"David Jones with a fantastic strike! The young star makes his mark early on!" the commentator's voice echoed across the stadium.
The Derby fans erupted in joy, and David's teammates rushed over to celebrate with him. Wayne Rooney, the player-coach, was the first to clap him on the back, a proud smile on his face.
"You're playing with real confidence today, David," Wayne said, his voice low but encouraging. "Keep that up, lad."
David nodded, his focus still razor-sharp. The game was far from over.
As the match went on, David continued to show his quality. His dribbling was precise, his speed was unmatchable, and his vision was flawless. He danced around defenders like they were standing still. He made another brilliant run in the 20th minute, pushing past Ryan Tafazolli, only for his shot to be saved by Long. It was close, but not quite the finish he was looking for. Still, it showed that he was on fire today.
The first half was winding down when David received the ball from Wayne Rooney just outside the box. With a flick of the foot, he made a perfect pass to Wayne, who had drifted into space. Without hesitation, Wayne fed the ball back to David, who had made a quick run toward the goal. As the defense scrambled to catch up, David took a brilliant touch with his right foot, then, in a moment of pure genius, he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper's head.
The stadium went wild. The ball floated gracefully into the net, and David ran to the corner flag, pumping his fist in the air. It was his second goal of the match—a beautiful chip that left the crowd in awe.
"Two goals in the first half, both brilliant! David Jones is putting on a show today!" The commentator's voice was filled with excitement.
Back in the locker room during the halftime break, the praise came pouring in. His teammates were buzzing with excitement.
"You've been unstoppable, mate," Jason Knight said, clapping him on the back. "Those first two goals? Incredible."
Wayne gave him a nod of approval. "That's the kind of composure we need. You've shown what you're capable of today."
David felt the rush of confidence as he sat down and caught his breath. He had no time to relax, though. The second half was just as important, and he knew Hull City would come out with more intensity.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Trevor and his brother were glued to the action. Trevor was beaming with pride as he watched the young wonderkid deliver on the promise he had shown.
"I told you," Trevor said to his brother, a confident grin on his face. "He's the future. Look at him go. That second goal? Pure class."
His brother raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think you were sold on him a few weeks ago. You were still unsure."
Trevor chuckled. "Yeah, I was wrong. The kid's got it. You can see it. He's the real deal."
As the second half kicked off, David picked up right where he left off. In the 55th minute, he made a brilliant run down the right wing. He used his quick feet to glide past a defender and squared the ball to Martyn Waghorn, who was making a clever run into the box. Martyn made no mistake, finishing with a calm strike to put Derby County up 3-0.
David jogged back to position, a big smile on his face. The assist was just as important as the goals. His teammates surrounded him once again, high-fiving him in recognition of his unselfish play.
With the scoreline comfortably in their favor, David's work was done for the day. In the 64th minute, he was subbed off. The crowd stood to their feet, giving him a standing ovation. David jogged off the field, waving to the fans, feeling the weight of their praise. He had proven himself, not just as a rising star, but as a player who could handle the pressure and deliver when it mattered most.
The match continued, but the game wasn't finished with its moments of brilliance just yet. In the 78th minute, Wayne Rooney, the veteran player-coach, stepped up with a goal that left everyone speechless. Outside the box, with defenders closing in, Wayne unleashed a thunderous shot. The ball flew past the defenders and into the top corner, beating Long with sheer power and precision.
The commentators were ecstatic. "What a goal from Wayne Rooney! It's a screamer from outside the box! The man is ageless!"
The match finished with a dominant 4-0 victory for Derby County. David's performance had been the standout of the day, but Wayne's stunning goal capped off an unforgettable match. As the team gathered in the locker room afterward, the mood was euphoric.
"You were exceptional today, David," Wayne said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "This is just the beginning for you."
David smiled, feeling like he was finally living up to the hype. The pressure, the doubts—they all felt miles away. In that moment, he knew one thing for sure: he was ready for whatever came next.