Chapter 73

The title of the article, "Is the Championship weaker than the Premier League? NO!" appeared on the headlines of the sports section of The Times.

  However, this article was still questioned by many people.

  Especially Premier League fans.

  "It's not that the Championship is strong, but that Leicester City is strong! Please figure it out!"

  In an interview with Sky TV, the words of an experienced football commentator represented the thoughts of many people.

  "In most games between Premier League teams and Championship teams, the Championship is still at an absolute disadvantage.

  "The broad-scale penalties in Championship games make it easy for players to get used to a rough style of play.

  "Once they encounter harsh penalties, they will suffer.

  "Although Leicester City is tough, its style of play is not rough.

  "This is also the reason why they can compete with Premier League teams.

  "So don't brag about the Championship, it's meaningless. "

  Yes, Leicester City's performance this season has indeed exceeded the attention within the Championship.

  Their performance has been heard throughout Europe.

  In particular, many Leicester City players are said to have been targeted by many teams in the top five leagues.

  But no one thinks much about it now, because for all Leicester City people, going all out to advance to the Premier League is the most important thing.

  After beating Queens Park Rangers and Reading, Leicester City's winning streak continues.

  On December 29, they beat Charlton again.

  It was also a 1-0 victory, and it was also assisted by Xia Xing.

  Leicester City's lead has reached 13 points.

  After fighting in turns, Leicester City players are already very tired.

  And three days later, Leicester City will continue to fight in the championship, still away.

  On January 1, the first day of 2014, they will be guests at the Neil Stadium for the first game of the second half of the Championship.

  Their opponent is Millwall.

  When they met this group of football hooligans again, the opponents have been clamoring for a long time.

  "If Leicester City comes to our home, we will definitely make them suffer!"

  The embarrassing scene in the first half of the season when Leicester City defeated Millwall was still vivid in their minds.

  The thought of this filled them with resentment.

  But this time Pearson did not force himself.

  For him, the team's physical strength must be properly maintained.

  Especially against Millwall, it is even more important to ensure that the players do not get injured.

  So Pearson sent out an almost entirely substitute lineup for this game.

  Even the captain Morgan sat on the bench.

  In the starting lineup, only Schmeichel, Xia Xing and Drinkwater were the three absolute main players.

  The rest were substitutes.

  And Pearson's goal for the players in this game was also very clear -

  don't get injured, get fewer cards!

  He didn't even mention the requirement to win.

  In other words, it doesn't matter as long as everyone is fine in this game.

  Anyway, the team is now 13 points ahead of second-placed Burnley. It doesn't matter if it's a draw or even a loss!

  Leicester City is playing it safe, but Millwall is playing it tough.

  They started to charge fiercely from the first minute.

  But they didn't expect that there would be something new in this game.

  Why.... Leicester City didn't control the ball?

  In this game, at Pearson's request, Leicester City even took the initiative to give up the ball to the opponent.

  Then they retreated to counterattack.

  Come on, hooligans!

  Come and attack!

With this, Millwall couldn't do anything.

  They just charged at the opponent, but the opponent didn't control the ball. What should they do?

  They couldn't go at the opponent who didn't control the ball , right?

  Wouldn't that be pure fighting?

  Moreover, Millwall's offensive ability was average. Even if they were given the ball, they didn't have any decent offense.

  After playing for more than 40 minutes in the first half, there was no decent shot at all.

  In the first minute of injury time, Xia Xing made a tackle in the midfield and intercepted the opponent's ball!

  A long pass went straight to the front!

  Knockaert successfully countered offside and shot the ball!

  The ball went in!

  1 to 0!   

  Leicester City used a fast break to open the scoring!

  With a one-goal advantage, Leicester City entered the second half.

  After the second half, Leicester City still gave the opponent the chance to control the ball.

  Millwall attacked fiercely in Leicester City's half.

  But it had no effect.

In the 78th minute of the second half, Drinkwater intercepted the ball in the midfield and suddenly moved forward.

  At a distance of 35 meters from the goal, he took a shot!

  The ball went straight into the dead corner!

  2-0!

  Leicester City scored another goal!

  Victory is in sight!

  In the end, Millwall failed to score.

  They wanted revenge in this game, but they were defeated by their opponents again.

  The fans in the stands kept cursing, but the Leicester City generals and coaches didn't care.

  Keep Cursing, the more you curse, the better we play.

  Pearson on the sidelines was even smiling.

  That's great.

  No one was injured in this game, and we won the game. That's great.

  The match was played earlier, so Leicester City did not stay overnight. Their bus returned to Leicester.

  The bus stopped at the entrance of the club, and Pearson looked at everyone with a smile.

  "Guys, you've worked hard today."  

 "You did a great job to win against those hooligans without a single blow!"

"Today is the first day of the New Year, I wish you all a happy New Year!"

"Two days off, go back and rest!"   

There was a burst of excitement on the bus!   Drinkwater drove Xia Xing to the door of his house and waved goodbye.   

Looking up, he saw that the house was brightly lit.   

After facial recognition, the door opened automatically.   

Reed and Alyona's were both in the living room.   

"Are you still not resting so late? Are you waiting for me?"   

"You guessed it right!"   

Alyona gave Xia Xing a warm hug, and Xia Xing felt very warm.   

Reed snorted: "Sister really guessed it right. He said Pearson would definitely set you guys free for the New Year."   

Alyona smiled and pointed to the kitchen: "You don't have to cook today. We are all ready. Since the end of the game, Reed has started to calculate your travel time and estimated that you should be home soon. It turned out to be right."   

Xia Xing smiled: "Reed, you are really smart."   

Li De curled his lips: "Anyway, i am smarter than you."   

Alyona went into the kitchen and soon dinner was served.   

It was just nine o'clock. The British often have dinner at this time.   

The three sat down, eating and chatting, relaxed and happy.   

After dinner, Xia Xing went back to the room and took out the New Year gifts prepared for the siblings.   

"Reed, this is a New Year gift for you."

  "Top-of-the-line laptop? Wow, this is not cheap, it's okay."   

"Your old laptop can be replaced."  

 "Aly, this is the Chinese cheongsam you have always wanted. I asked someone to bring you five sets, all in different styles. I hope you like it."  

 "Wow! They are all beautiful! I like them so much! Thank you!"  

 Looking at the happy look of the siblings, Xia Xing's face was full of smiles.   Alyona gave Xia Xing a watch as a New Year gift. The deep sky blue dial was very beautiful.  

 Reed gave Xia Xing a pair of casual suits. They were very slim and looked very good.   The three of them sat on the sofa and chatted in the warmth of the fireplace.   They talked about everything and laughed.   The taste of home filled every corner...   

(End of this chapter)