When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 240 Mourinho's rotation creates a dangerous situation, the Demon King's blizzard resolves the crisis.
On February 12, 2005, Chelsea returned to London after a resounding victory over Everton.

After resting, the players went to a local bar to celebrate.

Head coach Mourinho went straight home to rest, but was woken up in the early hours by an urgent phone call: striker Gudjohnsen had been arrested by London police for drunk driving.

According to police records, at 5:20 a.m. that day, a patrol car spotted a BMW sports car driving erratically in southwest London.

After the £7 luxury car was stopped, police discovered that the driver was Chelsea's Icelandic star. Following an on-site breathalyzer test, Gudjohnsen was suspected of driving under the influence and was subsequently taken to the Southern Police Station.

There, he underwent more detailed breathing and blood tests.

Although Goodjohnsen was subsequently granted bail, police made it clear that he must undergo further investigation at the end of March.

Speeding is only a superficial reason; the charge of drunk driving is essentially confirmed.

This news infuriated Mourinho, especially since the team had just achieved a crucial victory when this scandal broke out.

Fortunately, the drunk driving charge will not affect Gudjohnsen's eligibility to play.

Under British law, he would only need to pay a fine at most to settle the matter.

But this incident undoubtedly worsened his reputation, especially since he had been embroiled in a gambling scandal involving Chelsea just six months prior.

In October 2004, British media revealed that there was a "gambling quartet" in the team, whose members included Terry, Bridge, Parker, and Goodjohnson.

They often gamble big at betting stations, with single bets often reaching tens of thousands of pounds.

At the time, Goodjohnsen admitted that although he was not good at gambling, he was addicted to it.

He estimated that he had lost more than £40 in gambling alone.

Now, just six months later, he's embroiled in another drunk driving scandal. It seems this Icelandic striker has more negative off-field news than goals on the field.

As Terry was embroiled in a series of scandals involving gambling and prostitution, Mourinho became increasingly determined to appoint Roy as captain.

In the past, Mourinho had considered following the model of the French national team, allowing veteran players like Terry to continue as captain, while Roy served as the tactical core, with the two jointly controlling the locker room.

But in that Everton match, Roy's passionate speech at halftime, his ability to mobilize the whole team, and his hat-trick in the second half completely dispelled Mourinho's concerns.

In his view now, not handing the captain's armband to Roy would be a truly foolish decision.

On February 13, Juventus, who were mired in two consecutive defeats and had not scored a single goal, faced a tough battle against Udinese.

The match started with an amazing moment when Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in just 36 seconds.

With Nedved sidelined due to injury, Deschamps risked fielding a three-striker formation, but Trezeguet was in poor form, and Del Piero was practically sleepwalking.

The hopes of the entire team rested on Ibrahimovic's shoulders. Udinese launched a blind long pass after kickoff, sending it out of bounds. Buffon quickly passed the ball to Cannavaro.

A precise long pass from the Italian defender near the halfway line pierced the gap between Sensini and Filipe's defense. Ibrahimovic, with his back to Sensini, suddenly turned and accelerated, instantly shaking off the double-team.

Facing the onrushing De Santis, the Swede calmly slotted the ball home.

From the kickoff to the goal, only 36 seconds had passed on the clock. The fans in the stands hadn't even settled in before witnessing this lightning-fast goal.

Tuttosport ran the headline "Ibrahimovic is destined to be a top scorer, he will be a landmark figure for Juventus" in its report.

After Zlatan Ibrahimovic's lightning strike against Udinese in 36 seconds, the entire city of Turin was asking the same question: Will the 24-year-old Swedish striker become Juventus' next epoch-making superstar?
His 10 league goals in his debut season have already surpassed Vieri's record of 8 goals in the same period at Juventus in the 1996-97 season.

What's even more astonishing is that he's not a traditional penalty area killer. Standing at 1.95 meters tall, Ibrahimovic can both crush the defense like a Viking and deliver a fatal blow with the delicate technique of a ballerina.

"He combined Boniperti's elegance with Trezeguet's efficiency," legend Tacconi commented.

Deschamps bluntly stated: "Zlatan has a Platini-esque dominance, but he's only just getting started."

Right now, a newly composed cheering song has begun to be sung in the south stand of the Stadio delle Alpi: "The Nordic storm is destroying the Apennines!"

If he maintains this momentum, Ibrahimovic might actually end the leadership vacuum in Juventus' "post-Del Piero era" and start his own black and white dynasty.

Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic's current individual statistics are far less dazzling than those of Juan Roy, Tuttosport points out that the Swedish striker may be the most promising young talent in European football to rival Roy. His talent is already evident; at 1.95 meters tall, he possesses exquisite technique comparable to a shorter player, and his creativity when receiving the ball with his back to goal is reminiscent of Dennis Bergkamp in his prime. While his efficiency still needs refinement, his unpredictable goal-scoring style shares similarities with Roy's dominance.

They believe that 24-year-old Ibrahimovic and 20-year-old Roy are on the same starting line, and this "marathon of geniuses" spanning the Apennines and England has only just begun.

When asked about the comparison between Ibrahimovic and Roy, then-Juventus manager Didier Deschamps cautiously avoided a direct comparison.

The coach who led Monaco to a treble last season and personally nurtured Roy, who scored a staggering 45 goals in a single season, clearly understands the qualities of both talents.

"Zlatan is a rare talent in contemporary football."

When speaking to the media, Deschamps commented: "He has the physique of a center forward, the technique of a winger, and the imagination of a number 10."

When pressed on whether he believed the Swede could rival his protégé Roy, the French coach simply smiled knowingly: "Every great player is unique. My job at Monaco was merely to help Roy unleash his talent, and now, Zlatan needs to focus on himself."

On Valentine's Day 2005, British media released a list of the ten most talked-about celebrity couples of the year, and the results surprised many.

Prince Charles and Camilla topped the list, with the royal couple, who have experienced many ups and downs, winning the title due to their high level of public attention.

The runner-up is Chelsea star Roy and Girls Aloud member Cheryl. This "football golden boy and music beauty" couple has been dominating headlines ever since their relationship was revealed.

Third place went to adult film host Jordan and singer Pete Andrew.

Surprisingly, the Beckhams failed to make the top ten, while Manchester United's rising star Wayne Rooney and his girlfriend Coleen ranked seventh, which is seen as a symbol of the new generation of players surpassing their predecessors in popularity.

Other couples on the list include actors Jude Law and Sienna Miller, Britney Spears and her husband Kevin Federline, Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz, and other popular celebrities.

This list reflects both the changing tastes of the British public and the rising social influence of football stars.

Two football couples were among the top ten, with Roy and Cheryl even surpassing many entertainment stars to rank second.

According to The Sun, Roy planned a lavish and romantic Valentine's Day date for Cheryl.

That day, the couple took a private helicopter to the famous White Cliffs of Dover, where they both wore classic British hunting attire and enjoyed lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the English Channel.

In the evening, Roy took Cheryl to the historic Glover House.

As a surprise, he presented her with a champagne-colored silk gown designed by Dior designer John Galliano, a haute couture evening gown worth over £15.

Hello! magazine obtained the exclusive rights to photograph this date, and in the published photos, Cheryl is wearing that gorgeous dress, her face beaming with an undisguised smile of happiness.

According to sources, Roy specifically requested that an antique Victorian brooch be added to Cheryl's dress belt, a detail that deeply moved her.

However, from the perspective of star player spending, Roy's £15 purchase of this dress for Cheryl is actually a fairly rational investment.

Firstly, in terms of financial ability, Roy's weekly salary at the time was as high as £12, and this expenditure was equivalent to less than two weeks' income for him.

To give an example, it's as easy as a white-collar worker with a monthly salary of 1 yuan spending 2000 yuan to buy a handbag.

Secondly, this shopping trip brought tremendous exposure value.

The exclusive report by Hello! magazine was essentially free advertising for Dior. As a Dior ambassador, Dior covered all the costs through sponsorship and paid an additional £15 as a collaboration fee.

It's worth noting that advertising in such top fashion magazines can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds per issue.

In fact, Roy successfully executed a shrewd business operation through this Valentine's Day campaign.

His expenditure of £15 on the Dior dress was completely covered by the £25 exclusive coverage fee paid by Hello! magazine and the £15 brand collaboration fee provided by Dior, ultimately resulting in not only zero cost but also a net profit of £40.

Roy spent the off-season meticulously upgrading his image, transforming from a "football superstar" into an elite individual with fashionable taste.

This Valentine's Day marketing campaign was a perfect example. The romantic date he planned not only graced the cover of "Hello!", but the Dior haute couture gown he gifted her was also named "Best Dressed for Valentine's Day" by "Vogue", earning Cheryl professional recognition in the fashion world.

This cross-industry collaboration not only maintained exposure during the off-season but also successfully expanded the boundaries of commercial value.

British female fans will be even more loyal. The "doting boyfriend" gesture of giving away a £150,000 dress makes young women feel that he is "someone else's boyfriend" and they are willing to buy his merchandise.

Although his romantic history is utterly untenable (his first two relationships didn't even last a year), it is precisely this "seemingly shifting but actually short-lived" quality that can stimulate the fantasies of female fans.

Many female fans envied Cheryl for receiving such an expensive gift, while secretly thinking, "At the rate he changes girlfriends, I might be the one making headlines next Valentine's Day."

This ambiguous "boyfriend vibe" actually makes fans more engaged.

After all, the fantasy of always being just one step away from a relationship is more intoxicating than a real, stable one.

The essence of a luxury-like romance is: it doesn't matter if you can't afford it, the important thing is to make you feel like you "have a chance".

The wealthy, and even the old money class, are drawn to Roy's association with big brands like Dior and Vogue, seeing him as different from some football stars, not a "nouveau riche footballer," and are willing to accept his endorsements of luxury watches and cars.

High school students thought he was incredibly cool. Young fans discovered that their idol could not only score goals, but also appear in fashion magazines and date celebrity girlfriends, which was even more exciting than the success stories in textbooks.

In this way, everyone from star-struck teenage girls to the elite class, and even young boys in school, became his potential cash cows.

In the luxurious suite of Glover Villa, Roy stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the dark courtyard outside.

The room was filled with antique furniture, the firewood in the fireplace crackled, and the lights were dim.

Cheryl, dressed in a smooth silk robe, walked over, handed Roy a glass of red wine, and then wrapped herself around him from behind like a snake, her slender arms around his neck and her soft body pressed against his back.

The two clinked glasses lightly, and Roy suddenly asked, "Do you still envy Victoria?"

Cheryl pressed her face against his back and whispered, "No, never."

"why?"

"You're much better than Beckham."

Roy raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Of course."

Cheryl's soft lips kissed his neck.

Then Roy mentioned that he would take her to Paris the next day for Ronaldo's engagement party at the castle.

Clearly, with Roy by her side, Cheryl doesn't need to worry about exposure at all; the social circles of top stars will naturally bring the spotlight to her.

On February 15, 2005, the day after Valentine's Day, football superstar Ronaldo hosted a lavish engagement party for his model fiancée at the Château de Chantilly outside Paris.

One after another, luxury cars, under tight security, drove from the city to the castle in the suburbs.

Among them were Real Madrid superstars such as Beckham, Zidane, and Carlos.

Reporters at the scene confirmed that prominent figures present included Portuguese football star Figo and renowned Italian fashion designer Valentino.

Chelsea's French star Roy also attended the event with his girlfriend Cheryl.

As the guests were all high-profile figures, a large number of fans gathered outside the castle, including some who had come all the way from Brazil, waving their national flags and waiting in the cold wind.

The engagement party, held at the Château de Chantilly outside Paris, was a top-tier event in both the football and fashion worlds.

This 600-year-old castle is quite remarkable, housing thousands of famous paintings and precious manuscripts, with rental fees starting at 2 euros per day.

The floral arrangements alone cost 7 euros, the bride Cicarelli's Valentino wedding dress was worth 7 euros, and the Tiffany diamond ring given by Ronaldo was even more priceless.

All guests had to walk along a cobblestone avenue to enter the main venue, which was crowded with reporters and fans, but security was so tight that it was impossible to sneak in.

Among those present were 17 Real Madrid teammates, former Inter Milan president Moratti, Barcelona vice president Rosell and his wife, and friends from the European and American fashion circles invited by the bride, totaling more than 200 people.

Fat Brazilian DJ performed live, and the entire castle was brightly lit.

Roy, accompanied by Cheryl who was dressed in Dior haute couture, went to congratulate Ronaldo and his wife.

He then chatted with football legends like Zidane and Beckham.

These seemingly casual social interactions became headlines in major newspapers the next day, because for star athletes, every shot in such occasions represents intangible commercial value.

Moratti gazed at the spirited young man before him, his eyes filled with complex emotions and感慨.

Two years ago, when he was in charge of Inter Milan, he regarded Roy as a key piece in rebuilding the dynasty and strongly advocated for the signing of this French star.

Unfortunately, Roy ultimately chose to stay at Monaco, and Moratti also left his position as Inter Milan president in disappointment not long after.

Time has passed, and now Roy is a double winner of the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, and led his team to a treble last season.

Moratti couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly. This young man, whom he had once spotted at a glance, certainly had the potential to become the cornerstone of Inter Milan's revival.

This was perhaps his most accurate transfer decision during his time at the helm of Inter Milan, but unfortunately, it didn't come to fruition.

When the two clinked glasses, Moratti patted Roy on the shoulder without saying anything.

But hidden in that sigh was a football fan's deepest regret: some perfect pieces are destined to be missed.

Barcelona vice president Rosell stared at Roy from a distance, his expression not looking good.

Roy's harsh words from a few months ago, "I will never join Barcelona," have already taken root in the hearts of Catalan fans.

Even more coincidentally, Chelsea will play a Champions League knockout match at Camp Nou in eight days.

The entire Barcelona team is now eager to teach this arrogant Frenchman a lesson at their home stadium.

This match is no longer just a simple competition; it's a matter of the club's reputation.

On February 18, Chelsea held an open training day, and by 9:2 a.m., nearly 4000 fans had already crowded outside the training ground.

Chelsea face a double challenge this week: first, an FA Cup match against Newcastle, followed by a tough Champions League game away against Barcelona.

But Mourinho brought bad news: "Drogba has a thigh injury and will definitely miss the weekend, so Wednesday's game is also in doubt."

Robben, the speedy winger, is also sidelined.

Facing the media, Mourinho stated frankly: "The team will play with a different lineup. The system is still the same, but we need to bring on a few players to try out new tactics."

Mourinho has no choice but to address the attacking crisis, with Gudjohnsen temporarily sidelined due to a drunk driving scandal, and new signing Morientes potentially stepping in to fill the void.

This Spanish striker was a force to be reckoned with last season when he partnered with Roy at Monaco, with the two scoring a combined 29 goals (17 by Roy and 12 by Morientes), making them one of the most formidable attacking duos in Europe.

Now that these two old partners have reunited, everyone is eagerly waiting to see what happens.

Can they tear apart the opponent's defense like they did last season at Monaco?

On February 20, 2005, in the fifth round of the FA Cup, Chelsea braved the wind and rain to arrive in Newcastle.

At 3 p.m., crowds had already gathered outside St. James' Stadium. Dark clouds pressed down on the waves, and a cold wind lashed people's faces with snowflakes, but this could not dampen the enthusiasm of Newcastle fans.

Wrapped in black and white scarves, they chanted the names of team heroes like Shearer and Dyer, roaring cheers as they pushed their way into the stadium, the whole street echoing with shouts of "Toon Army" (a self-proclaimed name of Newcastle die-hards).

Newcastle United is the soul of this industrial city, flowing in the blood of its people like the River Tyne.

St. James' Park stands in the heart of the city, and on game days, the entire city is draped in black and white stripes. From dockworkers to university professors, everyone goes crazy for the "Magpies."

The fans here are the most passionate in the Premier League; they turn football into a faith with beer, songs, and an undying passion.

When 50,000 people sing "Local Hero" in unison, you'll understand: in Newcastle, football is never just a game, but a life-giving ritual for the entire city.

Nineteen-year-old James Milner stood in the Newcastle dressing room as manager Graeme Souness gave the team tactical instructions in his thick Scottish accent.

Nigerian defender Babayaro, who joined during the winter transfer window, occasionally adds his own comments, while French center-back Boumsong, whose teammate on the French national team is Chelsea's star player Roy, also offers his opinions.

The atmosphere in the locker room was quite tense, with everyone listening intently to the coach's instructions.

Milner was a promising star developed through Leeds United's youth academy. This season, Newcastle United spent £500 million to bring him to St. James' Park, a considerable transfer fee for a young player at the time.

The competition started as scheduled at 5:00 PM.

Despite the heavy snow accumulation on the pitch before the match, which could have potentially affected the game, Newcastle United staff completed the field clearing work in a timely manner.

The current situation is quite unfavorable for Chelsea.

The team's defensive linchpin Terry, winger Robben, and attacking pillar Drogba are all out due to injury.

With a crucial Champions League match against Barcelona next week, Chelsea are under immense pressure from their schedule.

In this situation, manager Mourinho made a risky tactical decision: to field a large number of reserve players in the FA Cup away game against Newcastle.

Chelsea rotated six of their key players.

This arrangement was clearly inspired by the successful rotation in the previous round against Birmingham. The team hopes to both secure qualification and give key players a rest.

Roy continued to serve as the on-field captain, but he led a team composed of a mix of starters and substitutes.

Newcastle manager Graeme Souness looked at Geremi, who was playing as a winger on the right wing, the three midfielders Thiago Mendes and Jarosik, and Smertin, who played as the lone defensive midfielder, with Bridge at left-back and Glen Johnson at right-back.

He told his assistant coach, "Chelsea completely disregarded us. We should have crushed them, but Roy is still on the pitch."

Roy warmed up in the swirling snowflakes, rubbing his gloved hands vigorously, surrounded by the deafening roar of the St. James' Park crowd.

He turned to Morientes, who was not far away, and asked loudly, "Moro, how are you feeling?"

Morientes exhaled a puff of white breath and replied with a wry smile, "It's so cold it hurts to the bone, like being cut by a knife." As the referee's whistle pierced the biting snow, Alan Shearer gently passed the ball to Kluivert, officially starting the match.

The Newcastle legend recently announced his retirement at the end of the season, and every touch of the ball now could be his last performance in the FA Cup.

A deafening roar erupted from the stands, and the players from both sides shot into the snow-covered battlefield like arrows released from a bow.

Just four minutes into the game, Mourinho's rotated lineup paid the price.

Newcastle launched an attack from the left flank, with Jermaine Jenas receiving the ball in midfield and quickly passing it to left winger Laurent Robert.

Robert accelerated and easily shook off Glen Johnson's defense.

The right-back who came on as a substitute was clearly not in his best form; he was neither able to mark closely enough nor block crosses.

Robert crossed the ball, which arced towards the penalty area.

Kluivert cleverly circled in front of Gallas and headed the ball towards the goal before Carvalho could cover.

Although Cudicini made a desperate dive to the side, he was a beat too slow to react due to a lack of rhythm in the game, and the ball slipped past his fingertips and into the net.

Newcastle took an early 1-0 lead.

Before conceding the goal, Roy had loudly instructed his teammates on the left wing to mark their man, asking Smertin and Jarosik to provide cover, but Chelsea's rotating midfielders clearly lacked cohesion.

Despite his efforts to cover the backfield, Smerting struggled against Newcastle's rapid combination play from the wings and center.

The central defensive partnership of Gallas and Carvalho also seemed unstable, with poor communication between the two when positioning themselves defensively, giving Kluivert an opportunity to exploit.

St. James' Park erupted in celebration as Shearer and Kluivert collided in celebration, while Chelsea's players looked at each other in bewilderment.

Mourinho stood on the sidelines, his face grim.

Roy frowned and walked over to Glen Johnson, lowering his voice to question him: "Why did you rush in to tackle? You should at least block the cross after you've been tackled!"

Johnson gripped his glove tightly, then suddenly exploded: "You think I don't want to?"

His voice was filled with suppressed anger, "Not everyone can start every game like you! I've been on the bench for half a year, and now you suddenly want me to replace Maicon? Does that Brazilian even know the bench is cold?!"

Glen Johnson's Chelsea career was indeed full of ups and downs.

In 2003, at the age of 18, he joined Chelsea from West Ham United for £600 million and was regarded as a future star of England's right-back.

The media at the time compared him to Gary Neville, praising him for "possessing Neville's defensive awareness, but with the added ability of a winger to break through defenses."

However, after Maicon joined the team in 2004, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

The Brazilian quickly secured a starting position thanks to his accurate crosses and strong physique, while Johnson only made two league starts throughout the entire season.

Ironically, Mourinho once publicly commented: "Maicon is young and very talented. He will be one of the best right-backs in the world in the future."

But Maicon was born in 1981 and Glen Johnson in 1984, which was tantamount to public execution for the then 20-year-old Englishmen.

This right-back, who was once hailed by 442 magazine as "the one who will dominate the Premier League for a decade," has played less than one-fifth of Maicon's playing time.

Glen Johnson privately believes that Maicon's ability to secure a starting position is due to his good relationship with Roy. The two always communicate in Portuguese, and Roy is always exceptionally friendly to his "gang".

Roy raised an eyebrow slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips that sent chills down Glen Johnson's spine.

He told Glen Johnson, “You say not everyone can start every game like me? Because I deserve to start. Go to the streets of West London and ask anyone who should start for Chelsea, the first person who doesn’t say my name is definitely a Fulham fan. If I’m not on the list, it must be someone from Tottenham or Arsenal who snuck in. For fuck's sake! Because I’m good enough. This is not something you have the right to complain to me about. If you think you deserve to start, you should perform to push Maicon out. I respect real men, not cowards who come crying to you after conceding a goal, saying ‘Waaah, I didn’t play.’ Even a prostitute with a razor in her pocket has more guts than you. What are you trying to say? That you deserve to concede goals because you’ve been out of action? Let me tell you, you conceded goals because you were on the field. Now we don’t want to concede any more goals, you fucking figure it out.”

Chelsea players and the referee all noticed the altercation between Roy and Johnson.

Smertin, Yarosik, and Thiago, who were not fluent in English, were unable to fully understand the content of the conflict while standing to the side.

But Bridge immediately ran over and grabbed Roy. This was the first time in all his time at Chelsea that he had seen the French star use such offensive language to directly insult his teammate.

Glen Johnson, his face flushed, snapped at Roy, “Fuck you! Who the hell do you think you are? Just because you have a high salary doesn’t mean you’re superior! Stop acting like a boss!”

But Roy simply turned and left.

As Kluivert walked back to the center circle, he deliberately spoke in Spanish towards Roy's direction:

"Is the angry captain like a monkey in a cage?"

Roy said directly to Kluivert, "I don't talk to speeding rapists, so you'd better shut up. I heard U.S. Customs has blacklisted you? Is Barcelona so eager to sell you because they can't afford your bail?"

After the game restarted, Chelsea's midfield was completely dominated by Newcastle.

Roy was forced to drop back into midfield frequently to receive the ball, becoming one of the few bright spots in the Chelsea squad.

But they faced Newcastle's strong midfield pressure, the double-teaming of former Manchester United players Nicky Butt and Jenas, and the support defense from Dier and Robert.

Even with his top-notch ball control, Roy struggled to create opportunities on his own.

What's even more troublesome is that Gremi on the right wing doesn't have the same individual combat ability as Robben or Duff.

Every time he received a pass from Roy, he would choose to pass it back safely whenever a Newcastle player closed in, failing to create an effective breakthrough on the wing.

This caused Chelsea's attack to shift significantly to the left, and Roy consequently lost a key passing option.

At the same time, Morientes' weaknesses were also magnified.

Without support from the wings, his lack of running range was fully exposed, making it difficult for him to find opportunities under the marking of Newcastle center-backs Bramble and Boumsong.

Chelsea's attack stalled, relying solely on Roy's individual brilliance to create chances, but lacking any real threat.

"Looking at Chelsea's current situation is truly disheartening. Roy is almost single-handedly carrying the team's midfield. But football is ultimately a team sport, and no matter how outstanding he is, he can't overcome the collective poor performance of his teammates today."

"Mourinho's major rotation this time may come at a heavy price. Glen Johnson's defensive lapses, Geremi's hesitation, and Morientes's invisibility are all mistakes in the in-game adjustments that are putting Chelsea in trouble."

“This is no ordinary league match. The FA Cup exit means Chelsea will lose their chance to win four titles prematurely. For a team aiming to make history, this is more than just losing a trophy.”

"Roy is still trying, but look around him, there's no Duff's breakthroughs, no Robben's agility, no Lampard's late runs. This Chelsea team seems to have returned to the way it was before Mourinho's arrival, relying only on the flashes of brilliance from a few star players."

"The scoreboard at St. James' Park is a cruel reminder: 1-0. If this score holds until the final whistle, Mourinho's gamble will become the biggest tactical blunder of the season. Now it remains to be seen whether the Special One can pull off a miraculous comeback at halftime."

On the sidelines, Roy's girlfriend Cheryl gripped her hot drink cup tightly, her brow furrowed as she stared at her helpless lover on the field.

Her father and brother beside her could not hide their excitement; the two Tyneside natives had been die-hard Newcastle fans since childhood.

(Tynesides are the native inhabitants of the area along the River Tyne in northeast England, especially Newcastle and the surrounding area.)
For them, there couldn't be a more perfect script: the invincible Premier League leaders Chelsea would suffer their first defeat of the season at the hands of their beloved "Magpies," and in such a crucial knockout match as the FA Cup.

"See that? Your French boys can't handle our Jenas at all! Chelsea have really hit a brick wall today!"

"Shearer should play like this, giving Gallas some physical challenge; that's the kind of striker a real man should be watching!"

Cheryl frowned and retorted in a low voice, "Can you please stop? He's already doing his best."

This was undoubtedly something Roy didn't want to hear.

The fans around them saw this and joined in.

"Trying their best to lose? Ha! Once Shearer scores another one, they can book their train tickets back to London in advance!"

"The invincible Chelsea? After today, they will be Chelsea out of the FA Cup!"

Cheryl sighed, gripping her hot drink cup tightly: "Do you really think Newcastle can win? Chelsea will definitely make adjustments in the second half."

Her father interrupted her, beaming with pride: "Adjustments? Mourinho probably wouldn't even dare to enter the locker room now! Chelsea are already on the verge of winning the league title, one more won't make a difference. Losing to us is normal, otherwise their squad depth would explode with four competitions. Just watch, after the game, we'll head straight to 'The Strawberry' bar to celebrate!"

As Cheryl listened to her family cheering for each of Newcastle's interceptions, she could only helplessly wrap her scarf tighter.

The Chelsea fans in the away stands never stopped cheering.

They sang a chant they had composed for Roy in unison, and the chant grew louder every time Roy touched the ball.

The shouts of "Roy! Roy!" grew louder and louder, as if trying to break through the hustle and bustle of St. James's Park.

When Roy was brought down by a Newcastle player while dribbling past an opponent, the Chelsea fans erupted in fury.

"Foul! They didn't even have a card?!"

Despite being behind and facing a difficult situation on the field, these supporters who had traveled from afar still used their loudest voices to tell their core: they still believe.

The cheers from Chelsea fans reached their peak.

Smertin passed the ball to Roy in midfield, by which time Newcastle's midfield defense had pushed up in layers.

After receiving the ball, Roy quickly surveyed the area, and Jenas, Dale, and Nicky Butt immediately formed a triangular encirclement around him.

He first turned to face Dell, who immediately lowered his center of gravity to block him.

After feinting left and right, he suddenly broke through from Dell's left rear.

Seeing this, Nicky Butt immediately moved to cover, and Roy flicked the ball sideways with the outside of his right foot, causing Dier and Butt to collide and create a brief commotion.

Roy seized the opportunity, deftly pushing the ball with the inside of his right foot, sending it between Jenas's legs, while he accelerated away from the right side.

After the breakthrough, Roy quickly passed the ball to Glen Johnson, who was making a run into the box.

Johnson seemed surprised to receive the ball and hesitated slightly.

Roy immediately raised his hand for the ball, shouting at the same time, "What are you waiting for?!"

Johnson then realized what was happening and immediately passed the ball back.

When Roy received the ball, Jenas had already tracked back and was blocking his cut inside.

Roy suddenly accelerated with a touch of the ball, cut the ball back with his left foot, and then burst forward again from the right flank.

Gremi skillfully created space, and Newcastle's left-back, Babayaro, dared not rush in to challenge him, and could only fight and retreat.

Jenas tried to pull him away from behind, but Roy suddenly stopped and cut inside into the penalty area, forcing Jenas to stop.

After entering the right side of the penalty area, Roy made a feint and poked the ball towards the byline with his left foot, the ball going through Babayaro's legs.

Morientes suddenly dropped back two steps from his center-forward position, drawing away center-back Boumsong and creating space at the edge of the penalty area for Roy to cut inside.

Jarosik made a run from midfield to the edge of the penalty area, ready to receive a cutback pass.

Roy sprinted to catch up with the ball, and changed direction again just as Titus Bramble rushed to block him.

Without waiting for adjustments, he immediately tensed his right foot and fired a shot.

"boom!"

The ball traced a straight trajectory like a cannonball, whistling through the air towards the far corner of the goal.

Shea Given made a desperate save, but the ball was too fast.

The ball has crashed heavily into the net.

Cheryl suddenly jumped up from her seat, clenched her fists, raised them above her head, and shouted, "See that?! That's Roy!"

She turned to her father and brother, shaking their shoulders frantically, and pointed at Roy on the field, yelling, "Who just said he was going to book train tickets back to London? Now it's your taxi tickets that need booking!"

"Roy! Roy! Incredible goal! He single-handedly tore apart Newcastle's entire defense! From receiving the ball to breaking through to the final powerful shot—perfect! Chelsea equalize 1-1! St. James' Park fell silent, with only the cheers of the Blues fans echoing through the sky! This is the value of a star player, this is Roy! Mourinho clenched his fist and roared on the sidelines, this goal completely changed the momentum of the game!"

Cheryl's family said, "It's just a tie," but they all knew in their hearts that Roy's goal was truly beautiful.

Chelsea players swarmed around Roy, slapping him wildly. Roy grabbed Glen Johnson's shirt, pulled him inside, and said, "That's why I start every game. Glen, I won't hold a grudge against you, but I'll remember you today as a coward who only knows how to complain. If you concede a goal in the second half, it will only deepen my impression. But if you play well and deliver passes like you just did, one day I will respect you and say that Glen Johnson is a real man."

Glen Johnson was taken aback for a moment, then nodded silently.

In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Glen Johnson recalled:
"After I conceded a goal in that match, Roy hurled some very harsh insults at me. I was furious and even prepared to confront Mourinho in front of him at halftime, even if it meant getting physical. But he scored that goal in the 42nd minute: I made a passing pass, but the real breakthrough was entirely his individual ability, dribbling past three players before unleashing a powerful shot into the net. If it were two years later, that pass might have been considered an assist, but it wasn't then. We equalized 1-1, keeping our hopes of winning four titles alive."

"After the game, Roy said to me, 'I don't hold grudges, but you have to prove you're not a coward. If you play well, I'll say Glen Johnson is a man sooner or later.' At that moment, I realized: arguing is useless. I'm a professional player, and the only way to respond is to let my performance speak for itself."

At halftime, Chelsea made a series of substitutions, bringing on Lampard, Duff, and Desailly, just like Real Madrid had done the day before by fielding Ronaldo, Zidane, and Raul simultaneously.

But the result was equally disappointing, and Mourinho's gamble quickly failed.

Just five minutes into the second half, Bridge was brutally tackled by Shearer and had to be carried off the field with his left leg in a splint.

Seeing this, Mourinho understood: his last resort was gone, and luck was completely against him this time.

The situation is getting worse.

Duff collided with Cudicini while tracking back and was injured, forcing him to leave the field.

Mourinho said after the match that Chelsea were actually down to "nine and a half men" at that point.

To make matters worse, Cudicini then received a red card, forcing Glen Johnson to temporarily wear gloves and fill in as goalkeeper.

This series of unexpected events seems like God is deliberately working against Chelsea.

Chelsea completely abandoned their attack and retreated to their penalty area to defend.

Glen Johnson stood in front of the goal wearing oversized goalkeeper gloves, pacing nervously back and forth on the goal line every time a Newcastle player got the ball.

The temporary goalkeeper didn't even dare to come out of his goal; any mistake could directly lead to a goal being conceded.

Cech on the sidelines was so anxious he was stamping his feet, but he could only watch helplessly.

Chelsea had already used all three substitutions, so even if the regular goalkeeper was in a hurry, he couldn't get on the field.

Newcastle players clearly realized this and began frequently taking long-range shots from 30 yards out, knowing that such shots could also pose a threat against a goalkeeper who was forced to fill in.

In the 86th minute, Newcastle launched an attack.

Roy dropped back to the edge of the penalty area to participate in the defense, engaging in a fierce battle with Newcastle players.

Jarosik made a mistake in the challenge, and Ameobi, who came on as a substitute for Shearer, seized the opportunity and poked the ball from the scramble to Milner, who came on as a substitute in the 68th minute.

Milner received the ball and quickly broke through from the right side, dribbling the ball to the edge of the penalty area.

Facing Chelsea's retreating defense, he suddenly cut inside and unleashed a tricky shot with his left foot that flew straight into the far corner of the goal.

Just as the ball was about to go into the net, Glen Johnson, who was temporarily filling in as goalkeeper, stumbled and made a sideways save, miraculously blocking the ball!
Desailly immediately rushed forward, using his body to shove Kluivert aside as he prepared to shoot, clearing the ball with a long kick, while yelling at Johnson, "Well done, you damn substitute goalkeeper!"

"Chelsea's counter-attack is on!!!!"

Desailly's clearance flew forward, and Morientes leaped up, winning the first ball in a duel with Bramble, and headed it back into midfield.

Lampard accurately judged the ball's trajectory and launched a long pass before it even hit the ground.

The ball swept across the halfway line and accurately found Roy, who was making a high-speed run down the left flank.

Roy dribbled the ball for nearly 40 meters, and facing the double-team defense of Nicky Butt and Karl, he first used his right foot to push the ball outward, and then quickly changed direction, forcing his way through the narrow gap between the two defenders.

After breaking through the defense, Roy continued to dribble forward to the left side of the penalty area. Facing Boumsong, who was covering for him, he suddenly flicked the ball with his right foot and accelerated down the wing.

Near the byline, Roy delivered a low cross.

Morientes cleverly made a run from the middle, first using his body to block Bramble, and then steadily protecting the ball.

In the confined space, Morientes quickly adjusted his footing and unleashed a powerful shot with his left foot.

The ball flew straight into the net, and although Given tried his best to save it, it was too late!
2-1!

"Morientes!!! Goal!!! Chelsea have created a miracle at St. James' Park!!!"

"Nine men! Duff is injured! In a hellish situation, they've taken the lead! Morientes scores his first goal for Chelsea, a deadly left-footed shot! Given's all-out effort is in vain, 2-1! 87th minute, a last-minute winner! A last-minute winner! A last-minute winner!"

"Roy scored and assisted, pulling Chelsea back from the brink of disaster! That's why he's called the Demon King! Is he truly the only one who can control the flow of life and death?!"

"The Stamford Bridge away fans went absolutely wild! Newcastle fans stood there in disbelief, holding their heads in their hands! Mourinho was on the sidelines with his arms raised, he should have paid the price for today's disastrous rotation, this could be the most incredible comeback of the season!"

Newcastle fans watched in disbelief as the home team launched a final, all-out attack, with Milner receiving a yellow card for a tackle on Morientes.

After three minutes of added time, the referee blew the final whistle.

Chelsea players walked to the sidelines, while Mourinho remained silent with his head down. As the manager, he was largely to blame for the chaotic situation in the match.

Roy walked over to Glen Johnson and patted him on the shoulder: "Glen, that was a great save."

Johnson had just smiled when Roy added, "But you're a guard. Next game, I want to see how you perform on the defensive end."

Newcastle manager Graeme Souness remarked after the match: "Football has never been like this, like a meticulously designed cat-and-mouse game. Everything seemed preordained; Newcastle should have won this game, it should have been the inevitable outcome. But Roy changed everything. Some players can just break the mold. They don't necessarily score a lot of goals, but you can never let your guard down because they can change the course of the game at any moment. Sometimes I even feel that Roy was deliberately placed into this world. It sounds absurd, but he is truly different, completely unlike other strikers."

(End of this chapter)