the absolute limit, delivered an incredibly precise diagonal long pass.
But this time, the United players quickly coordinated, with De Gea rushing out and punching the ball clear of the penalty area with both fists.
David Silva attempted a lob from the edge of the box on the rebound.
The shot had a bit too much power, and the ball sailed agonizingly over the crossbar.
Guardiola made another substitution, bringing on Ilkay Gundogan for the exhausted De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero for Raheem Sterling.
Both were elite attacking players.
The Manchester City fans in the stands began to sing their melodious team anthem, "Blue Moon," but then, some loudly began chanting a string of strange numbers.
"93:20!"
May 13, 2012, marked the final moments of the 2011-12 Premier League season, and it was still unknown who would put the perfect finishing touch on that season's league.
Manchester City hosted Queens Park Rangers at home, needing only a decisive victory to secure the championship.
But as the 90 minutes of regulation time flew by, the score remained tied at 2-2, and City fans had already fallen into deep despair.
Yet miracles often emerge from the deepest despair—Sergio Aguero scored a last-gasp winner against Queens Park Rangers.
The clock stopped at 93 minutes and 20 seconds!
In the end, Manchester City clinched the title on goal difference ahead of Manchester United, winning their first top-flight league championship since 1968.
"Listen to that sound!" Peter Drury whispered into the microphone. "The ghosts of 2012 are being summoned by the Etihad faithful!"
Hearing the familiar melody and the chant, the Manchester City players felt a surge of fighting spirit rise in their hearts, each of them regaining their motivation.
If they could create a miracle back then, why couldn't they do it today?
Where there's a will, there's a way!
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