Chapter 40 Leeds Team 2

Leeds United finally defeated Lyon with a score of 4:0 at the Gerland Stadium, and the Frenchman gave an own gift from their centre-back Mazzari in the 76th minute.

Although the Champions League knockout stage is a two-leg match, after Leeds United defeated their opponent 4-0 away, they could even return to their home court and lose three goals to their opponents. The suspense of entering the Champions League quarterfinals has been strangled to death.

After returning to England, Leeds United was welcomed by Leeds fans, who shouted "Champion, Champion" at the airport and expressed their desire for the Champions League trophy without reservation.

Simon Grayson continued to use rotation in the next game. He has now completely tasted the sweetness. The most important thing is that Shaq can adjust his physical fitness through this rotation. After reducing his playing time, his condition will be significantly improved, which is more important than anything else.

In the last three Premier League games, Shaq scored 12 goals. In this Champions League game, Shaq scored twice away and had an assist. This is a proof of his real state of recovery.

Because there are four games to play before Leeds United's home game against Lyon, Simon Grayson has to arrange everything in detail.

In the fifth round of the FA Cup on February 22, Simon Grayson let Shaq play in the first half, Shaq scored another goal, and Leeds United defeated Wolves 3:0 away.

On February 26, Leeds United ushered in the 27th round of the Premier League. Simon Grayson arranged a lineup of all young players at home, and finally lost to the "Red Army" Liverpool 0:2 at home. He was late for the third defeat in the Premier League this season.

However, this loss was within Simon Grayson's tolerance. Leeds United will play in the League Cup final next. The championship trophy is on hand, who doesn't want it!?

If you want a championship trophy, you naturally need Shaq and other old players to lead the team to fight for it. Young people still have too little experience, and the old players are more trustworthy at critical moments.

This time, Leeds United's opponent in the League Cup final was Everton. Although the two teams competed in the Premier League, the strength of the two teams was still not at the same level. Leeds United is the defending champion. Everton is only in the middle of the match, and the "Youth Guards" are also the defending champion in the League Cup event.

So Simon Grayson and Leeds United, as well as every Leeds fan, are still full of expectations for the final of this League Cup and hope to complete the title defense.

But no matter how bold the fans are, they will not predict this League Cup final at Wembley Stadium...it is like this!

When the game was 40 minutes later, Leeds United substitution. Simon Grayson replaced Shaq with young player Campbell!

Why!?

Because...Leeds United is already sure to win!

Although the game only started forty minutes, Leeds United had already led Everton 4:0. All four goals came from... Shaq!

Just 5 minutes into the game, Hoydenk dribbled the ball and attracted two Everton defensive players to suddenly make a direct pass. Shaq, who had only one person to guard, easily got rid of his opponent and ran to the pass route and pushed it. The ball flew straight into the blind corner of the lower right corner of the Everton goal... 1:0!

In the 21st minute, Leeds United took a corner kick from the right in the frontcourt, and Shaq took off in the small penalty area in the middle, shook his head, and the ball entered... 2:0!

In the 26th minute, Shaq received a pass from Hoydenk in the penalty area on the right. He shot lightly, and the ball flew over the Everton goalkeeper's head and fell... 3:0!

In the 38th minute, Leeds United got a counterattack opportunity. Colm gave Shaq a direct pass. Shaq dribbled the ball and ran 35 meters all the way, pushing the ball into the far corner in the penalty area on the left side of Everton...4:0!

Shaq, who completed the "big four-game delight", welcomed the applause from everyone in Wembley Stadium. Even Everton's supporters stood up and applauded. The loss of this ball... made people lose the temper and complain!

The strong have always been respected on the football field, and Shaq has obviously been the strongest man in the past ten years. His brave performance can be compared with his peak period, even his opponent will be conquered by him.

Off the court, Simon Grayson asked Campbell to warm up when Shaq performed a "hat trick". The League Cup final is not a big scene, but it is also overstated. It is still correct to give young people some exercise opportunities while ensuring victory.

When Shaq completes the "big four-game", Simon Grayson will substitute without hesitation!

Campbell, who was waiting to slap Shaq on the field, hugging him, looked at Shaq with enthusiasm and admiration. He felt that he could never feel the responsibility he shouldered like before him. He was Shaq's chosen successor. In the future... he will definitely work harder!

In the last few minutes of the first half, although Leeds United took the initiative in the game, they still failed to break through the Everton goal.

But after the game entered the second half, Leeds United scored again. In 67 minutes, Hoydenk smashed Colm's cross from the left into Everton's goal...5:0!

In the 76th minute, Colm started dribbling the ball from the left and led all the way to Everton's penalty area on the right. He finally pushed the ball and scored in the lower right corner of the goal. The score was locked at 6:0!

After the game, Simon Grayson said in an on-site interview with reporters: "The defending League Cup is not a success. We have a greater goal to achieve this season! Success? It is far from being! We have just started on the road!"

Simon Grayson said it was quite tough, but in fact, the "Young Guards" are still facing a little difficulty, that is, injuries!

After the game against Lyon, captain Jonny Hausen sprained his knee joint again and needed three weeks of rest. The only spiritual leader of Leeds United was Shaq.

In the game against Liverpool, the young left-back Joe Hicks also sprained his ankle. He needed to rest for four weeks, and the injuries of these two people were not very affected!

Right back Chen Jinlong was injured and recuperated for a week. He was about to miss the home game between Leeds United and Lyon. Fortunately, there is 18-year-old right back Clegg Richardson. Although this right back is young, he is a little worse than Chen Jinlong in Leeds United. However, he has won 26 opportunities to play with his strength this season. He was selected for the England team last year and has played 14 times for the "Three Lions". Now he is still working hard as a substitute for the "Youth Guards". Simon Grayson is embarrassed. He has just signed a new contract with him, and his weekly salary has increased to 57,000 pounds!

Although the three players in the Leeds injured barracks have little impact on the team, Simon Grayson still has to be more cautious. After all, it is already late in the season, and the players' physical condition inevitably declines. What will happen in the end of the hard work of a season? It depends on the team's performance in the remaining two months.

Simon Grayson discussed with the coaching staff and made a decision. In the next 28th round of the Premier League, Leeds United will continue to adopt a rotation system to create enough rest time for Shaq and others.

Making this decision really gave Simon Grayson, Harvey and others a headache because after Leeds United lost 0-2 to Liverpool, their advantage in the standings to lead Arsenal has narrowed to six points.

Leeds United will visit Etihad Stadium in the 28th round of the game. They will face the fourth place in the standings "Blue Moon" Manchester City in this round!

Although Manchester City is no longer the protagonist in the transfer market in recent years and the club's investment has been declining year by year, this team is still the top four in the Premier League. It has French midfielder David Andre, Brazilian forward Bifoe, and star former midfielder Graham Ford, Maschar and other stars.

Facing the powerful Manchester City, Simon Grayson dares to send a lineup of young players to challenge the opponent. It really takes a lot of courage.

But it was such a truly young "Youth Guards" who gave Simon Grayson and all Leeds United supporters a surprise at the Etihad Stadium!

14 minutes into the game, Manchester City, who played at home, started the record first. The young Graham Ford directly shot from outside the penalty area on the left and scored the ball into the Leeds United goal... 1:0, Manchester City, who played at home, took the lead!

At this time, the tone of the game was still expected, but the development of the game was shocking...

In 18 minutes, just four minutes after Manchester City took the lead, John Allen received a pass from Ashley Hood from the top of the penalty area, turned around and shot, and knocked the ball into the upper right corner of Manchester City's goal... 1:1 tie!

In the 24th minute, Lens dribbled the ball to the bottom line of Manchester City's left penalty area, and suddenly knocked the ball back with his heel. John Allen, who followed, dribbled the ball horizontally and suddenly kicked the ball into Manchester City's left goal... Leeds United overtook 2:1!

The "Blue Moon" that the main players did not panic after unexpectedly moving from leading to falling behind. They still organized the attack closely with the cheers of the fans at home of the Etihad Stadium.

But when the game ended at 31 minutes, unfortunately came to Manchester City again. After breaking through, Lons gave Campbell a slash pass, marking Campbell's French central defender Ben Dejemia who grabbed the front tackle. Although he blocked the ball, he unexpectedly "scooped" the ball into the blind corner of his goal... an own goal!

3:1, Leeds United's lead expanded unexpectedly!

Own goals are definitely the most powerful goal-striking goal on the court. Manchester City was completely stunned this time. They can accept being scored by their opponents twice in a row while they were leading. After all, the "Youth Guards" is not a bottom team. Even if the Leeds United team in front of them may only be considered Leeds second team, their strength is still not underestimated, but Ben Deyemiya's goal...what is this going on!?

12 to 10!?

In the remaining game, Leeds United followed Simon Grayson's instructions and the whole team changed to a defensive counterattack, using the stable defense to wait for an opportunity to fight back against the opponent. Lens, Campbell, John Allen and others were not slow. After two counterattacks, Manchester City was afraid of the attack. In the end, the "Blue Moon" finally drank 1:3 at home!
Chapter completed!