CHAPTER 338: BLAST THE HORN!

In the third round of the English Premier League, Manchester City faced Bolton Wanderers at home. Richard was determined for City to secure a victory in this match—he had already warned O’Neill in advance.

The atmosphere in the stadium was electrifying, and even the seasoned Sky Sports commentators were caught up in the excitement.

"Hello, everyone! It’s Martin Tyler and Andy Gray back with you this weekend for the latest round of Premier League action. Manchester City, who struggled during pre-season and haven’t looked entirely convincing in their opening league matches, are up against newly promoted Bolton Wanderers. In yesterday’s press conference, City’s manager O’Neill said only one thing—he implied that City’s target this season is the title, even though this is just their second season back in the top flight. Andy, what do you make of that?"

"Many believe he’s just being overconfident," Andy replied, "but I see it differently. Remember, last season City had just been promoted, yet they managed to finish second. Moreover, looking at their last two matches, Martin—the midfield now includes new signings like Makelele and Zidane. Don’t you see how much smoother their transition from defense to attack has become compared to last season?"

Even though he arguably still needs time to fully adapt, Zidane has already brought elegance and control to the heart of the midfield. He’s dictating the tempo, threading passes through tight spaces, and pulling defenders out of position like a master conductor.

And let’s not forget Makelele—he may not attract the same headlines as Zidane or Ronaldo, but he’s the glue that holds the midfield together. His ability to read the game, break up opposition attacks, and provide cover for the back line has given City the much-needed balance they’ve long lacked with Pirlo and Van Bommel.

In the locker room, the atmosphere was electric. The players were fired up, each one mentally preparing for the important clash ahead. O’Neill had done his job well—his words cut through the tension and fueled the team’s focus.

"The horn for our Premier League title chase sounds today," he declared firmly. "Until we lift that trophy, no one lets up. I refuse to be the coach who took this club to second place, only to fade into mediocrity the following season."

The message was clear—and it struck deep. A powerful belief swept through the squad: today, we win.

This season marked a significant Chapter in Bolton Wanderers F.C.’s history—it was their return to the FA Premier League after winning the Football League First Division the previous year.

Bolton began the campaign as the strongest-looking of the newly promoted sides, especially after breaking their transfer record by signing Wimbledon striker Dean Holdsworth for £3.5 million. They made an immediate statement by holding Manchester United to a 0–0 draw in the league opener.

PHWEEEEE~

The match had begun, and both Bolton and Manchester City were evenly matched in the early moments. In their last encounter, City had secured a victory at Burnden Park in the League Cup, and given their strong performances in the previous two league matches, it was expected that Bolton would be eager to earn at least a point against a City side now facing high expectations.

However, their hopes were quickly dashed.

City dominated possession from the first whistle.

At the back, the center-back duo of Cannavaro and Thuram was rock solid. They consistently broke up every Bolton attack as soon as the ball entered City’s defensive third.

Up front, the inclusion of Ronaldo and Larsson as the strike partnership, along with the more assist-minded full-backs Capdevila and Zanetti, significantly boosted City’s offensive capabilities. Pirlo continued to impress with his vision, while Zidane remained the focal point of the attack, drawing defenders and creating space for others—especially Pirlo, who now had more freedom to orchestrate the tempo.

Last season had been crucial for Pirlo—it served as a rite of passage, significantly boosting his confidence and cementing his role as City’s midfield conductor. Previously, he had to contend with the physical presence of Van Bommel, whose aggression often led to fouls or cards. Pirlo, on the other hand, relied on his intelligence to read the game and intercept passes.

Now, with Makelele by his side, things were different. Unlike the emotional Van Bommel, Makelele was calm, composed, and tactically disciplined. With Lennon pulling defenders forward—especially Zidane—Pirlo was free to control the midfield with precision and poise.

As a result, City’s attacking rhythm was fluid and relentless, constantly stretching Bolton’s back line and probing for openings.

Attacks flowed toward Bolton’s goal like a relentless tide, and even when City’s offensive plays ended, Bolton’s counterattacks quickly broke down.

City’s defensive unity and tactical discipline were impressive; their forwards didn’t just track back for appearance—they actively disrupted Bolton’s structure. Once they regained possession, the transition to offense was immediate, pushing forward aggressively.

Players like Makelele, Cannavaro, and Thuram swiftly etched their presence into the minds of the crowd. Fans in the stands even asked each other who they were—especially Thuram. Last season, he hadn’t seen much playtime, losing his spot to Ferdinand and Gallas.

But now, with Gallas sidelined due to a mild hamstring strain, Thuram stepped up. Unexpectedly, in the last two matches, City had kept clean sheets, and O’Neill had every reason to trust this defensive unit.

The reason fans loved Thuram was simple—he embodied toughness and grit. He didn’t shy away from physical battles, and that no-nonsense attitude resonated deeply with English supporters. To them, football is a man’s game—they want intensity, blood, and heart. Any player who avoids the fight quickly loses their respect.

City’s offensive shape was equally precise, with proper spacing between the lines, creating constant threats from the front while maintaining control of secondary opportunities.

After a quick one-two with Zanetti, Zidane darted to the byline and whipped in a perfect cross to Neil Lennon. Lennon’s header clattered off the crossbar, bouncing back into play.

Before the crowd could react, Larsson met the rebound with a leaping header, scoring past Bolton’s grounded goalkeeper, Keith Branagan.

"Henrik Larsson scores! That’s his second goal this season. He salvaged one against Barnsley last week, and now he’s struck again. He’s clearly in top form! Left foot, right foot, header—he’s doing it all. And let’s not forget—Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him this summer, but City rejected the offer without hesitation. That rejection’s now paying dividends!"

Larsson embraced Ronaldo after scoring. Despite having been with the club for a year, Larsson still seemed somewhat reserved—not due to lack of skill, but his personality. Even when scoring, he rarely celebrated too wildly, perhaps afraid of the scrutiny that might follow a bad game.

On the touchline, O’Neill stood clapping and smiling. His decision to stick with a 4-4-2 formation, despite Mourinho’s suggestion to shift away from it, was proving wise.

After all, both Ronaldo and Larsson were pure strikers. They were scorers, not creators. On the right flank, Zanetti could provide reliable crosses, and in the center, Zidane was an all-around threat. With Capdevila supporting from the left and Ronaldo dropping deeper at times, the pressure on the Makelele–Pirlo pivot was eased, giving them room to operate.

Bolton couldn’t establish rhythm or hold onto the ball. It wasn’t just that City kept possession—they pressed exceptionally well. For a team already lacking sharpness in their passing game, it was nearly impossible to penetrate City’s disciplined defense.

Thirteen minutes in, Zidane and Larsson executed a textbook one-two on the left edge of the box. Larsson flicked the ball forward, and Zidane surged ahead, unleashing a powerful shot. The keeper managed to block it with his chest, but the ball spilled loose—right into Ronaldo’s path. The Brazilian calmly tapped it into the empty net.

"Finally, Il Fenomeno scores! Bloody hell—seven goals in just three matches! He’s a nightmare for defenders!"

The Bolton keeper lay on the ground, having taken Zidane’s shot square in the chest. It felt like being hit with a sledgehammer. He needed nearly three minutes of medical attention before he could stand again.

In the 40th minute, Pirlo stepped up, collecting a pass from Zidane and driving forward. He slipped a pinpoint through ball that split the defense. Ronaldo timed his run perfectly, squared the ball unselfishly to Larsson, who slotted it in at the far post.

Manchester City 3 – 0 Bolton Wanderers

In first-half stoppage time, Pirlo delivered a corner, and Cannavaro rose highest, smashing a header into the net.

BOOM!

City’s front line had all found the net within just 45 minutes.

Second Half: Total Domination

In the second half, Bolton dropped deeper to avoid further humiliation, but City’s attack only intensified.

In the 60th minute, O’Neill made two substitutions: Pires replaced Neil Lennon, and Thierry Henry came on for Larsson.

The remaining time became a full-blown siege of Bolton’s goal.

In the 70th minute, Zidane, receiving a pass from Zanetti, launched a stunning long-range strike into the top corner—City’s fifth goal of the game.

City were firing on all cylinders. Every attack looked like a goal in the making. O’Neill finally took a seat, only rising to applaud each goal.

To be fair, a 6- or 7-goal victory over Bolton wasn’t an earth-shaking achievement. The quality gap was evident. What set City apart was their tempo and pressing. Their tactical philosophy was ahead of its time, relying on non-stop running and synchronized movement. O’Neill didn’t know how long they could maintain this physical edge—but for now, it gave them a clear advantage.

More importantly, the players believed in the system. It wasn’t about one man elevating the team—it was about a collective pursuit of excellence.

The new fitness program introduced last season was bearing fruit. With every match, the squad’s technical quality improved.

In the 83rd minute, Zidane once again received a pass from Makelele and blasted it home—his second goal of the match.

Manchester City 6 – 0 Bolton Wanderers

Richard leapt up, arms raised in celebration. That goal was a thing of beauty—a fast-paced sequence of eight passes, each one opening up space until the final shot. The team’s chemistry was on full display.

Back on the bench, O’Neill eased into his seat with a satisfied grin. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Mourinho furiously scribbling in his little black notebook like he was decoding the Da Vinci Code.

He chuckled. "Those kinds of goals can’t be coached. We don’t rehearse them. The players just train on the basics. The beauty emerges when they improvise under pressure."

Mourinho nodded, though he kept writing.

O’Neill sighed. He couldn’t help but lean back, muttering, "We hired a beautiful footballing mind... and a footballing madman."