Dynasty Awakening: Building My Own Football Empire-Chapter 226: BARNSLEY vs EVERTON

Michael Sterling stood on the balcony of the Sterling Era Training Complex for the last time this season. Below him the car park was already full. The fans were gathering hours before kickoff. They were wearing purple. They were wearing silver hats to celebrate the FA Cup.

But Michael was not looking at the silver hats.

He was looking at his phone.

Premier League Table

1. Manchester City - 86 Points

2. Barnsley - 84 Points

3. Liverpool - 81 Points

Arthur Milton walked onto the balcony. He was wearing a suit that was so purple it hurt the eyes. He was holding a bag of bagels.

"Boss," Arthur said chewing nervously. "I cannot feel my legs. Is it normal to not feel your legs?"

"It is the fear Arthur," Michael said putting his phone away. "And the excitement. Today we decide who we are."

"We are FA Cup winners," Arthur said. "That is good right? Second place is good. Champions League is secured. We should be happy."

Michael turned to him. His eyes were intense.

"Happy is for people who are full Arthur. I am not full. I am greedy."

Arthur stopped chewing.

"Greedy?"

"Yes," Michael said. "We have the silver. Now I want the gold. Manchester City are playing West Ham. If they draw and we win... we take it all."

"But City never slip up," Arthur whispered. "They are machines."

"Machines break," Michael said. "And Misfits steal. Let us go steal a title."

THE LOCKER ROOM LOGIC

The atmosphere in the dressing room at The Fortress was strange. Usually it was chaotic.

But today it was quiet.

Lukas Weber the Berlin Wall was sitting in the corner. He was reading a book about architecture. He looked like he was waiting for a bus not the biggest game of his life.

Diego Nunez was sitting next to him. The Bull was staring at Lukas.

"Why are you calm?" Diego asked. "My heart is beating like a techno song. Do do do do."

Lukas closed his book.

"Panic is inefficient," Lukas stated. "If I panic I make mistakes. If I am calm I crush Everton."

"I like crushing," Diego nodded. "But I like panic too. Panic makes me run fast."

Jean Luc Dubois the French giant was eating a final piece of cheese.

"We have the silver cup," Jean Luc said pointing to the replica trophy on the table. "It is nice. But gold tastes better. I heard gold tastes like honey."

Michael walked to the center of the room.

He did not shout. He did not throw things.

"Listen," Michael said.

The room focused on him.

"The world expects us to finish second. They say Well done Barnsley you had a nice fairy tale."

Michael sneered.

"I hate fairy tales. Fairy tales are for children. This is history. History is written by the winners."

He looked at Victor Osimhen. The striker was polishing his golden mask.

"Victor. You are one goal behind Haaland for the Golden Boot. Are you going to let the robot beat you?"

"No," Osimhen said standing up. "I will score three. Maybe four."

Michael looked at Lukas.

"Lukas. This is your second game. It is a title decider. Are you scared?"

"Fear is illogical," Lukas said standing up and adjusting his socks. "I am ready to work."

"Good," Michael said.

He looked at all of them.

"Everton are fighting to survive relegation. They will kick you. They will scratch you. They will try to drag you into the mud."

"Do not go into the mud. Stay in the clouds. Be greedy. Do not settle for second place. Today we take everything."

"FOR GABRIEL!" Diego Nunez roared.

"FOR THE GOLD!" the team shouted.

The tunnel was narrow. The Everton players looked terrified. They needed a point to survive in the Premier League. Their captain Tarkowski looked pale.

Diego Nunez stood next to Tarkowski. Diego smiled. It was a terrifying smile.

"Hello friend," Diego said. "Do not worry. It will be over fast."

Tarkowski looked away.

The referee picked up the ball.

Michael walked out first.

The noise hit him like a physical wave.

The Fortress was shaking. 40,000 fans were jumping. Flags were waving.

A giant banner was unfurled in the South Stand.

It showed a picture of Michael Sterling holding Baby Gabriel. And underneath it said:

Michael felt a lump in his throat. He waved to the fans.

He sat on the bench next to Arthur.

"Check the City score," Michael ordered. "Keep it open."

"I have the radio," Arthur said putting an earpiece in. "I am listening to everything. Even the weather report."

The whistle blew.

BARNSLEY vs EVERTON

The game started with ferocious intensity.

Everton tried to hit long balls. They wanted to bypass the midfield.

But they forgot one thing.

The Berlin Wall was playing.

Minute 2

Pickford kicked the ball long.

Lukas Weber watched it. He calculated the trajectory. He took two steps back.

He jumped. He chested the ball down.

An Everton midfielder Doucoure ran at him.

Lukas did not panic. He simply turned in a circle shielding the ball. Doucoure bounced off him.

Lukas passed the ball to Leo Stone.

"Simple," Lukas whispered.

"He is so cool," Arthur gasped on the bench. "He is cooler than the other side of the pillow."

THE ROAR FROM MANCHESTER

Minute 5 Barnsley were controlling the game. But the score was 0 to 0.

Suddenly a strange sound went through the stadium.

It was not a cheer for Barnsley. It was a murmur. Then a shout. Then a roar.

Thousands of fans were checking their phones.

Arthur Milton grabbed his earpiece. His eyes went wide. His jaw dropped.

"BOSS!" Arthur screamed.

"What?" Michael asked.

"WEST HAM!" Arthur shouted. "KUDUS SCORED! WEST HAM ARE WINNING 1 TO 0 AT THE ETIHAD!"

Michael stood up.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! City are losing! If it stays like this... a win makes us Champions!"

The news spread to the pitch. The crowd was chanting "WEST HAM! WEST HAM!"

Diego Nunez looked confused.

"Why are we cheering for Ham?" Diego asked Sergio Ramos. "Do we like pork?"

"No Diego!" Ramos shouted. "City are losing! If we win we are Kings!"

Diego eyes turned into saucers.

"KINGS?" Diego roared. "OKAY! I ACTIVATE KING MODE!"

The energy shifted instantly. Barnsley stopped probing. They started attacking with fury.

Minute 7

Amara the Ferrari got the ball on the wing. He was full of confidence after the FA Cup final.

He sprinted past Mykolenko.

"Beep beep!" Amara shouted.

He crossed the ball.

Jean Luc Dubois the Tank was waiting.

He headed it.

Pickford made a miraculous save. He clawed it off the line.

"Argh!" Jean Luc grunted. "I want the cheese!"

The clock ticked to ten minutes.

The stadium was vibrating. The news from Manchester had lit a fire under everyone.

Lukas Weber intercepted another pass. He looked up.

Usually he played simple.

But today he saw something.

He saw Victor Osimhen making a run.

Lukas hit a long pass. It was a laser. It cut through the air.

Osimhen controlled it on his chest. He was on the edge of the box.

He had Tarkowski on his back.

Osimhen was strong. He held him off.

He saw Leo Stone running into the box.

Osimhen backheeled it.

Leo Stone did not shoot. He dummied it. He let it run through his legs.

Behind him was Diego Nunez.

The Bull had run all the way from defense. He had smelled the glory.

Diego did not think. He did not hesitate.

He smashed it.

He hit the ball with everything he had. All the pain of the season. All the joy of the cup. All the greed for the gold.

The ball flew like a rocket. It almost broke the net.

GOAL!! Barnsley 1. Everton 0.

Minute 10. Diego Nunez ran to the corner. He did not know what to do. He tried to do a knee slide but he was too fast and he tumbled over. He rolled into the advertising boards.

He stood up laughing.

"I AM THE GOLDEN BULL!" Diego screamed. "GIVE ME THE CROWN!"

The whole team piled on top of him. Even Lukas Weber walked over and gave him a high five.

"Efficient strike," Lukas said.

"Thank you Robot!" Diego hugged him.

Michael Sterling stood on the touchline. He punched the air.

He looked at Arthur.

"Is it still 1 to 0 in Manchester?" Michael asked.

"Yes Boss!" Arthur cried. "West Ham are holding on! We are top of the league! We are actually top of the league!"

Michael looked at the scoreboard.

BARNSLEY 1 - 0 EVERTON

Eighty minutes left.

They were leading. City were losing.

The impossible dream was becoming reality.

But Michael knew football. He knew City. He knew the pain of hope.

"Calm down," Michael whispered to himself. "It is only ten minutes."

But his heart was not calm. His heart was racing.

Because for the first time in history Barnsley were sitting on the throne of English football.

And they did not plan on getting off.

"More!" Michael shouted to his players. "Be greedy! Get more!"