Chapter 39: Crowning Glory
[Drop some powers, leave a comment or review if you want. And also quick question is the story flopping, the last two chapters haven't been doing so good, lmao.]
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Being tied by Brighton at home ended Leicester City's impressive winning streak, leaving the players feeling somewhat downcast. After returning to the Belvoir base on the team bus, Pearson gathered all the first-team players into the tactical room for a brief team meeting.
The players were apprehensive, fearing Pearson might be dissatisfied with their recent performance. However, what they didn't expect was for Pearson, usually so serious, to smile and reassure them.
"Guys, don't be too hard on yourselves. Our performance this season has been remarkable," he began. "We broke the league's winning streak, made it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and secured our promotion spot eight rounds early."
As Pearson's steady voice echoed in the room, the unease and disappointment among the Leicester City players gradually faded.
"This draw doesn't diminish the hard work and effort we've put in this season!" he continued. "So, don't dwell on it. Go home and rest well! We need to stay focused for our next game and clinch the league title!"
With their head coach's encouraging words, the players felt reinvigorated, channeling their energies into preparing for the crucial championship match ahead.
Notably, during the training break, Tristan received his third Championship Player of the Month trophy! With an astounding performance that included three goals and seven assists in seven league games throughout March, he had propelled Leicester City to seven consecutive victories, earning the award without a hint of competition. This marked his third time winning the Player of the Month award this season, making him the only player to achieve such a feat.
On that day, images of Tristan, beaming while holding the Player of the Month trophy, once again graced the front pages of Leicester City's official social media and local newspapers. Many believed that at just 18 years old, he had already secured the title for the best young player of the season in the Championship. The only lingering question was whether he would also be a candidate for the best player of the season.
Despite Tristan's remarkable stats and his pivotal role in the team's success, some doubted his ability to maintain such high performance over the entire season compared to other players. Discussions ignited among fans and commentators, with one camp advocating for Tristan's selection based on his contributions, while the opposing side pointed out that he had only played half a season.
As the EFL (English Football League) prepared to announce the candidates at month's end, anticipation built.
Three days later, Leicester City faced a crucial match in the 42nd round of the league. Just before leaving for the away game, the team received exciting news: Burnley had unexpectedly lost 0-1 to Middlesbrough!
While the news was surprising, it didn't overly excite the Leicester City players. They knew that a win against Reading would secure the league title four rounds early, regardless of Burnley's result.
Ironically, their potential championship opponent was Reading, the former record holder for consecutive Championship victories. Having previously won the league in the 2005-06 and 2012-13 seasons, Reading was determined not to play the role of mere spectators in Leicester City's title triumph.
However, when the match kicked off at Madejski Stadium, it quickly became apparent that Leicester City was there to dominate. From the whistle, the Foxes unleashed an onslaught, and each player had one singular thought: win the game, win the championship!
As the referee blew the whistle to start the game, Leicester immediately asserted their dominance. Mahrez received the ball on the right flank, skillfully dribbling past a defender. He delivered a precise cross into the box, his eyes scanning for the perfect target.
"Mahrez has the ball! He swings in a fantastic cross—Tristan is making a run!" The commentator's voice echoed through the stadium as Tristan surged into the box, timing his jump perfectly to meet the ball.
With a powerful header, Tristan found the back of the net. The crowd erupted in cheers. "It's a brilliant header! GOAL! Tristan scores! Leicester City is off to a flying start, 1-0 up! What a moment for the young star!"
The Foxes were relentless, pushing forward with fluid passing and quick transitions. Reading struggled to regain their composure, and Leicester took full advantage. Just twelve minutes later, in the 22nd minute, a slick one-two between Vardy and Tristan created space on the edge of the penalty area.
"Tristan receives the ball again! He's got space—he's going for it!" The commentator's excitement built as Tristan unleashed a powerful shot, curling it beautifully into the bottom corner of the net.
"What a strike! Tristan scores again! That's his second goal of the match! Leicester City leads 2-0!"
With their confidence soaring, Leicester continued to press. In the 38th minute, Mahrez was brought down in the box, earning a penalty. The tension in the stadium grew as the crowd held its breath.
"Penalty for Leicester! Mahrez was taken down—this could be a crucial moment!" Mahrez stepped up to take the penalty, his composure unwavering as he sent the ball into the net.
"And it's in! Mahrez scores the penalty! Leicester City is now up 3-0 just before halftime!" The players celebrated, knowing they were in a commanding position.
As the whistle blew for halftime, Leicester led 3-0, leaving the players to regroup and refocus in the locker room.
The second half began with Leicester looking to maintain their momentum. In the 63rd minute, Tristan found himself in a prime scoring position once again. He collected the ball just outside the penalty area, taking a few touches to set himself up.
"Tristan has the ball—he's been exceptional today! Can he complete his hat-trick? His second hat-trick of the season!" The excitement in the commentator's voice mirrored the tension in the stadium as Tristan dribbled past a defender and aimed for the far corner.
He shot, and the ball rocketed into the net. "GOAL! Hat-trick for Tristan! What a phenomenal performance! Leicester City now leads 4-0!"
As the net rippled, the fans erupted in cheers, their voices rising in unison.
"Tristan! Tristan!
From Leicester, he's our shining star!
With every pass, he takes us far!
His vision's sharp, his touch is gold,
A football tale that's yet to be told!"
The chorus filled the stadium, echoing off the walls as the supporters celebrated their hero.
"Tristan! Tristan!
With skill and heart, he'll lead the way!
A hero on the pitch, watch him play!
Tristan! Tristan!
We cheer for you, our pride today!"
The jubilant atmosphere wrapped around Tristan, who raised his arms in acknowledgment, soaking in the love and support from the fans before halftime.
Everyone knew the championship title was within grasp, secured without any suspense. The scene of popping champagne at halftime was absent, for this wasn't a fairy tale comeback; Reading was no Liverpool, and Leicester City was no AC Milan.
As the teams returned for the second half, Leicester City, brimming with confidence, continued to dominate. They pressed hard against Reading, refusing to give them any room to breathe. The home side struggled to mount a challenge against the relentless Foxes, who seemed to be operating on a different level.
"Leicester City is showing their class here! They're making it look easy against Reading," the commentator remarked, his voice filled with excitement as Leicester launched another attack.
In the 60th minute, Tristan stood over a corner kick. The anticipation in the stadium was palpable. He took a deep breath, eyeing his teammates in the box, especially Captain Morgan.
"Tristan's delivery has been spot on today—this could be dangerous!"
Tristan swung the ball into the box, and Captain Morgan rose above the defenders, connecting with a powerful header that bulged the net. "GOAL! Morgan scores from the corner! Leicester City leads 5-0!"
With the score at 5-0, the stadium erupted. The fans were on their feet, chanting for Tristan, their voices swelling with pride.
As the match approached its conclusion, Leicester maintained control, displaying a masterclass in possession. Finally, the referee's whistle pierced the air: two short blasts followed by a long one, marking the end of the game. The scoreboard confirmed it: Leicester City 5, Reading 0.
"Reading simply couldn't compete today! They were completely outclassed," the commentator said, summarizing the match. "Leicester City, champions of the Championship with four rounds to spare! What a season!"
As the final whistle blew, the stats for Tristan flashed on the screen: 3 goals, 1 assists, a pass accuracy of 92%, and a game rating of 9.3. He had been instrumental in securing this victory, his performance a true highlight of the match.
Just seconds after the final whistle, thousands of Leicester City fans began to sing in unison, celebrating their team's achievement and their star player's outstanding performance.
The jubilant chorus echoed throughout the stadium as Tristan, filled with adrenaline, rushed onto the pitch with his teammates. They formed a circle, jumping up and down, hands raised in celebration.
The energy was electric as the players celebrated their monumental achievement. They had not only won the match but had also secured the Championship title, a testament to their hard work and determination throughout the season.
Amid the celebration, Tristan's mind raced. "Where's the championship trophy? Are we having a trophy ceremony?" he asked, looking to Mahrez, who shared his confusion.
Mahrez scratched his head, "Yeah, I was wondering the same thing! Is there no ceremony for winning the championship?"
The two of them rushed to find Coach Pearson, who was busy celebrating with the staff. "Boss, where's our championship trophy?" they asked in unison.
Pearson chuckled at their innocent question. "Fools! This is someone else's home ground. Even if there were a ceremony, it would be held at our home stadium."
Tristan and Mahrez exchanged sheepish looks, then burst into laughter at their first-time champions' blunder. Their joy was infectious, and the locker room celebration continued as they returned.
Once in the visiting team's locker room, the players blasted Queen's classic anthem, "We Are the Champions," marking the start of the second round of their celebration. The air was filled with laughter and camaraderie as they soaked in the moment.
Head coach Pearson announced the good news: "Tomorrow is a day off! But remember, just three cups tonight! We have a match at Wembley in three days. If anyone is late for training or comes in hungover, you can forget about playing!"
Cheers erupted throughout the room, each player ready to revel in their triumph while remaining focused on the challenges ahead.
As Leicester City celebrated their stunning victory, the media flooded with headlines: "Foxes Win the Championship!" "Leicester City, kings of the Championship!" Their success had once again put this small city team in the spotlight of English football.