311 When the Dust Settled Part 1 (1/2)
Chapter 311: When the Dust Settled Part 1
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Despite the fact that Nottingham Forest defeating Manchester United was not considered an upset, the media still expressed some surprise at the result. The general view had been that the Forest team would fall behind under the attacks by the four powerhouse teams. They had not expected them to win against Manchester United instead.
For Twain, the news from the Maine Road stadium was equally as good as they had beaten Manchester United at their home ground. After they squashed Liverpool, Manchester City also leveled Everton. In this way, despite the fact that the 33rd round of the game had not been played, the Forest team completed its reversal to surpass Everton. With fifty-six points they advanced to fourth place, above Everton with its fifty-five points.
In March of this year, Kevin Keegan, who had been unable to lead Manchester City, was dismissed. His successor was the then assistant manager, Stuart Pearce. He became the acting manager of Manchester City as the club continued to look for a new manager. But while they searched, they realized that the right person for the club was right in front of them; Pearce was Manchester City's best manager. It was not necessary to search externally.
Manchester City scored 15 points in eight games under his leadership, achieving Manchester City's best Premier League results in a decade. If everything went on without a hitch, Pearce would be April's best manager.
Led by him, the Manchester City team was revitalized. It was not surprising that they had been able to level two teams from Liverpool.
Pearce was previously trained in Nottingham Forest. Twain had no evidence that Pearce had deliberately helped the Forest team. After all, Manchester City also wanted to survive, as well as to work hard to qualify for a spot in the UEFA Champions League. But he still kept his gratitude to Pearce at the bottom of his heart. He would thank him in person when he had the opportunity to meet him in the future, whether he accepted it or not.
Arsenal tied with Chelsea in the away match. This result basically meant that unless there was a miracle, Chelsea already had the Premier League championship title in the bag for this season.
To end up in this state after such a brilliant start must have been quite upsetting for the Arsenal team. They desperately need a way to release tension like volcanoes.
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On April 23, the Forest team won against another opponent in the City Ground stadium after defeating Manchester United: Liverpool. Twain also put in a lot of effort for this game, even though he knew that Benítez might not put in his full effort. This was because Liverpool still needed to face the UEFA Champions League final. The Champions League final was obviously more important than the Premier League.
However, knowing that clearly did not mean that he would relax his requirements. Twain's tactics and lineup were exactly the same as they had been for their home victory over Manchester United.
As expected, Liverpool did not send out its main forces for this game, but only half of them. Benítez conserved his forces for the Champions League final.
The Liverpool players' hearts did not seem to be in the game either. Unsurprisingly, Twain took revenge for their devastating defeat at Anfield in the previous half of the season and won against the distracted Liverpool by 1:0.
At the end of the game, Twain, who benefited from the situation, shook hands with Benítez and even wished him well in the Champions League with a radiant expression.
”I think AC Milan may have underestimated you, Mr. Benítez. You have a great chance of winning the championship.” He winked at Benítez.
Benítez did not understand what Twain meant, but still, he thanked him politely with a smile.