Football Dynasty

Chapter 131: Crystal Palace

"Miss Heysen, could you please turn off the radio? I can’t concentrate."

Miss Heysen, who was currently serving as Richard’s temporary personal assistant, could only look at him helplessly in this state.

"Richard, did you not go home last night?"

If she remembered correctly, she was the first to arrive at the board office—and it was barely six in the morning. Yet the lights in his office were still on, which could only mean one thing... he hadn’t gone home since yesterday!

"You should really take some time to rest, Richard," she said, looking at her boss with concern.

Richard gave a helpless nod. He couldn’t help it.

Ever since John left, he’d been forced to take on all the responsibilities that he once handled. And after firing the entire scouting team, the physios, and merging several unnecessary departments, his plate was overflowing.

Monday, February 21st, was a busy day for Manchester City’s current manager, O’Neill, as they were set to face Crystal Palace in the League Cup Fourth Round.

After a seven-day break, the players finally regained their form and were ready to face their next tough challenge — a Premier League team.

Although Crystal Palace had struggled in the Premier League, sitting in 18th place, a Premier League team is still a Premier League team, and this match wasn’t going to be easy, even if they were playing at Maine Road.

Steve Walford, the current team coach, stepped in to revise the day’s training program, focusing on conserving their stamina.

Richard sat in the stands, planning to observe the team during training. Soon, he was joined by O’Neill and his assistant, Robertson.

They walked onto the field where his squad was already warming up. The energy was intense. Every player knew what was at stake.

"Alright, listen up!" O’Neill clapped his hands to gather their attention. "We have two choices. We can either show up, enjoy the moment, take some pictures—then get embarrassed. Or... we can go to war."

The players exchanged looks, determination settling in.

A Premier League team!

For players like Gallas and Ferdinand, who were recently promoted, to Solskjaer and the three Brazilians, this was their first time facing a top-flight club.

"Make no mistake," O’Neill continued. "Crystal Palace expects to roll over us here in our home. They think we’re just a nuisance for them. They think we’ll freeze under the pressure of the Premier League. But remember! They’re battered, struggling in the Premier League themselves!"

He paused, his voice dropping into something more dangerous. "Let’s show them they’re wrong."

Soon, the Crystal Palace bus arrived at the designated spot. Players began to step off, and Richard immediately noticed their manager, Alan Smith. His disheveled appearance and dark eyes revealed the toll that the pressure of relegation was taking on him.

Then, the last person to step off the bus was someone very familiar to Richard.

Chris Armstrong.

When Richard was a youth coach at City, he had recommended four young players to Tony Book: Chris Armstrong, Rob Jones, Graeme Le Saux, and Steve McManaman.

Richard stood up and walked toward Armstrong, greeting him with a hug.

"How’s it going?" Richard asked, smiling as he saw the familiar face.

Armstrong grinned, clapping Richard on the back. "All good. Just the usual grind. But, you know, things have definitely changed since I was last here."

Richard nodded, scanning the area around Maine Road. "Yeah, I can imagine. By the way, congratulations, you’re about to score your 20th goal for Crystal Palace."

"Haha, thanks, coach."

Richard chuckled at Armstrong’s use of the term coach. "I remember when I recommended you to Tony. You guys were a different breed back then. So much promise," he sighed. "But in the end, you were sold, and City got relegated."

Armstrong’s smile softened. "Those were the days. But we’re still pushing forward, right? Always striving for more."

Richard gave a slight nod. "Exactly. It’s all about moving forward. Let’s make sure we don’t lose sight of that, no matter what."

With their moment of nostalgia behind them, the match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace was about to kick off.

Richard sat in the director’s box, this time alone, making him fidget uncomfortably in his seat.

In the past, this area was always filled with people, executives and other important figures all gathering here, but now, as the sole owner of City, he found himself alone. It felt like being watched, as if he were an exhibit at the zoo.

’It seems I need to invite some people here to watch the match,’ he thought to himself, realizing the emptiness of the space around him.

Crystal Palace immediately pushed forward, asserting their dominance with sharp passing and quick movement.

After all, their opponents were only a third-tier team, so they were confident—even though not all of their starting players were on the field.

Chris Armstrong, as always, became the biggest threat in their front line, along with Darren Pitcher, their midfielder and the club’s new signing for the season.

They finally managed to get a chance to counterattack, but their shot hit the advertisement board behind the goalpost. A collective sigh of relief rippled through the stands, and Richard, too, clutched his chest.

Everything was still building up to the climax.

Goalkeeper Shay Given hurriedly placed the ball on the ground, scanning ahead. His eyes locked onto Ronaldo, who had raised his hand and slipped past his marker. Without hesitation, Given launched a long kick toward Ronaldo on the left.

Thankfully, Pitcher, who had noticed Given’s intentions, was already in position. He managed to head the ball forward, but it soon landed at the feet of Keith Gillespie.

Gillespie quickly passed it to the nearest Roberto Carlos.

With his overwhelming composure, he managed to keep the ball under control.

Ronaldo, seeing the pass fail, immediately dropped back to help with the defense. However, noticing the ball at Roberto Carlos’ feet, he stopped his track suddenly, then made a sharp turn and dashed in the opposite direction, catching his marker off guard.

Seeing this, Roberto Carlos slid the ball toward him, aiming for Ronaldo, who sprinted forward.

Alan Smith instantly sensed the danger. "Hey, watch them both! Fall back, fall back!"

Everyone knew that, in the current City squad, there was one exceptional dribbler—Ronaldo—who was known for his confidence. He was never afraid to take on defenders and was always looking to make something happen.

All of Crystal Palace’s players were immediately alerted to the danger. They quickly swarmed to the left, surrounding him like a swarm of bees, including goalkeeper Nigel Martyn, who yelled, "Be careful! Mark him!"

"Carlos slid a perfect pass through to the left—Ronaldo is in!!" the commentator exclaimed, rising from his seat.

Ronaldo received Roberto Carlos’s beautiful pass at the left corner of the goal area, before making a dash toward the left quadrant of the penalty box. In front of him stood three Palace defenders.

Ronaldo raised his foot... and instinctively, the three defenders reacted in unison, ready to block.

But Ronaldo didn’t shoot.

Instead, he passed the ball into the middle of the penalty area, where it was completely open!

All of the Palace players had been completely fooled by him!

"Oh, there’s the open space! And Solskjaer’s there, waiting!!!"

As Solskjaer dashed forward, seeing the ball pass him by Ronaldo, all the Palace players stood stunned, paralyzed—including their goalkeeper, who foolishly kept his eyes on the ball, still tracking it as it was curled across the penalty box. Only then did he realize the danger.

Solskjaer, without hesitation, took the shot.

The ball flew into the net at lightning speed, hitting the middle of the goalpost.

The crowd erupted in cheers!

In the Crystal Palace camp, there was a mix of disbelief and frustration, as their defense had been outfoxed. The goalkeeper, still frozen in place, slapped the ground in frustration. Alan Smith, their manager, could only shake his head in disbelief at what had just transpired.

"Just like that," the commentator said, "City takes the lead, and what a team goal that was!"

The score stayed the same until the halftime whistle blew.

Manchester City 1-0 Crystal Palace.

The fans in the stands slowly dispersed, eager to make the most of the 15-minute break. They replenished their energy and took a quick trip to the bathroom, all while mentally preparing for the intense battle that awaited in the second half.

Soon the second half began.

Richard had barely settled into his seat for the second half when Crystal Palace came out swinging. They played faster, sharper, and more ruthlessly.

City had expected a storm.

But this?

This was an avalanche.

In the 67th minute, City’s midfield—Jamie Pollock, Keith Gillespie, and Graham Fenton—could not withstand the onslaught as Crystal Palace pushed everyone forward. They definitely didn’t want to be the first team to lose to a third-tier side!

Pitcher intercepted a lazy pass from Jamie Pollock, and City scrambled to win the ball back.

After receiving the pass from Pitcher, Palace’s winger drifted inside, picking up the ball between the lines. They knew that City’s current weakness was controlling the ball in the middle — and they were right, as Keith Gillespie and Graham Fenton stepped forward to press — too late.

A quick turn — their right-back was free on the right flank. Roberto Carlos tried to pull his shirt but was shrugged off, and in one swift motion, the right-back fired a split-second pass to Armstrong inside the box.

Shay Given lunged forward — but it wasn’t enough to stop the tap-in.

"GOOOAAALLL!!! Crystal Palace have equalized! Chris Armstrong strikes again!" the commentator shouted. "Oh my God, that’s his twentieth goal of the season! I bet a lot of clubs will be lining up for his signature next season!"

"Rumor has it," the co-commentator added, "Tottenham have already made contact with Crystal Palace about Armstrong!"

This goal truly became City’s nightmare, as Crystal Palace’s confidence surged to the max. Maine Road was filled with tension, the nerves almost tangible.

And then, finally, everything broke down.

90+1 minute.

Disaster.

Just as the fourth official put down the electronic signage board and turned away, Palace won a free-kick deep in City’s half — about 25 meters from the penalty area.

They had already earned five free-kicks throughout the match, but the first four had all been wasted by Pitcher.

But this time...

As Pitcher stood over the ball, the City fans around Richard were still singing and jumping, trying desperately to distract him.

Richard stood up from his seat in the director’s box, saying nothing, his eyes locked on the field. It was precisely moments like this that made him the most nervous.

As long as City survived this free-kick, there would be a replay — a second chance. He could then use the waiting period to bring in another midfielder, strengthening the squad and hoping for a miracle.

If they pulled it off, City would become the first Second Division team to reach the League Cup quarter-finals this season.

It might not be the most glamorous achievement, but a record was still a record — and it would be a huge boost to the team’s morale for the rest of the campaign.

Pitcher had his back to the jeering City fans, and there was no close-up on the big screen. Richard couldn’t see the player’s expression in that moment.

The head referee blew the whistle, and Pitcher followed up with his shot.

Richard Given barely had time to react before Pitcher let it fly!

A rocket—curling toward the top corner.

Richard pulled his hands to his face in frustration, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Given sprang to his left, stretching every muscle in his body, but the ball tore through the rain, arcing over the human wall. It spun, evading his outstretched hand, before crashing into the net.

The water beads splashed in every direction, even blurring Richard’s vision as the reality of the goal set in.

Silence.

A moment of pure disbelief inside Maine Road.