Rise of a Football God

Chapter 233 A pivotal game; against Newcastle United

(Premier league:)

(Matchday 24 of 38:)

(Newcastle vs Fulham)

(Date: 1st February, 2025)

Fulham's squad for this game caused a stir in the footballing world.

After just a month since the horror Chelsea game where Sam sustained an ankle injury, he was back in the Fulham squad!

Of course, he did not make it to the starting XI straight away but still, the mere sight of his name in the Fulham squad that was traveling to Newcastle sent ripples of shock through the football world.

'What?!'

'Was Sam really recovered?'

'How?!'

'How could he recover from such a serious ankle injury in just a month?'

Not just premier league football fans, most importantly, the Newcastle United coach was extremely perplexed by the squad of their opponents for this game but he quickly embraced the cruel reality, time was not waiting for him.

It was too late to change formations.

So, the Newcastle United coach simply focused on helping his players implement his gameplan as best as they could after they entered the pitch.

Fulham's starting XI was still the same as the one they've been using since. Raul Jimenez started as the striker, while behind him was the trio of Alex Iwobi, Emile Smith Rowe, and Adama Traore.

In midfield was the midfield duo of Lukic and Pereira, while the 4-man defense comprised of Antonee Robinson, Diop, Calvin Bassey, and Castagne.

And of course, Bernd Leno started in between the posts.

For Newcastle United, they started with their regular 4-3-3 formation. Martin Dubravka started in between the posts while their 4-man defense comprised of Trippier, Schar, Danny Burn, and Hall.

Their midfield trio comprised Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, and Joelinton while their offensive trio comprised Murphy, Aleksandr Isak, and Anthony Gordon.

It was a deadly Newcastle side.

The atmosphere in St. James' Park, Newcastle United's home stadium was electric as the home supporters made a lot of noise.

But even in this noise, a certain chant could be heard prominently from the away stands as soon as the camera focused on a certain player in the Fulham bench.

"Sam!" "Sam!" "Sam!"

The noise rose from the away stands like a war chant, incredulously contending with the noise that was being made by the home supporters.

The commentator chuckled. "What an atmosphere in St. James' Park".

"Fulham's traveling fans are having a field day". He laughed. "But you can't blame them, even I, the commentator is flabbergasted".

"Sam is back! Can you believe that?"

"I'm not a Doctor but even I know when a medical report sounds serious. We all expected the young Nigerian to be out for at least 4 months".

"Recovering in just 1 month?" The commentator sighed exaggeratedly. "T-that's just bonkers man!"

"This adds an extra layer of excitement to this game".

"Will we get to see Sam play today?"

"Well, we can only watch and see".

FWEEEE!

As soon as the referee's whistle sounded, Fulham kicked off the game under the roar of the home supporters surrounding this stadium.

Sam's addition to the Fulham squad already added an extra layer of tension to this game, and it made the home supporters even more hostile to the visiting team as they suddenly felt nervous.

Their nervousness translated into more hostility for the opposition team.

"BOOO!"

"BOOO…!"

As soon as Fulham kicked off the game, the home supporters drowned them in an ocean of boos, trying their best to get into their head.

It worked as Fulham soon lost possession.

And from there on, the battle in St. James' Park started. During the first few minutes of this game, it was an even game as both teams played conservatively, remaining defensively disciplined.

During the build-up to this game, both teams approached this game offensively with the only intention of winning and getting away with all 3 points.

But Sam's presence in this stadium already rattled nerves, changing the narrative. His presence acted as a catalyst.

His catalytic presence made the Newcastle team more defensive-minded, suddenly too nervous to push too many men forward in attack as they didn't want their opponents to get the first goal.

As for the Fulham team? With Sam's presence making this stadium so hostile, they also retreated into themselves like a turtle, defending.

For 30 minutes, there was barely any significant action as both sides played conservatively, till a moment of magic from a certain winger.

After a scramble for the ball in the middle of the pitch that Lukic won, the midfielder sprayed a pass to the left where Alex Iwobi lurked.

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Taking the ball in his strides, the Nigerian international beat his man with skill before playing a trivela pass into space with the outside of his boot.

"Ohhhh…! What a pass!"

That killer pass from Alex Iwobi obliterated the whole Newcastle United defense, setting up a rapid Raul Jimenez one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Noting the threat, Martin Dubravka, Newcastle United's goalkeeper charged out, putting pressure on the striker but with cool composure, Jimenez hit the ball, sending it in between the legs of the onrushing goalkeeper and into the net.

"GOALLLL…!!!" The away fan section in St. James' Park exploded.

Charging towards the corner flag, Raul Jimenez kissed the Fulham badge before turning and pointing at his jersey number in celebration even as the hostile Newcastle United fans drowned him in boos.

In the 33rd minute of this game, Jimenez scored, giving Fulham the lead in away ground in a tough and hostile atmosphere.

From that moment on, the momentum finally tilted, going full Fulham.

For the next few minutes, Fulham dominated this game, torturing the Newcastle United backline as Emile Smith Rowe finally started letting his presence known, spraying passes left and right.

2 more chances were created for Raul Jimenez only for Newcastle United to be saved by their impressive goalkeeper within a time frame of just 7 minutes.

But then, in the 40th minute of this game, it all changed.

After a desperate clearance from the box by Calvin Bassey after a Newcastle United clearance, the ball floated outside the box to where Bruno Guimaraes, the Newcastle midfielder lurked.

Bam!

With a delicate touch outside the box, this midfielder tamed the ball and then with another touch to set himself up, he launched his leg backward to gather momentum and power, then…

POW!

The sound as Guimareas' leg hit the ball reverberated like a gunshot.

It was a knuckle shot!

The ball rose above the heads of Fulham players who tried to put their body on the line to block the shot, rising high into the air and just as Bernd Leno just watched it rising above his net, the ball seemed to pause…, and then it dipped.

"…!" The Fulham goalkeeper was alarmed but it was already too late.

The ball found its way into the net.

"…!" St. James Park was briefly silenced, and then…

"GOALLL…!!!" The home fans found their voice.

In the 40th minute of this game, Bruno Guimareas brought the home side level, adding even more drama value to this game.