First match after International Break is Always Hard

BlueMoonForever @City4Life

"Kenneth Lee has scored 17 goals and 11 assists in 15 matches. It's just ridiculous."

7:25 PM · Apr 1, 2015 · 15K views

JamesBlues @James7Hamilton

"If he can maintain this form, he'll definitely reach Messi and Ronaldo's level. Abramovich should try bringing him to Stamford Bridge."

8:37 PM · Apr 1, 2015 · 30K views

PremierLeagueBuzz @PLBuzz

"2 goals and 2 assists in 2 appearances for England, just wonderful. We must ensure this boy fulfills his potential."

9:40 PM · Apr 1, 2015 · 100K views

Kenneth's performance received widespread praise from England's football fans. While he wasn't the standout player in those two matches, his young age and consistent displays left many convinced of the 16-year-old's immense talent.

Kenneth, however, had grown accustomed to briefly skimming through such compliments before ignoring them.

"I feel like I didn't play that well against Italy," he murmured to himself. "My first goal only happened because Harry Kane won the duel and gave me a perfect pass. As for the assist to Townsend, that was even easier—he did all the work for the second goal."

Steven, who was driving the car, glanced at Kenneth and said, "You're only 16. People's expectations for you are low, which is why they praise you even for a decent performance. Look at Ronaldo and Messi—expectations for them are sky-high. If they don't win the Champions League in a single season, the haters are all over them."

"You're right," Kenneth replied. "By the way, how's your progress? Did you manage to become the agent for those young players I recommended?"

"Well, I've spoken to Haaland's father. We agreed to monitor Haaland's development for now. Oh, and guess what—I'm now the agent of your best friend."

"Who?"

"Pablo Maffeo. I met him a while back, and as soon as I mentioned I'm your agent, he immediately asked me to represent him."

Kenneth paused for a moment. With Steven as Maffeo's agent, his friend's career path could turn out differently from what Kenneth remembered.

"Well, if you can help him get into Argentina's squad early, he could become a valuable asset," Kenneth said.

Given Maffeo's level, competing for a spot in Spain's national team was unlikely. It would be better to secure a place in Argentina's squad and gain some recognition, making him attractive to top-tier clubs.

"I'll keep that in mind," Steven replied.

Steven then asked, "By the way, have you practiced that new signature of yours?"

Kenneth tore a page from his notebook, grabbed a pen, and signed the scrap of paper.

"Done. Pretty good, isn't it?" he said, showing the signature to Steven.

"Not the best I've seen, but it's decent," Steven said with a nod.

A few moments later, they arrived at Kenneth's house. Steven parked the car.

"We're here. You can hop out now."

"Aren't you coming in, Uncle?" Kenneth asked.

Steven shook his head. "I've got a lot to handle. See you later."

"See you," Kenneth replied.

Finally, Kenneth returned home after his trip to Italy.

He was given two days off—his reward after the matches in Italy. He received confirmation of this from a message sent by Ruben Cousillas.

Of course, Kenneth would use this time to continue studying while resting. With his commitment to pursuing A-level studies, Kenneth had to accept spending much of his downtime studying.

Although tiring, he had no regrets. For Kenneth, studying was much like playing football—exhausting but not unpleasant. He didn't hate learning; in fact, he enjoyed the process.

On April 3, Kenneth rejoined Manchester City's first team.

On April 6, Kenneth and his teammates traveled to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace.

Since Alan Pardew took over, Crystal Palace had shown a significant improvement in form. They had won eight matches, drawn one, and lost four. Their recent victories against Queens Park Rangers at Selhurst Park and Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium underlined their resurgence.

This improvement signaled that the game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park would not be an easy one.

Crystal Palace's starting lineup: Julian Speroni; Joel Ward, Scott Dann, Damian Delaney, Martin Kelly; Wilfried Zaha, Joe Ledley, James McArthur, Jason Puncheon, Yannick Bolasie; Glenn Murray.

Crystal Palace's wingers, Zaha and Bolasie, were particularly dangerous, capable of playing on either flank. Zaha, in particular, had scored in their last two matches. Glenn Murray was also enjoying a resurgence in form under Pardew's management.

Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini opted for his familiar 4-4-2 formation with Aguero and Dzeko leading the line.

Manchester City's starting lineup: Joe Hart; Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis, Gael Clichy; Jesus Navas, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, David Silva; Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko.

From the kickoff, Manchester City dominated possession—but that seemed to be Crystal Palace's plan.

The hosts focused on defending, allowing City to control the ball. Despite their dominance in possession, City struggled to find the net. Crystal Palace's compact defense frustrated Navas, Silva, and Yaya Toure, making it difficult to feed the strikers.

As a result, City resorted to long-range shots, but most were either off-target or blocked by Palace defenders.

City also won a few corners, but set pieces were not their strong suit, and these opportunities came to nothing. Set pieces would have been their best chance to break down a team sitting deep defensively.

By the 15th minute, City remained goalless, while Palace began to grow into the game, launching several counterattacks.

In the 32nd minute, a pass from Navas to Aguero was intercepted by Delaney, who quickly passed the ball to Joe Ledley. Ledley turned and surged forward, spotting Bolasie's run and sending a through ball into his path.

Bolasie raced to the ball, with Clichy chasing him desperately. Bolasie reached the ball first and delivered a cross into the space ahead of Glenn Murray. Murray struck the ball toward goal, but Demichelis made a crucial tackle to block the shot.

Crystal Palace earned a corner. Puncheon stepped up to take it as Palace players crowded the center of City's penalty area.

After signaling to his teammates, Puncheon curled the ball into the box with his left foot.

Kompany headed the ball clear, and Fernandinho booted it further away from City's goal. However, the ball landed at the feet of Joel Ward. Ward sent it back into City's defensive third, where Joe Ledley headed it into the penalty area.

Scott Dann chased the ball and struck it toward goal from the right side with his right foot. Joe Hart made the save but could only parry it into the path of Glenn Murray, who calmly tapped it into the net. Over 20,000 Crystal Palace fans erupted in celebration at Selhurst Park.

The goal spurred City into action as they pushed for an equalizer, but they conceded again late in the first half. Fernandinho fouled Murray, giving Palace a free kick just outside the penalty area. Puncheon stepped up and expertly curled the ball into the bottom left corner of Hart's goal.

Crystal Palace 2-0 Manchester City.