FA cup press conference

The press room was packed, the energy almost as electrifying as it had been on the pitch. Derby County's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace had turned the football world on its head, and everyone wanted to hear from the night's key figures.

At the table sat Wayne Rooney, Curtis Davies, and David Jones for Derby County. To their left were Crystal Palace representatives: manager Roy Hodgson, Luka Milivojević, and defender Gary Cahill.

The questions began predictably, with reporters throwing softballs to both managers. Rooney spoke confidently about Derby's game plan, emphasizing the team's discipline and David's extraordinary contribution. Hodgson, while professional, couldn't entirely hide his frustration at the result.

Then the attention shifted to the players.

"David," one reporter asked, leaning forward eagerly, "first of all, happy birthday. How does it feel to score the winning goal on a night like this, especially against a Premier League side?"

David leaned into the microphone, his voice steady but filled with pride. "Thank you. It feels amazing. To play against a team as good as Crystal Palace and to contribute to the win on my birthday is something I'll never forget. But it wasn't just me—it was a team effort."

The room buzzed with approval at his humble response. Hodgson nodded slightly, though Luka's expression remained stony.

Another reporter addressed Luka directly. "Luka, your sending-off was a pivotal moment in the game. What's your perspective on it? Do you think David's actions influenced the referee's decision?"

Luka's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone measured, though the anger simmered beneath the surface. "Look, it's football. Emotions run high. But I think there's a line, and some players"—he glanced at David—"need to learn where that line is."

The room went quiet, all eyes turning to David, who showed no sign of being rattled.

"David," another reporter pressed, "what's your response to that?"

David met Luka's gaze briefly before addressing the room. "What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. The referee made his decision, and we played on. My job is to focus on my game and help my team. That's what I did."

The tension in the room was palpable, but David's calm response only seemed to frustrate Luka more.

Roy Hodgson stepped in, his tone firm but diplomatic. "Luka is a passionate player, and I think we can all agree tonight's result was disappointing for us. But credit where it's due—David was outstanding. He's a talent we'll all be keeping an eye on in the future."

Rooney nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Roy. And for what it's worth, Luka's a fantastic player. Tonight was just one of those nights where emotions got the better of us all."

The mood in the room lightened slightly, and the questions moved on to tactical analyses and future fixtures.

As the press conference wrapped up, Rooney leaned over to David. "You handled that perfectly. A lot of players would've taken the bait, but you didn't."

David shrugged, his confidence unwavering. "It's not worth it. I just play my game."

When they stepped outside, David's phone buzzed with a message from his mom:

"Happy Birthday, my incredible son. Watching you tonight, I was reminded of every moment we've shared—every practice, every setback, every victory. You've made us so proud, David. You're a gift to this family and now to the world. Love you more than words can say—Mom."

David smiled, a warm sense of accomplishment washing over him. He quickly replied: "Thanks, Mom. Love you too."

As they walked toward the team bus, Luka caught up with him, stopping him with a firm hand on the shoulder.

"Kid," Luka said, his tone less confrontational now, "you're good. I'll give you that. But don't let all this attention go to your head. Football has a way of humbling people."

David met his gaze, unwavering. "I know. But I also know what I'm capable of. See you next time, Luka."

Luka gave a small nod, perhaps grudging respect in his eyes, before walking away.

David turned back toward Rooney and Curtis, his confidence growing with each step. Tonight wasn't just the start of a promising career—it was the beginning of something much bigger.