Hat-Trick Hero's Daring Slide
Just moments after taking the corner kick.
Iyaaaaaaaah—
I step slightly out from beside the corner flag, no need to move any further.
The ball curves beautifully, shaking Arsenal's net.
Honestly, I didn't aim for it at all.
I just judged that Arsenal's set-piece defense was objectively superior, so an irregular trajectory would have a higher chance than a straightforward shot.
I never imagined it would go straight in.
Dazed, I stand frozen in place, and I spot my teammates waiting in Arsenal's penalty box rushing toward me.
"Ah...!"
At the same time, my personal goal flashes in my mind, and I start running too.
I'm heading toward the stands in the center of the pitch.
It's a bit of a distance from here, but no big deal.
Having already clocked Victoria's position, I bolt straight there.
"Wha—whoa...! Where you going!!!"
My sudden move throws my Manchester United teammates into panic as they chase after me.
I ignore them and charge toward Victoria.
Shwoooosh—
A clean knee slide, slicing through the grass.
At the same time, I extend my right index and middle fingers in a V-shape, pointing forward.
The V points straight at Victoria Smith.
She's wearing such a satisfied expression, it makes the hat-trick feel worth it.
"Victory United!!"
"""Victory United!!!"""
The away fans join my lead chant.
These fans who come all the way to an away game to cheer us on—excluding Victoria—are incredibly precious.
"Huff... Yeager! Why'd you run all the way here for that?!"
"Uh... ...this isn't a reverse run, right?"
Thinking about it, the opponent just happens to be Arsenal.
——
Ban Yeager's corner kick shakes Arsenal's net without touching any other player.
He immediately runs to the fans, and with the goal confirmed, the score becomes 4:3.
Manchester United pulls off the comeback.
"What was that about? If it was mocking the opponents' fans, I'd have to card you."
As I head back to position for restart, the ref approaches with a verbal warning.
"Ah, sorry. Wasn't my intent—I was just running to my girlfriend. We had a deal."
"...I get it, but repeat it and you might get a card depending on the situation."
"Got it."
Luckily, no card this time.
I didn't run to Arsenal fans or traverse the whole pitch like Adebayor.
It's barely different from sprinting to the corner flag after a long-range goal.
Still, knowing what Arsenal fans might recall, better not repeat it.
Regardless, only 3 minutes left in normal time.
Added time won't be long.
But.
Iyaaaaaaaah—
I never expected another goal with under 10 minutes left.
"Yeager... no, right?!"
"Grab him, everyone!!"
"No, I'm not going!!!"
Fearing another controversial celebration, my Manchester United teammates pile on me right after the goal.
I end up buried under the weight of the incoming players.
"Gah!!—"
From the outside, it looks like a touching scene of the squad mobbing their ace who flipped a sure-loss game.
——
The Manchester United vs Arsenal match draws massive attention.
All that spotlight shifts to Ban Yeager.
Up to halftime, everyone was certain United would lose.
Then in the second half alone, Yeager bags a hat-trick to lead the win.
Full match: a monstrous 4 goals and 1 assist—he made all five United goals.
Beyond the dominance, another reason grabs eyes.
His celebration—edging on reverse run territory.
Not just suspicion: everyone watching recalled Adebayor's infamous run.
Post-match interview reveals his girlfriend was there, promised a celebration on goal—earning him the romantic tag.
Naturally, "Who is Ban Yeager's girlfriend?" articles and posts explode.
Just 7 rounds in, but Manchester United climbs to 1st.
Long race with 31 games left, but tasting the top...
For a club that endured 15 years of decline and relegation, returning to the summit is huge.
A day later, Crystal Palace vs Liverpool kicks off.
The Premier League reminds us once more: anything can happen in this insane league.