Chapter 391: Defending the Premier League Title and Meeting James (Transitional Chapter)

Chapter 391: Defending the Premier League Title and Meeting James (Transitional Chapter)

On May 24, the final round of the Premier League began. Manchester City faced Southampton at home. Due to Chelsea's unexpected loss to West Bromwich Albion in the previous round, Manchester City secured the title a game early. Thus, before the game began, FA officials brought the league championship trophy to the Etihad Stadium, ready to award it to Manchester City after the match.

In other words, regardless of how Manchester City played, it wouldn't affect their championship outcome. Therefore, Guardiola continued to rotate his main players, once again fielding a lot of substitutes and rotation players. Veterans Yaya Touré, Lampard, and Demichelis, who were about to leave the team, were given starting roles.

Lampard continued his excellent form from the last game, opening the scoring in the 38th minute of the first half, giving Manchester City the lead. Substitute Agüero scored the second goal in the 88th minute, sealing a 2-0 victory for Manchester City at home, capping off a perfect season.

After the match, the staff quickly began setting up the award platform for the ceremony. When the Manchester City players returned to the field in new jerseys, the platform was almost ready. FA officials stood around the podium with the trophy, smiling and shaking hands with the lined-up Manchester City players.

This was Manchester City's third Premier League title. Since their miraculous first title win in the 2011-2012 season, they had quietly amassed three league titles in four years, finishing as runners-up in the one year they didn't win. Such outstanding achievements made the world realize that a new giant was rising, one that might dominate the Premier League like Manchester United once did. However, what outsiders didn't know was that Manchester City's ambitions went beyond just league titles. Their goal was to become one of the top teams in Europe, like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern. To achieve this, they needed more Champions League titles.

While Manchester City celebrated their home championship, other traditional Premier League giants had a tough time. At Britannia Stadium in Stoke City, after the match, Liverpool legend Gerrard, who had served the team for nearly 20 years, sighed as he looked at the 6-1 scoreline. This was his last game in Liverpool's red jersey. He had hoped for a victory farewell, but a disjointed Liverpool had collapsed in the first half. From the 22nd minute, when Stoke City scored the first goal, to the end of the half, Stoke City scored five consecutive goals, stunning Liverpool. Although Liverpool fought back in the second half, with Gerrard scoring a goal himself, it was too late. In the final moments, Peter Crouch's header sealed Liverpool's fate in Gerrard's farewell match, turning it into a tragic end.

At the Emirates Stadium, another fallen giant, Arsenal, had a different experience. At the end of the match, Wenger clenched his fist and couldn't help but wave it. Walcott finally exploded in this match, scoring a hat-trick in the first half, showcasing his talent. Alongside Walcott, Wilshere and others also performed well. Winning this match secured Arsenal third place in the league. The "Fourth-Place Specialist" not only succeeded in securing fourth but improved their position, meaning they wouldn't have to play in the Champions League qualifiers next year.

Additionally, Wenger was excited that they were about to play the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. With Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, and other giants eliminated, their opponent was the relatively weaker Aston Villa. This was Arsenal's best chance in 11 years. If they could beat Aston Villa, they would end their 11-year trophy drought. Wenger could almost see the FA Cup trophy beckoning to him, making him both excited and thrilled.

At Hull City's home ground, Manchester United, who had spent heavily on signings at the start of the season, ended their season with a chaotic and poor performance. Initially declaring they would avenge Manchester City and reclaim the Premier League throne, they finished in fourth place. Although slightly better than last year, allowing them to play in the Champions League next year, the expensive signings yielded only this result, which was far from satisfactory. Di María, who joined for €75 million but underperformed, was naturally the biggest target of criticism. He was substituted after just 23 minutes in this match. The cold, damp weather and the rough fouls of the Premier League affected his performance. Di María deeply regretted joining Manchester United and missed his days in Madrid. He decided to submit a transfer request to leave Manchester United, willing to go anywhere as long as it wasn't another Premier League team.

Di María wasn't the only one leaving. After the match, Manchester United's board couldn't wait to announce Van Gaal's dismissal, telling the Dutchman to pack his bags and leave. After sacking Van Gaal, Manchester United immediately invited Mourinho, who was without a job. Mourinho didn't hesitate and accepted the invitation, quickly signing with the club. No one would have guessed that Mourinho, who once clashed with Ferguson in the league, would one day become Manchester United's manager.

The noise outside didn't concern Manchester City. After the league ended, Guardiola gave the players three days off to rest and share the joy of winning with their families and friends. After the break, Manchester City would regroup to prepare for the Champions League final on June 7.

During the rare break, Lin Quan didn't want to stay home and endure Manchester's cold, damp weather. He bought a ticket to the United States to visit Lily Collins. Lily was surprised by Lin Quan's sudden visit. She had just watched Manchester City's match the previous day and saw Lin Quan lift the championship trophy with his teammates. She didn't expect him to show up at her doorstep the next day. The two, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, were like dry wood meeting fire.

On May 27, in Cleveland, the NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 was held, with the Cavaliers facing the Hawks at home. With the Cavaliers leading 3-0, they had a chance to sweep their opponents and advance to the NBA Finals with a win. As a result, countless Cavaliers fans flocked to the small city of Cleveland, filling the arena. Before the game, fans spotted two familiar faces among the 20,000 attendees.

"Isn't that Lin Quan from the Premier League? What's he doing at an NBA game?" "Who's that girl next to him? She looks like Audrey Hepburn!" "I know her! She's Lily Collins, Lin Quan's girlfriend!" "Yeah, I remember her. She watched Lin Quan's game before."

People soon recalled Lily Collins' previous appearances at Lin Quan's matches.

"Wow, Lin Quan has it all: honors, money, and women. I'm so jealous!" "But he's not as good as Ronaldo. Ronaldo changes girlfriends as often as he changes clothes, and they're all supermodels!"

Inside the arena, Lin Quan and Lily Collins couldn't see the online discussions. The game hadn't started yet, and they were quietly discussing something.

"Who do you think will win?" Lily Collins asked, testing him a bit. Having studied in the US, she watched basketball more than football and knew a bit about the sport. She doubted Lin Quan, a football player, knew much about basketball.

"The Cavaliers. The Hawks can't contain LeBron, especially after his triple-double in Game 3. The Hawks' players look tense and serious, while the Cavaliers are relaxed." Lin Quan occasionally watched basketball, despite his height, and remembered the Cavaliers sweeping the Hawks and then losing to the Warriors in the finals.

Lily Collins also favored the Cavaliers but knew that a 4-0 sweep was rare in Eastern Conference Finals. Even if the Cavaliers were strong, shutting out the Hawks was tough, especially since the Hawks had a better regular-season record.

However, the game was one-sided. By the end of the first quarter, the Cavaliers led by 12 points. In the second quarter, they extended the lead to 17 points. By the end of the third quarter, the score was 85-60, with the Cavaliers leading by 25 points. The fourth quarter was garbage time, and the Hawks couldn't perform a miracle, losing 118-88 to the Cavaliers.

After the game, Cavaliers fans were ecstatic about reaching the Finals again, aiming for their first championship in history. Many fans recognized Lin Quan and sought his autograph. Although football isn't the most popular sport in North America, many people still watched it, and Lin Quan, as a football superstar, had high recognition there.

Since there were too many people leaving, making it hard to exit, Lin Quan patiently signed autographs for the North American fans. Meanwhile, LeBron James, the game's MVP, was also surrounded by fans for autographs. Enjoying the respect and adoration, James remembered his betrayal of Cleveland in pursuit of a championship and his concern about not being forgiven by Cavaliers fans. Fortunately, his fears were unfounded, especially after leading the Cavaliers to the Finals again, becoming a hero in Cleveland once more.

But as James signed autographs, he noticed something strange. Why were there fewer fans around him? He should have been surrounded. Curious, he looked around and quickly spotted Lin Quan in the crowd.

"Who is that attracting so many fans?" James wondered as he walked over and recognized Lin Quan.

"Are you Lin?" James asked. Though not as passionate about football as Kobe, James still followed the world's top sport closely. He had even invested in Liverpool a few years ago, earning substantial returns. Watching Premier League games frequently, James recognized Lin Quan immediately.

Lin Quan noticed James approaching and greeted him.

"Hi, LeBron. Congratulations on your win!" "Thanks! And congratulations on your league title!"

Though they weren't close, as superstars in football and basketball, they had a mutual respect. James warmly showed Lin Quan around the Cavaliers' training facilities, locker room, and honor room, gifting him a signed basketball and jersey. Lin Quan reciprocated with a signed jersey and football.

After the tour, James invited Lin Quan: "Lin, here's a ticket to the Finals. I hope to see you there again!"

NBA Finals games can drag on for weeks, unlike football's single decisive match.

"Sure, I'll come if I can. Best of luck to you and your team in winning the championship!" Lin Quan replied.

"Thanks! I also wish you success in defending your Champions League title!" James laughed heartily, brimming with confidence.

Watching James' confident demeanor, Lin Quan couldn't help but feel for him. The Warriors wouldn't be easy opponents, and James might face disappointment. But that wasn't his concern; he needed to seize his own opportunities. After a photo together, they parted ways, each returning to their respective stages.

Lin Quan didn't stay in North America for long. After the three-day break, he returned to Manchester to prepare for the Champions League final in ten days.

(End of Chapter)

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