59: Golden Boy Crowned! Kai’s Night of Glory
The Etihad erupted in thunderous cheers!
In this era, the phrase "watching Hart watch the ball go in" hadn't yet become a popular football meme,
But facing Kai's thunderous strike, Joe Hart was helpless—
Once again, he could only watch the ball fly into the net.
BOOM!
Manchester City fans fell into stunned silence.
In their place, Crystal Palace fans were losing their minds in celebration!
3–1!
They had crushed mighty Manchester City!
Crystal Palace fans cheered wildly—and then began crying.
It was unbelievable.
It felt like a dream.
Their opponent was one of the Premier League's top clubs.
And they had defeated them!
The fans went berserk.
They waved their hands toward the players and screamed Kai's name like lunatics.
"Kai!!"
"Kai!!"
The stands were swept into a frenzy.
Kai pumped his fist toward them in acknowledgment!
That 1-in-10,000 chance—he had made it happen.
The match had played out exactly as he had envisioned.
He had led a Championship side to eliminate a Premier League powerhouse and advance to the next round of the FA Cup.
When the referee blew the final whistle,
The Etihad exploded once again!
It had become a sea of Crystal Palace jubilation.
They had conquered one of the Premier League's most feared home grounds!
As the final whistle echoed, Manchester City's exhausted players collapsed on the pitch, dazed.
A 1–3 scoreline glared above their heads.
Then reality set in—they were going trophyless this season!
Eliminated in the fourth round of the FA Cup,
Mancini's side had fallen short once again.
They couldn't even overcome a second-tier team.
In City's locker room, arguments erupted.
Raiola and his "star pupil" Balotelli were seen having an explosive fight—
Their clash was caught by the media, ending with both storming off in fury.
An unthinkable scene for the English press.
At the post-match press conference, Holloway was radiant.
He heaped praise on Kai's performance.
Over a hundred European outlets had rated the players—
Kai received a flawless score.
No contest—he was named Man of the Match.
"I think the whole Golden Boy award circus should end now," Holloway declared.
"No one has done better—two goals, one assist, and an epic defensive display."
"If Kai doesn't win the Golden Boy, then the award is meaningless!"
He said it without hesitation.
Everyone knew—after this match, Kai's value was going to explode.
Meanwhile, Mancini sat hollow-eyed, lambasted by Manchester media.
After taking over the club, he had led them to a season of total failure.
The Golden Boy odds shifted dramatically—
Kai surged to the top.
It was a wild night for Kai and Crystal Palace.
His name was now being remembered not just across England, but all of Europe.
"Crystal Palace Prodigy Dominates the FA Cup!"
"The Pitch Is Never Short of Miracles: The First Giant-Killing of This Year's FA Cup!"
"From No. 4 to No. 9! Kai Scores Twice and Assists Once to Crush Manchester City!"
"Manchester Media Fall Silent—Tonight, Manchester Belongs to South London!"
"Golden Boy Odds: Kai in the Lead—Award All but Secured!"
The media went crazy.
It was a night of celebration for every Crystal Palace supporter.
Before leaving Manchester,
A massive crowd flooded the airport.
Even some Manchester City fans showed up.
This version of City carried the stigma of being nouveau riche.
Their billionaire-backed rise brought in many new fans—
Fans whose loyalty was... let's say, flexible.
"Let's convince the club to sign him!"
One City fan said aloud—sparking a wave of agreement.
If you can't beat him, buy him.
This kid destroyed us? No problem—we'll pay whatever it takes to sign him.
After all, City lacked everything…
Except money.
They had to buy him—no other Premier League team could be allowed to get him first.
"Damn Mancini," one fan fumed.
"He ignored Kai just to boost Balotelli's Golden Boy chances. If United gets him next season, they'll slaughter us every derby!"
And so began a flood of calls from fans demanding the club move fast.