When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 253 Building a High Tower, Hosting a Feast for Guests

Amidst the deafening cheers at Stamford Bridge, a mechanical voice suddenly rang clearly in Roy's mind:
“获得2004-2005赛季英超冠军！！！恭喜您解锁埃尔林-哈兰德2022-2023赛季身体素质天赋。具体解锁内容如下：身体对抗上限从72提升至95，当前值为72”

The sound was exceptionally clear, contrasting sharply with the surrounding cacophony of celebration.

Roy stood on the podium, still holding the championship trophy in his hand, but was slightly taken aback by this sudden prompt.

He looked around and saw that his teammates and fans were still celebrating, and no one heard him.

At the same time, the semi-transparent virtual panel reappeared in Roy's field of vision:

Host: Roy

Birthday: October 6, 1984.

Height/Weight: 185cm/78kg
Dominant foot: Right foot
Registered position: Left winger
[Offensive awareness: 91; Ball control: 86; Dribbling: 97; Ball protection: 83]

Ground passing: 96; Aerial passing: 75; Shooting: 90; Heading: 65

[Set pieces: 97; Curving shots: 95; Speed: 97; Acceleration: 96]

【脚下力量：79（91）；跳跃：80；对抗：72（95）；平衡：88】

[Sports: 78; Defensive Awareness: 62; Steals: 52;]

Overall rating: 93 (95)

Cheryl excitedly rushed towards Roy, wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, and kissed him passionately.

Her soft body pressed against Roy's, her face beaming with pride and joy.

Roy could not hide his excitement at this moment. This improvement was the biggest breakthrough in his career. Now he finally had all the potential to grow into a phenomenal attacker.

Roy's improved physical attributes will lead to a comprehensive evolution in his competitive ability.

As a left winger, he was already known for his excellent technique and speed. Now that he has gained Haaland-level power, his playing style will be fundamentally changed.

On the offensive end, he can maintain his original delicate dribbling skills while adding more direct ways to break through.

When facing defenders, he can use both skill to get past them and physical strength to force his way through. This makes him even more difficult for defenders to guard.

His shooting ability will be significantly enhanced. The increased power in his feet will make his long-range shots from 25 to 30 meters more threatening, and set pieces will also be more difficult to defend due to the increased power.

His improved physical strength allows him to better position himself in the penalty area, shielding the ball and creating opportunities for his teammates.

These changes transformed him from a technical winger into a well-rounded attacker with a combination of technique, speed, and power.

He can break through and cross like a traditional winger, or he can hold off the defense and finish the shot like a center forward.

This versatility will greatly increase the difficulty of defense, allowing him to more directly determine the outcome of the game.

Roy looked down at his own body and hesitated.

Haaland's massive physique of over 190cm and weight of nearly 95kg seems to be a completely different type from mine.

He was unsure whether he needed to gain a significant amount of weight immediately to match his newfound physical strength, as a sudden change in physique could affect the speed and agility that made him famous.

But one thing he was very clear about was that even without changing his weight for the time being, he could feel a brand new power surging through his body.

Haaland's physical strength means he has absolute dominance on the football field.

When other players need to use skill or speed to get past the defense, Haaland can bulldoze through them like a bulldozer. His 190cm height and nearly 95kg weight give him the upper hand in close battles with any defender.

This ability to compete is not just about brute force, but also about maintaining balance while running at high speed, still being able to shoot when being pulled, and even frequently scoring while carrying two defenders.

This physical advantage, combined with top-tier speed among strikers of his caliber, made it impossible for defenders to catch up with or outrun him.

This is why it is widely believed in modern football that when Haaland gets going, the only way to stop him is by fouling.

Then that cold, precise voice rang out in my mind again:

"Through comprehensive analysis, the optimal solution has been generated. The host does not need to gain weight to 95kg to obtain the same combat ability. This system will provide you with the same combat strength as a top 95kg center within the 80-82kg weight range by optimizing muscle fiber density, enhancing nerve signal transmission efficiency, and improving skeletal tendon strength."

"Specific measures include: reshaping the arrangement of fast-twitch muscle fibers to generate greater explosive power for each muscle bundle, increasing the motor neuron recruitment rate to over 95% to ensure coordinated force exertion of all muscles in the body, strengthening the toughness of articular cartilage and tendons to withstand higher-intensity impacts, and maintaining existing agility attributes through dynamic balancing algorithms."

"When you reach the 80kg threshold, the system will automatically activate the strength conversion protocol. At that point, a slender winger with a 78kg build will unleash the physical strength of a heavy center with a 95kg build, while losing no more than 3% of their change-of-direction speed and sprint cadence. Progressive muscle gain is recommended, adding 0.3-0.5kg of pure muscle mass per week. The system will adjust the proportions of each muscle group in real time to ensure that strength gains do not affect the precision of your technique. During the weight gain process, your explosive power and dribbling accuracy will be fully preserved, and all technical movements will remain unaffected. This plan has completed 99.7% feasibility verification and can be implemented immediately."

This reassuring explanation from the machine put Roy completely at ease.

He realized that he didn't need to become a heavy tank like Haaland, but rather to maintain the agility of a winger while gaining the physical strength of a top center forward.

This perfect balance is exactly what he needs.

As Roy walked through the electrifying stadium accompanied by Cheryl, they were instantly surrounded by the flashes of the media's cameras.

Reporters jostled forward, their microphones reaching out like a dense forest towards the newly crowned champion.

Just as the crowd surged forward, Abramovich parted the throng and walked over.

The usually dignified club owner suddenly hugged Roy tightly for a full three minutes. His strong arms even made Roy, who had gained Haaland's strength, feel a little suffocated.

"Thank you, Roy."

The Russian spoke in his ear in heavily accented English, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, "This championship is incredibly meaningful. When everyone questioned my decision, only you proved my judgment time and time again with your goals. You brought glory back to Stamford Bridge, and the soul of this team has been changed because of you."

Abu released the hug, his hands still gripping Roy's shoulders tightly, a rare emotional flicker in his blue eyes: "From today onwards, this will always be your home. Whatever renewal terms you desire, my office door is always open for you."

After saying this, he kissed Roy's cheeks forcefully in front of all the media present, a gesture full of Russian style that drew good-natured laughter and applause from those around him.

Cheryl watched this scene with a smile, noticing that the usually composed Russian tycoon had tears in his eyes, a rare sight for him.

Roy simply nodded slightly and said in a way that the media could hear:

“Thank you, sir. I love it here too and hope to continue playing for Chelsea. The fans here have given me their unwavering support and love, which means everything to me. I always understand that the high salary you pay is the price for winning championships, so I fulfill that responsibility every day in training and matches. But today, your words made me feel more than just an employment relationship; they also showed me genuine trust. My family and I have great respect for you and for Chelsea, this great club.”

The media immediately recognized the weight of these words: they were both a top star's declaration of loyalty to the club and a public statement full of professionalism.

Tomorrow's headlines in major sports newspapers are already predictable: "Roy: Chelsea is my home."

These words undoubtedly struck a chord with Abramovich's deepest desires.

This Russian tycoon saw in Roy the potential for Chelsea to transform into a true powerhouse, not just through short-term success built on money, but by creating a legendary era that would be recorded in football history.

When Roy expressed his sense of belonging to the club in such a dignified and sincere way, Abramovich knew that his investment had yielded a return far exceeding expectations: he had not only signed one of the most dominant players in football today, but also gained a figurehead who could define the club's character.

Ten years is enough time to change the DNA of a club.

If Roy can play here for more than ten years and lead Chelsea to continuous victories, then when people mention Stamford Bridge, they will no longer think of "oil money" first, but will naturally think of the Blues' golden age, just like when talking about the white legend of the Bernabéu and the red and black spirit of the San Siro.

Roy's presence has given Chelsea the opportunity to make a crucial leap from "nouveau riche" to "century-old powerhouse." He is not only the core of the team now, but also the architect of the club's historical status.

What Abramovich felt in that embrace was precisely this opportunity to transcend a single championship and create something eternal.

He patted Roy on the shoulder with satisfaction, a smug smile on his face: "Roy, these words make me happier than any championship trophy. When I signed you last year, I said you would become the symbol of a new era for Chelsea. Now the whole Premier League has witnessed my vision."

He lowered his voice and added with the shrewdness typical of a businessman, "When we talk about renewing the contract in the summer, the numbers on the contract will make you understand how much my trust in you is worth in pounds."

Suddenly turning to Cheryl, Abu winked and joked, "Beautiful Cheryl, would you like to lend me your Mr. Champion tonight? My champagne cellar is full of treasures, just waiting for this moment to be opened."

As Cheryl nodded with a smile, Abramovich had already put his arm around Roy's shoulder and walked towards the players' tunnel, his voice brimming with undisguised pride:
"Let's start tonight, Kenyon, Mourinho, and you, together, give European football a real Chelsea shock!"

When Mourinho approached, Abramovich and Roy naturally turned to greet him.

The three shook hands and chatted briefly, and Kenyon, who had just arrived, also joined the small group.

The photographers on the sidelines immediately stirred, and the sound of shutters clicking filled the air.

This image brings together all the key figures in Chelsea's rise to prominence: the owner, the manager, the star player, and the strategist.

In the latest Forbes Russia list, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich topped the list of the world's richest people with a net worth of $147 billion.

This figure leaves other billionaires far behind; last year's richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, has seen his assets shrink from $152 billion to $20 billion.

Although Chelsea FC is still losing money, Abramovich has the financial resources to continue investing.

He is investing £2 million to build a world-class training facility, aiming to make Stamford Bridge a new landmark in European football.

Since bringing in former Manchester United CEO Kenyon, Chelsea's management has gradually become more standardized.

Kenyon is now developing a new five-year plan for Chelsea, which will guarantee the club will be profitable by 2009.

He revealed that Chelsea will focus on four major markets in the future: "London, Russia, China, not all of Asia, but specifically China, and North America will be our focus for future development."

This moment seems to have brought together all the perfect pieces to create a top-tier club: a super-rich tycoon willing to invest heavily, a tactical mastermind coach, a top-tier star player at his peak, and a shrewd business operator.

Under the flash of the camera, this golden combination looked flawless.

The perfect combination of money, talent, and ambition made the rise of the Chelsea dynasty seem like a natural progression.

But there are no permanent winners in the world of football. How far this dream team can go ultimately depends on whether they can avoid the pitfalls that have caused countless top teams to fail: dressing room conflicts, injury waves, or being blinded by success.

For now, at least the sky over Stamford Bridge is clear.

Ashley Cole slowly drove away from Stamford Bridge, his eyes behind his sunglasses scanning the perimeter of the stadium.

More and more Chelsea fans are pouring in from all directions, wearing blue jerseys, waving scarves, and with unbelievable joy on their faces. Clearly, many of them never dared to imagine that their team could actually win this game.

The entire Fulham Road had turned into a rolling blue wave, filled with cheers and the cacophony of car horns.

Sirens blared incessantly as large numbers of police officers in fluorescent vests formed a human wall, holding hands to keep the wildly celebrating crowds off the road.

Kerr gently honked the horn in response to the fans' cheers, and in the rearview mirror, the outline of Stamford Bridge was gradually being swallowed up by blue fireworks.

He muttered a curse under his breath: "These Blue Team lunatics."

But he regretted it as soon as he spoke. He nervously glanced at the cheering crowd outside the car window, afraid that someone had heard his complaint.

This feeling of unease made him restless, because he knew in his heart that today's game completely confirmed one idea: Arsenal simply cannot shake Chelsea's dominance in the short term.

Looking out the car window at the blue flags waving by the fans, Kerr couldn't help but think of Roy's terrifying dominance.

Even with Henry in such good form this season, he can barely keep up with that monster and get left in the dust.

As for Van Nistelrooy, he's no longer in the same league.

He knew better than anyone what joining Chelsea meant: a generous salary, a constant stream of trophies, exposure under the spotlight, and a guaranteed starting position as the national team's left-back.

These thoughts made him grip the steering wheel tighter, and the blue ocean outside the window suddenly became less dazzling.

A black Mercedes-Benz van smoothly drove toward Abu's private villa in West London.

Roy leaned back in the back seat, with his personal trainer Pintus, agent Mendes, and several core team members sitting next to him.

Cheryl changed into a dark blue evening gown and was adjusting her earrings.

Claire, sitting next to Roy, flipped through her paper schedule and reported: "Tomorrow morning at nine, an interview with The Daily Telegraph; at noon, a new ad shoot with Nike; and at three in the afternoon, a live broadcast on Sky Sports. Following that are four magazine cover shoots: GQ next Tuesday at ten, 442 on file all day Thursday, The Observer Sports Monthly on Friday afternoon, Sports Illustrated is waiting for their photographer to fly in from New York, and tentatively next Wednesday, Shoot! is offering £8 for an exclusive 'Journey to the Championship' interview."

"And there's your old friend Vincent Durok. But L'Équipe has become accustomed to your title wins, and they want to do another interview during the Champions League semi-final. You'll still be the main character in L'Équipe's Champions League feature, and of course, Monaco's return to the semi-finals has excited the French public. Durok says they have to balance the coverage." Abramovich's private villa was brightly lit, preparing for Chelsea's biggest celebration in club history.

Before the car door opened, Roy suddenly turned around and grabbed Pintus's shoulder:

“Antonio, we may need to adjust our training plan. Over the next period, I hope to gradually increase my weight to around 80 kilograms, which requires about 2 kilograms of muscle gain. Could you please help me develop a reasonable strength training plan, focusing on enhancing my resistance but also being careful not to affect my flexibility? Please also arrange the nutrition with the team, and we will proceed step by step.”

Pintus frowned slightly: "Roy, you currently weigh 78 kg with a body fat percentage of 9.2%, and your muscle-to-skeletal ratio is practically perfect. For every kilogram of muscle you gain, your 30-meter sprint time will increase by 0.03 seconds. All your technical movements, including turning and getting away, rely on muscle memory at your current weight. I don't recommend gaining weight."

"Of course, if you insist on gaining weight, we can use Swiss balls and suspension training to keep the impact to within 5%."

"Trust me, Antonio, this adjustment won't be a big problem. You and I both know the intensity of the Premier League; sacrificing a fraction of a second of speed is worthwhile. Besides, I'm fast enough already."

Pintus has a five-man team that is specifically tasked with monitoring Roy's physical condition.

A nutritionist is responsible for planning daily meals, two data analysts process training data, and two sports science experts analyze video recordings and monitor body indicators.

They had to meet with the team doctor every week with paper reports, and even Roy's average daily water intake in milliliters had to be recorded.

In this era, a task that could be accomplished with an Apple Watch in the future would require a large amount of manpower. Fortunately, Roy was wealthy enough to support such a professional team.

Pintus has become well-known in English and European football since becoming Roy's personal trainer.

Now he not only oversees Roy's training, but even Premier League stars like Henry, Vieira, Ronaldo, and Kluivert have come to him seeking his help to improve their form.

The magazine 442 also featured Pintus, calling him "the unsung hero behind the Monaco miracle and Roy's rise."

The article details how he used unique training methods to help Roy improve his physical strength from his time in Ligue 1, ultimately leading to his brilliance in the Champions League.

Even now, some sports newspaper columns quote his training philosophy, feeling that he has combined scientific data and football tradition exceptionally well.

“Okay, Roy. I’ll devise a six-week progressive muscle-building program, aiming to gain 0.3-0.4 kg of pure muscle per week. The training schedule is as follows: three resistance training sessions per week, focusing on 5x5 squats and deadlifts, supplemented by pull-ups and barbell rows to strengthen the back. Two power training sessions will be reserved to maintain speed, and a 30-minute cold water bath will be performed immediately after each training session to aid muscle recovery. Nutritionally, an additional 500 calories of high-quality protein will be added daily, mainly from chicken breast, salmon, and whey protein, with casein supplementation one hour before bed. Body composition will be measured every Sunday morning on an empty stomach, and if the body fat percentage exceeds 9.5%, the carbohydrate ratio will be adjusted.”

Roy nodded, and Cheryl asked with some concern, "What will this do to Roy?"

Pintus smiled and replied easily, "Don't worry, I won't turn him into a bodybuilder. I'll just make him a wall when he bumps into people, but still as fast as the wind when he runs. Simply put, it's a version that will give the opposing defenders a bigger headache."

As the group headed toward Abu's villa, Cheryl slowed her pace and whispered in Roy's ear, "I mean, will this kind of training enhance your combat capabilities in another private setting as well?"

"certainly."

Chelsea's championship celebration was quite grand. Abramovich invited a large number of British celebrities and stars to attend. Even though many people were not Chelsea fans, such a party was not to be missed. At the party, Roy saw Daria Zhukova, with whom he had a brief affair, and her arms dealer father. Many oligarchs' children came to greet Roy and ask for photos. Roy was quite popular in Russia. Some Chinese tycoons also exchanged pleasantries with Roy and communicated with him in Chinese.

Ekaterina Rybonoleva, daughter of Monaco president Dmitry Rybonolev, was also among the invited guests.

Ekaterina, holding a champagne glass, walked up to Roy and nodded slightly, saying, "Congratulations, Mr. Roy, and of course, congratulations to Uncle Roman and Chelsea as well. These are my father's words."

Meanwhile, Russian singer Arsu looked at Roy with a complicated expression, then whispered mysteriously in his ear:

"Roy, honestly, you're such a troublemaker. I found out the other day when Dalia and I were having afternoon tea that you two were actually hooking up behind my back after that dinner party. She says she's moved on, but she can't stop talking about you. As an old friend, I have to remind you, Dalia has a new boyfriend."

She glanced at Abu, who was surrounded by celebrities in the distance.

Roy smiled: "Is this the person I'm thinking of?"

"Maybe."

Arsu took a sip of his drink and looked at Roy with a half-joking expression: "To be honest, I used to like you a lot too, but unfortunately she beat me to it."

"However, I have no interest in getting involved in certain people's games."

She suddenly leaned closer. "How about it? Want to try it with me secretly? I promise I won't tell your girlfriend."

Roy smiled.

Arsu narrowed his eyes: "You've guessed who it is, haven't you?"

Roy raised an eyebrow: "Nicholas II (the last Tsar)?"

Arsu was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing: "You're so funny."

"Then you guessed right, it's the current Tsar of London. His Majesty is fascinated by the current collection."

Roy smiled. No matter how powerful Abu was, he was not a businessman. Calling him Tsar was an exaggeration. There was only one true Tsar.

"Then I'll have to win Constantinople for His Majesty the Tsar's dream. Of course, I'm talking about the Champions League trophy on the Bosphorus."

Arsu squinted: "Then I believe that the most fascinating collection is still you. For Uncle Roman, it's the Champion Puzzle; for Dalia, it's that unreleased French artwork in the Louvre's underground vault; and for me, it's the only Fabergé egg that has ended up in private hands."

Roy suddenly burst into laughter, a hearty laugh that carried a sharp edge:
"Ha! Arsu, I am not a collection in the Louvre, nor am I anyone's private collection."

He casually placed the champagne glass on the waiter's tray.

"I am the blizzard on the field; if I want to come, I'll just blow past myself. Excuse me."

Roy walked through the crowd toward Rupert Murdoch in the center of the hall.

The 74-year-old media mogul, dressed in a grey suit, was holding a whiskey and talking quietly to someone next to him.

His wrinkled face was expressionless, but his slightly hunched back still exuded an aura of control.

After all, the prosperity of the entire Premier League is driven by his invisible hand.

At this moment, Murdoch stands at the pinnacle of the global media empire he has built with his own hands.

In 2005, Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation was arguably the world's largest media empire.

In Britain, he controlled The Sun, the best-selling newspaper, and The Times, a serious media outlet, while the tabloid News of the World influenced millions of readers every week.

In the United States, Fox News dominates conservative media, 20th Century Fox produces blockbuster films every year, and the New York Post holds a prominent position in the East Coast media landscape.

In Australia, his newspaper, The Australian, and Channel 7 television virtually monopolized the local media market.

In addition, he owns Star TV, which reaches billions of viewers from India to Hong Kong.

What's most frightening about Murdoch isn't just his media assets, but his ability to make them work together.

When a Fox movie is released, its newspapers will cover it extensively, television news will feature it, and tabloids will hype up celebrity gossip, creating a comprehensive media bombardment.

Politicians both love and fear him, because his media can both elevate people to power and spread scandals throughout the English-speaking world within 24 hours.

These days, if you want to make a name for yourself in the football world, you either have to curry favor with Murdoch or be prepared to be portrayed as a locker room cancer in his newspapers.

Murdoch saw Roy in the distance, raised his glass, and whispered to the person next to him:
"Look, the Premier League's most prolific striker has arrived, but for us at The Sun, his off-field scandals are the real fodder."

Roy accepted the champagne offered by the waiter and raised his glass to Murdoch.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries. The old fox talked about his goal tally this season, while Roy complimented the broadcasting technology.

No one mentioned the exaggerated wording on the front page of The Sun.

As Roy was about to leave with Cheryl in his arms, Murdoch suddenly said to Cheryl:

"Your voice is very special. Cheryl is young, bright, and has a pure British flavor, unlike the electronic voices produced by assembly lines these days."

Cheryl was clearly stunned, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she gripped Roy's sleeve tightly with her fingers: "My God, this is really..."

Roy immediately chimed in, smiling as he patted her shoulder: "Darling, Mr. Murdoch's approval isn't something you can just get easily."

He gestured to Cheryl with his eyes, signaling her to quickly seize this rare opportunity.

Cheryl understood and immediately expressed her gratitude to Murdoch.

Murdoch glanced at Roy and said, "If you ever need to release a solo album, you can have afternoon tea with the music director of 20th Century Fox, if Mr. Roy is willing to let you go."

Roy laughed heartily: "How could that be?"

"Speaking of which, I'm an old friend of Mr. Murdoch's media. I couldn't make it through several previous documentary invitations because of the tight schedule."

He showed a regretful yet sincere expression.

"However, the offseason is approaching now, and if the team is still interested, we can sit down and finalize this matter."

With a mere clink of their glasses, the two generations of foxes tacitly reached a deal.

Cheryl's record deal is just a gimmick; what's really important is that with Beckham's move to Spain, the void left by a Premier League football superstar in the media needs to be filled.

Roy, with his wholesome image and constant media attention, is precisely the ideal successor in Murdoch's eyes.

"My God! Afternoon tea with the director of Fox Music? This is incredible!"

Cheryl stepped out of the villa, a gust of night wind bringing her back to her senses. She took a deep breath: "That's 20th Century Fox! How many Hollywood film soundtracks has their music director worked on?! Wait, what should I wear to see them? I need to call my stylist right now!"

As she got into the car, Claire walked over to Roy and said:
"Fox Music may not be a pop music giant like Universal or Sony, but in terms of releasing movie soundtracks and popular TV series OSTs, it is suitable for artists who want to 'add prestige to their careers.' However, if Murdoch personally facilitates the deal, it means media exposure resources, such as prime-time exposure on Fox TV and front-page headlines in The Sun's entertainment section, which are much more tangible than record sales."

Roy frowned: "What are you trying to say?"

Claire chuckled: "It seems our heartthrob is serious this time."

Roy waved his hand, a helpless smile on his lips: "Relax, Claire. Since when did the slightest thing make you think of an 8 PM soap opera? You should keep your sense of humor. To be honest, I kind of miss the Claire who used to be able to throw out hellish jokes anytime."

As night deepened, outside Roy's apartment window, the whole of London was still immersed in the celebrations of Chelsea's title win.

The distant noise of the bar street could be faintly heard, the blue flags still fluttered in the night wind, and the drunken chants of fans occasionally drifted in through the window.

At that moment, the living room sofa sank deep, Cheryl straddled Roy's lap, passionately kissing his lips, her fingers digging deep into his hair.

With Chelsea having already secured the Premier League title, some key players have begun to rest in order to conserve their energy for the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool a few days later.

Roy also took advantage of this period of reduced competition intensity to start a muscle-building training program, adding strength training in the gym to prepare for the crucial Champions League battle.

Robben, who had been sidelined with injury, has finally returned to the field.

The Dutch winger watched the game from the stands after being injured during the match against Blackburn, and only came down to celebrate with his teammates after the team had already won the title.

Now, ahead of the crucial Champions League semi-final against Liverpool, Robben's timely return has given manager Mourinho a sigh of relief.

"The Flying Dutchman's" dribbling and speed remain important weapons in Chelsea's attack, and his return undoubtedly boosts the team's confidence in winning.

2005 4 Month 23 Day.

In the 35th round of the Premier League, Chelsea defeated Fulham 3-1 at home.

Although Chelsea were not in great form, they still took the lead early on.

In the 17th minute, Drogba's diagonal pass found Joe Cole, who faked out the defender and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that nestled into the top corner, leaving Van der Sar helpless.

However, 19-year-old Dutch youngster Collins John equalized for Fulham before halftime.

Chelsea regrouped in the second half.

In the 64th minute, Duff and Robben combined brilliantly on the left wing, culminating in Lampard scoring with a low shot from outside the penalty area.

In the 87th minute, substitute Gudjohnsen received a through ball from Thiago and slotted home to seal the victory.

(Updates of 10,000+ words will resume tomorrow)
(End of this chapter)