370 We’ve Won Part 1 (1/2)
”The game has progressed for eighty-six minutes and the home team, Nottingham Forest, has been awarded a direct free kick in the front field. This is a precious chance; almost all the Forest players have rushed up to watch.”
”Arteta gives the football to the young Gareth Bell. This is the first time he has stood in front of the football to prepare for a free kick since his debut. Gareth Bale, aged sixteen, is an outstanding player from the Forest Team Youth training camp. He can play the two positions of left back and left midfielder. He's capable in assists and very good at free kicks.”
”Let's see if young Bale can score the first goal of his career in the game against Chelsea! This is the crucial goal that decides the victory! The pressure must be high for him.”
”...But the kid's performance has already surprised us repeatedly. If he can really withstand the pressure and score this goal, I wouldn't be surprised.”
”At sixteen years old, the Welsh kid, Gareth Bale, stands before the ball. In front of him is the wall of five Chelsea players. This may be the free kick that will determine the final outcome of this game and a goal that will determine Bale's future.”
The commentator stopped his commentary. The spectators in the stands and at home held their breath.
On the tiny television screen, Bale stepped back. As the referee's whistle rang, he ran and swung his leg to take a shot.
The football drew an arc over Makelele's bald head, skirted Čech's outstretched fingers and brushed past the goalpost into the goal!
Countless arms stretched out, and no one could hear the sound of the commentary coming from the television. Even the image on the screen swayed violently. The entire City Ground stadium was in a frenzy.
”GOOOAL!” In the stands, Bale's father turned to hug a man fatter than he was.
”GOOOAL!” Countless red-clad Forest fans jumped with their arms aloft in the stands.
”City Ground stadium is shaking. Gary, can you feel it?” Motson asked in the commentator's box.
”Of course, John. Bale has ignited this red volcano, and it's gorgeous! It's perfect! At sixteen years old, Gareth Bale's performance in this game is impeccable!”
”Wait, Gary, there's something even more gorgeous.” Motson suddenly arose and looked down.
In the television footage, Twain, who had rushed out from the technical area, suddenly did a 360-degree side somersault and landed firmly. He vigorously waved his fists as if he was the one who had scored!
Lineker laughed.
Surrounded by his ecstatic teammates, Bale might or might not have seen the scene on the sidelines from the field.
”Tony Twain must have been in the circus. He did that with such ease!”
”The newspapers' editors are gonna have a headache deciding who is going to make the headlines.”
”Tony? Tony?” David Kerslake called out to Twain who was still brandishing his fists.
”Yes?” Twain looked back at his partner.
”How did you think to do that?”
”I promised Bale that if he scored the goal, I'd give him a much cooler celebration. What do you think?”
”It was awesome!” Kerslake laughed, ”We've won, right, Tony?”
Twain turned to look at the electronic scoreboard. The score displayed had changed from ”2:2” to ”3:2”. He looked down at his watch. There was not much time left until the end of the game.
”I don't want to give a verdict when the game isn't over yet, but...” He nodded at Kerslake and said, ”You're right, David. We're all set for victory!”
※※※
Bale's goal was a huge blow to Chelsea's morale. They were overtaken by the other side when there were four minutes left in the game. Even Mourinho did not have a better idea at that point.
Instead, the Forest team was braver as they fought on. They still had the opportunity to break through Chelsea's goal in the final stage of the game. If it were not for Čech's heroic performance, the game would have made Mourinho lose face.
When the referee blew the final whistle at the end of the game, the City Ground stadium became a sea of joy. The Forest team's supporters sang their team songs at the top of their lungs to celebrate their team's victory over Chelsea again.
”The game is over! After a fierce fight, Nottingham Forest defeated Chelsea by 3:2 on their home ground! Since their return to the Premier League, the Forest team has maintained their unbeaten record against Chelsea. Mourinho still has not beaten them.”
”With this game's victory, the Forest team's points rise from twenty-two to twenty-five points. After the start of the season, Chelsea, who has been unbeaten for ten rounds, suffered their first defeat. Their points remained the same and the second-placed Forest team narrowed the gap to only three points. The league is starting to look good!”
This time, Mourinho, who had been defeated, did not turn around and leave. Instead, he took the initiative to shake hands with Twain according to the usual custom.
”Till Stamford Bridge,” Mourinho said this when they shook hands. Twain knew he was already planning his revenge for the home game.