214: Coveted by all of England

The Hartlepool United players followed closely.

Vardy stood tall, Henderson clenched his fists, and De Bruyne and Coutinho exchanged glances, the two young geniuses nodding in unspoken understanding.

Victoria Park Stadium was packed to capacity.

Forty thousand fans sang in unison, their voices shaking the ground.

A giant TIFO unfolded in the stands, depicting a blue and white dragon devouring a blue lion.

The whistle for the start of the match sounded.

Chelsea immediately displayed the demeanor of a powerhouse.

Drogba's role as a pivot in the front field was evident, with the Ivorian striker attracting multiple defenders every time he touched the ball.

Lampard's midfield orchestration was orderly, and the English midfielder's passes were precise and threatening.

Hartlepool United's offense encountered a true iron wall for the first time.

The center-back pairing of Terry and Alex was impenetrable, their coordination seamless.

Ashley Cole's defense on the left flank was watertight, with the English full-back's tackles always perfectly timed.

By the 30th minute of the first half, Hartlepool United still hadn't created any real scoring opportunities.

De Bruyne had the ball in midfield, the Belgian youth trying to find a passing lane, but the double pivot barrier formed by Lampard and Essien left him no room to maneuver.

Although Coutinho's dribbling on the wing was brilliant, facing Chelsea's tight defensive system, the Brazilian youth also seemed somewhat powerless.

Lin Feng frowned in the box.

The system interface appeared in his mind, and Chelsea's defensive data was clear at a glance.

Ancelotti's tactical setup was perfect; the Italian had blocked all of Hartlepool United's attacking routes in the simplest way possible.

But Lin Feng quickly discovered a flaw.

While Chelsea's defensive system was strong, it wasn't without gaps.

When Ashley Cole pushed forward to attack, Terry had to cover the wing, which would leave a brief void in the center.

During halftime, Lin Feng informed Old John of this discovery via text message.

The Scottish old man displayed the tactics board in the locker room, his finger pointing to the weak links in Chelsea's defense.

“Coutinho, in the second half, you need to be a drill.”

Old John's words were concise and clear.

The Brazilian youth nodded, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

He understood his mission: to use his close-range dribbling and breakthrough ability to strike at the opponent's vital points.

As the second half began, Hartlepool United's tactics underwent a subtle change.

Coutinho ostensibly remained active on the left flank, but in reality, he was constantly ready to cut inside.

The Brazilian youth's footwork was unmatched in the Championship, and even against Chelsea's defense, he was confident he could create a miracle.

In the 72nd minute, the opportunity finally arrived.

Ashley Cole pushed forward to attack, and Terry moved to the wing as per tactical instructions.

At that very moment, Coutinho received a pass from De Bruyne.

The Brazilian youth did not choose to break through along the wing, but instead decisively cut inside.

Mikel was the first to rush forward, but Coutinho faked a brilliant move to get past the Serbian midfielder.

Alex followed closely, and the Brazilian youth again used a change of direction to shake off his opponent.

Terry realized the danger and desperately rushed back to the center, but it was too late; Coutinho had already reached the edge of the box.

The Brazilian youth lifted his left foot, aiming for the far corner of the goal.

The ball traced an incredible arc, spinning through the air towards its target.

Čech made a desperate save, but the ball's trajectory was too tricky.

Bang!

The ball struck the inside of the far post and then bounced into the net!

Victoria Park Stadium exploded instantly!

Forty thousand fans stood up simultaneously, their voices echoing to the sky.

Coutinho ran wildly with arms outstretched, excitement and emotion written all over the Brazilian youth's face.

1-0!

Hartlepool United took the lead!

This goal completely ignited the passion of the entire stadium.

Fans in the stands waved their scarves frantically, and songs resounded throughout the entire stadium.

Chelsea immediately launched a furious counterattack.

Drogba's charges in the box became even more ferocious, with the Ivorian striker's every header making Schmeichel's heart pound.

Lampard's long-range shots continuously threatened the goal, the English midfielder's right-footed cannonballs striking fear.

But Hartlepool United's defense was equally tenacious.

Smalling and Nelson formed an iron wall in the center, their coordination becoming increasingly telepathic.

Simpson and Robson ran tirelessly on the wings, giving their all in every defensive effort.

The most crucial factor was Schmeichel's performance.

The Danish goalkeeper displayed world-class quality in this match.

In the 85th minute, Drogba's header was powerful, but Schmeichel flew to save it, tipping the ball over the crossbar.

In the 89th minute, Lampard's long-range shot was tricky, but the Danish goalkeeper once again averted danger.

The final whistle blew!

Hartlepool United defeated Chelsea 1-0, making it to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in history!

Victoria Park Stadium erupted completely, with fans rushing onto the pitch to celebrate with the players.

This was one of the greatest victories in the club's history, defeating Premier League powerhouse Chelsea.

Coutinho was tossed high by his teammates; the Brazilian youth's wonder goal would be remembered forever.

Vardy clenched his fists and roared to the sky, the English striker knowing the team was one step closer to their "treble" dream.

Lin Feng embraced Sophie tightly in the box.

The significance of this victory far exceeded the score itself.

Hartlepool United proved they could contend with any opponent, even a powerhouse like Chelsea.

At the post-match press conference, Ancelotti appeared unusually calm.

The Italian did not complain, nor did he make excuses.

He stood up gracefully and bowed to the reporters.

“They deserved this victory.”

Ancelotti's words were concise and sincere.

On his way to the away team's locker room, the Italian deliberately detoured to the home team's dugout.

Old John was packing up his tactics board, the Scottish old man's face full of excitement and enthusiasm.

Ancelotti extended his hand, and the two coaches shook hands firmly.

“Tell your boss.”

Ancelotti's voice was low and powerful, and the Italian looked deeply towards the direction of the substitutes' bench.

“We'll be waiting for him in the Premier League.”

This sentence contained a wealth of meaning.

It was both an acknowledgment of Hartlepool United's strength and an anticipation of future encounters.

As night fell, Victoria Park Stadium gradually quieted down.

But the entire town of Hartlepool remained immersed in the joy of victory.

Fans in the pubs raised their glasses in celebration, and people were still singing the team's anthem in the streets.

Inside the club office, Lin Feng sat alone in the dark.

The opponents for the FA Cup semi-finals were yet to be determined, but no matter who it was, Hartlepool United was ready.

Defeating Chelsea proved the team's strength and gave everyone greater confidence.

The dream of a "treble" had never been so close.

The Championship title was already within reach, and the League Cup trophy was already sparkling in the trophy room.

Now, the FA Cup was also within grasp.

Lin Feng picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip.

The bitter taste spread across his tongue, but the lingering sweetness was endlessly enjoyable.

Just like tonight's match, difficulties made victory even sweeter.

The morning light at Phoenix Training Center streamed through the glass curtain wall into the interior, casting mottled shadows on the training ground.

The afterglow of defeating Chelsea still lingered in the air, but Lin Feng had already set his sights on a more distant future.

He stood in front of the office's floor-to-ceiling window, holding a thick stack of newspapers.

Every front page was discussing the same topic—the possibility of a "treble."

The Times' headline was particularly striking: "Miracle or Inevitable? Hartlepool United's Path to a Dynasty."

The Guardian was even more direct: "From League Two to the Premier League, this team is redefining the impossible."

Sophie pushed the door open, carrying two cups of coffee.

Her face showed a hint of fatigue, but her eyes were still bright.

“The media is insane.”

She placed the coffee on Lin Feng's desk, a hint of awe in her voice.

“The phone hasn't stopped all night; journalists from all over the world want to interview you.”

Lin Feng took a sip of coffee, the bitter taste spreading across his tongue.

He turned to face Sophie, a profound glint in his eyes.

“Let them wait.

Now is not the time to speak.”

The FA Cup semi-final draw ceremony was held in London.

On live television, the host's hand reached into the glass container filled with numbered balls.

All of England held its breath in anticipation.

The first ball drawn was number 8—Hartlepool United.

The second ball slowly unfolded in the host's hand, bearing a familiar name—Arsenal.

The fans' pub at Victoria Park Stadium instantly erupted in a huge cheer.

This was fate's arrangement, and an opportunity for revenge.

This was the third match against the Gunners this season, and Hartlepool United had won the previous two.

Wenger was interviewed at Arsenal's training ground.

The Frenchman's expression was complex, showing both resignation and anticipation.

“It seems our destiny with Hartlepool United is not yet over.”

His voice carried a bitter tone.

“At Wembley, we hope for a different outcome.”

The reactions from major European powerhouses were even swifter.

In Real Madrid's scout report, Vardy's name was heavily circled in red.

Barcelona's technical director wrote "immediate contact" on De Bruyne's file.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal—cars from Hartlepool were parked outside every club.

Scouts carried thick checkbooks, ready to offer any price.

The club's parking lot had turned into a luxury car exhibition.

Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces—each car represented the sincerity of a powerhouse club.

Richard Arnold's phone rang non-stop.

Every call was a sky-high offer, every number enough to make one dizzy.

But Lin Feng's response remained consistent.

“Tell them, we welcome any offer.”

His voice was calm and firm.

“But the premise is that the offer needs to match the player's future value, not current value.”

The subtext of this statement was clear—either offer an irresistible price, or don't waste time.

Inside the locker room, contract negotiations were underway.

Vardy sat at the negotiating table, the English striker's expression relaxed and confident.

“I don't want to go anywhere else.”

His words were concise and powerful.

“This is my home.”

De Bruyne's contract extension also went smoothly.

The Belgian youth didn't even look at the contract terms, directly signing his name on the last page.

“Money is not important.”

He looked up at Lin Feng, his eyes filled with respect.

“What's important is to make history with these brothers.”

Coutinho's father flew from Brazil specifically to participate in his son's contract negotiations.

The Brazilian was deeply moved by the club's sincerity and immediately agreed to all terms.

The blueprint of a business empire was quietly expanding.

Lin Feng leveraged the signs of recovery after the financial crisis to integrate the assets he had acquired at rock-bottom prices.

The inauguration ceremony of "Northern Energy" was held in London.

This company integrated all of Lin Feng's investments in oil, natural gas, and renewable energy.

The board members included several industry giants, each name capable of shaking the financial markets.

"Northern Technology" followed closely.

This company focused on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and virtual reality.

Lin Feng personally served as chairman, applying the most advanced technology to the field of football.

Sophie stood at the construction site of the "Northern Dragon Arena," her beautiful hair fluttering in the wind beneath her hard hat.

Sixty-five thousand seats were nearing completion, with every detail reflecting the highest standards.

“Has the guest list for the unveiling ceremony been finalized?”

She turned to ask the engineer beside her.

“Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed his attendance, and Beckenbauer and Cruyff will also be there.

On the business side, Abramovich and Florentino are both on the list.”

This would be an unprecedented grand event, with the eyes of the world focused on the small town of Hartlepool.

Sophie's desk was piled high with wedding planning materials.

She had resigned from her job as a journalist, dedicating herself entirely to the establishment of the "Hartlepool United Club Foundation."

The foundation's first project was to provide free football equipment to all local primary schools.

Every child would receive professional football training, and every seed would have the opportunity to grow into a towering tree.

“This is not just charity.”

Sophie spoke at the foundation's inaugural meeting.

“This is an investment, an investment in the future of this community.”

On the training ground, the players were undergoing high-intensity scrimmage training.

Sweat glistened on their cheeks, and every sprint was given their all.

Lin Feng stood on the sidelines, observing every detail.

There were five games remaining in the Championship, and his goal was to win all of them to secure the title early.

“We must win all five of the upcoming matches.”

Old John's voice echoed across the training ground.

“Only then can we devote all our energy to the battle at Wembley.”

The players responded in unison, their voices shaking the ground.

Everyone understood the importance of this goal, and everyone was willing to give their all for it.

“If we win the league early, how much will the bonus be?”

Vardy asked jokingly.

“A record-breaking figure.”

Lin Feng's answer made everyone's eyes light up.