2-0 Up, Someone Pulled a Stunt, and the Suspense Was Back!

"Kolarov unleashed a powerful shot that deflected off Agüero's face and into the net!"

"Haha, just kidding. Kolarov was crossing, but the power of that cross was comparable to his previous long-range shot from 35 meters out!"

"That was the right choice. Before Tang Long's pass even landed, we launched a flat shot, which is why we were able to catch the defenders off guard!"

"Speaking of Tang Long's passing, I have to mention that outside-of-the-foot pass, although it was only the penultimate pass, played a crucial role!"

"In the first half, I don't know if it was the head coach's arrangement, but Tang Long consciously linked up with Kolarov on the left wing several times, and this time it finally succeeded!"

Manchester City players reacted differently to the goal.

The midfielders and forwards were stunned by Tang's outside-of-the-foot pass!

With his back to the goal and the outside of his foot, he controlled both the ball speed and accuracy perfectly, without the slightest error.

If the pressure is too high, Kolarov won't be able to get past the opponent's full-back; if it's too low, he might not be able to get over the opponent's head.

"How can he pass the message so accurately? It's amazing!" Silva said to Yaya Toure, covering his mouth.

"He anticipated it in advance; he knew Kolarov would make a run in that position. It's not actually that difficult." Although Toure said it wasn't difficult, his admiration for Tang Long grew even stronger.

He knew that although Kolarov provided the assist, it was Agüero scored the goal.

In the post-match statistics, this goal had nothing to do with Tang Long.

However, judging from the development of the situation, Toure, who won the treble with the Dream Team III Barca, saw it very clearly. It was Tang Long's lob pass that opened up the situation, or rather, created a new breakthrough!

When Toure played for Barca, he often saw scenes like this.

It's either Iniesta or Lionel Messi, at the edge of the penalty area, without stopping the ball, with a seemingly casual flick of the foot, the ball soars over the head of the opposing defender and flies into open space, where there will definitely be a player making a run, either Alves or Eto'o!

"Those moves just now... they had a bit of the feel of Barca at their peak back then," Toure thought to himself.

Tang Long's brilliant performance also won praise from Manchester City's defenders, but they were more focused on Ranocchia's successful tackle!

Absolutely amazing!

Berahino's quick and agile movements, weaving left and right, are a nightmare for any Premier League center-back over 1.9 meters tall.

Ranocchia stands at 195cm, making him the tallest player at Manchester City and a key target for West Bromwich Albion's dribbling prowess.

"Manchester City has brought in a big, clumsy Italy guy, quite handsome, but he's slow to turn. If you guys like to dribble past him, just go for it, especially you, Berahino! You're the fastest guy in our team, so you need to get him a yellow card as soon as possible, so he'll be hesitant and timid, and then we'll have an easier time!" This was the West Bromwich Albion manager's instruction to his players in the locker room before the match.

However, this so-called weak link only exists as a hypothesis.

Ranocchia's turning speed and absolute speed were no match for Berahino, who was a full 15 centimeters shorter.

But the strength of this Italy center-back lies in his ability to fully utilize his height and long legs to make up for his mistakes.

Your speed is a natural advantage, but my long legs are just as good, aren't they?

This backstep Bow-stance interception is a killer move used when you have completely lost your position and center of gravity. You kneel in a bow stance, and suddenly pull one leg back and extend it out, blocking the path of the ball, thus achieving the miraculous effect of saving a collapsing building!

Berahino has a long history of facing England's homegrown center-backs, outmaneuvering them one by one.

But he never dreamed that this "big, dumb Italy" the coach had mentioned would use a move he had never seen before, kicking away the one-on-one opportunity that was about to be delivered to him!

Kompany looked at Ranocchia's sharply defined profile, his forehead obscured by hair loosely tied with his headband, and thought, "I've seen this move of his before, but it was during the internal 3v3 exhibition match at Tang's signing ceremony. I wasn't using my full strength then; even after intercepting the ball, I still passed it to Tang Long. Just now, he was facing West Bromwich Albion's fastest player, Berahino. Last season, I suffered quite a bit against him, getting faked out twice. But Ranocchia's Bow-step interception resulted in a clean and decisive steal. This Italy is no pushover; I must learn a thing or two from him sometime."

He touched his shiny bald head again, and muttered sourly to himself, "Damn it, so much hair and such a good soccer player, why didn't I, Kompany, have such good fortune?"

The first half has ended.

Inside the changing room.

Agüero pressed an ice pack to his swollen face, hissing and grimacing as he praised Kolarov's cross as both steady and powerful, suggesting he continue with such low crosses next time, though he subtly added that it could be a little lower, not aimed directly at his face.

Substitute player Clichy was whispering to his starting right-back and France national team teammate Sagna.

The two kept glancing at Tang Long and then at Kolarov, muttering to themselves.

Milner remained seated next to Joe Hart, staring at everyone without uttering a word.

Tang Long started the game, first assisting Sterling, and then chipping a pass to Kolarov, who assisted Agüero to extend the score to 2-0, almost securing the victory.

This made Milner feel extremely uncomfortable, but there was nothing he could do, because Tang Long was indeed playing well, and that was an undeniable fact.

"Haha, I scored! That feels so good!"

Just as Milner was at his wit's end, Sterling, sipping his drink, plopped down between Milner and Joe Hart.

Watching his national team teammate score Manchester City's first home goal, Milner felt a pang of jealousy.

We're both England, and you're still my underling. Why do you get to start while I'm stuck on the bench? And now you're coming over shouting about scoring a goal—are you trying to show off in front of me?

"That was a good kick, Sterling, very decisive," Joe Hart said.

"Hehe, it's mainly because Tang Chuan is so good. I just turn around following the ball's trajectory, and without even adjusting, the ball rolls right to my feet!"

Sterling seemed oblivious to Milner's strange gaze beside him, continuing to talk incessantly with Joe Hart, praising Don's passing all the time.

Milner's face turned grim. He shoved Sterling, pushing him to the ground between the two of them.

Sterling was startled and turned around to see Milner's murderous gaze. Only then did his burning passion for the goal cool down.

He was about to apologize to Milner when Milner got up and walked away.

In the second half, Manchester City deliberately slowed down the pace of their attack.

The league is a marathon, and for a team like Manchester City aiming for the title, they not only need to win, but also need to win at the lowest possible cost.

The ball remained firmly in the players' control, and it was clear that everyone was very satisfied with this pace of the game.

Their opponents, West Bromwich Albion, had already given up, and the players began to stroll around in unison.

It's not that the players weren't giving it their all.

For a club like West Bromwich Albion, which is a yo-yo club, if they don't fight hard, they'll have to go back to the EFL Championship next season, and the players' salaries will be significantly reduced.

However, it's crucial to fight on the edge. Instead of battling Manchester City to the death, where even a broken leg might not yield a single point, wouldn't it be better to compete against lower-ranked teams like Hull City, Burnley, and Sunderland? Wouldn't that offer a much better chance of securing points?

The strategy of "Tian Ji's horse racing" is used throughout the entire season and is a choice that every coach will have to make.

In the 63rd minute, seeing that the game was lost, West Bromwich Albion substituted former Manchester United star Fletcher with Yacob, in preparation for the next match.

Seeing West Bromwich Albion surrender, Pellegrini's side also called it a day.

In the 64th minute, Tang Long was substituted off, and Milner came on.

This time, Milner gave Tang Long a light high-five, but still avoided eye contact, not even glancing at him.

According to Pellegrini's tactical plan, Milner is Tang Long's first substitute this season.

Although Milner's passing is not as good as Tang Long's, and his dribbling and technique are far inferior, Milner is a versatile midfielder who can play in many positions. His strong stamina and fierce pressing are the assets that have allowed him to stay at Manchester City for many years.

Therefore, when Pellegrini gave Tang Long 60 minutes and then substituted him according to the pre-match plan, the first person he thought of was Milner. He had to appease him and give him some time as well.

Milner was exceptionally active after coming on!

His playing style in the attacking midfield position is completely different from Tang Long's.

If Tang Long is a swordsman, then Milner can't even be called a knife-wielder; he's more like a brute wielding a giant iron hammer!

He caused a ruckus in the attacking midfield position, making several high-impact tackles, one of which earned him a yellow card.

Pellegrini had to shout, "Watch your movements, Milner! Don't get hurt! It's unnecessary!"

West Bromwich Albion players had already given up and didn't want to play anymore. Losing to you by three points shows they were simply outmatched, so there's nothing to complain about.

But Milner's actions actually boosted their morale!

You've already won, why are you still making such a big fuss? What, we both play in the Premier League, do you think I'm afraid of you?

West Bromwich Albion players are on fire!

Many people became entangled in a fight with Milner.

In the 81st minute, West Bromwich Albion earned a rare corner kick opportunity.

The cross was cleared by Ranocchia to outside the penalty area.

Milner, positioned at the edge of the penalty area, controlled the ball, intending to pass it to Agüero.

But Yacob, who had just come on as a substitute, immediately closed in.

"Pass it quickly! Get the ball away!" Ranocchia commanded Milner.

Milner, however, refused to pass the ball. He had previously been entangled with Yacob in front of the West Bromwich Albion penalty area. Milner tried to get past him, but he was physically outmatched and was knocked aside.

Now that you've finally got a chance, and you've delivered it right to my doorstep, how can I possibly let you get away with this and get my revenge?

Milner, desperate to prove himself and blinded by ambition, actually tried to nutmeg Yacob at the edge of the penalty area.

He thought he was being clever, believing that since I couldn't outrun him, I would win by using skill.

Without a doubt, he didn't go over. Yacob took the ball, turned around, and kicked it through the crowd without even looking!

Right after the corner kick, with many players in the penalty area, Hart's view was obstructed, and he watched the ball go into the net.

1 to 2!

In the 82nd minute, West Bromwich Albion pulled one back!

Pellegrini was stunned, and he kept shaking his head at Milner.

Agüero laughed, waved his hand, and looked completely bewildered.

Kompany immediately squatted down on the ground, covering his face with his hands. He had played with Milner for many years and simply couldn't understand how Milner could dribble past someone at the edge of his own penalty area.

"Milner, what are you doing!" Ranocchia yelled at him and charged at him.