Rise of a Football God

(Premier league:)

(Matchday 31)

(Fulham – Newcastle)

(6th April, 2024)

After further extensive tests at the wake of the Nothingham Forest game, the fear of Fulham fans across the world were finally allayed.

The doctors confirmed that Sam did indeed suffer a muscular problem but it was just a minor tear, he would be available for selection in Fulham's next game.

Coach Marco Silva was the most relieved person by this news.

The Newcastle game had special meaning to the Fulham players and fans. Afterall, it was Newcastle who knocked them out of the FA Cup in the 4th round.

This game was like a revenge game and since it was going to be played in Craven Cottage, Fulham's home, the players and fans were determined to win.

During the build-up to the game, Sam could not train with his teammates as he focused on recovering from his minor injury.

And for the first game in months since forcing his way into the Fulham starting XI, Sam was not on the Fulham starting XI. He started on the bench.

Both teams started with their strongest available lineups.

With Sam injured, Pereira finally returned to the Fulham starting XI, forming the 4-man offense alongside Willian in the left, Alex Iwobi on the right, and Muniz starting as the striker.

Behind them were Joao Palhinha and Cairney in defensive midfield, while the 4-man defense comprised Castagne, Adarabioyo, Calvin Bassey, and Robinson.

Bernd Leno started in between the posts.

Newcastle United did not pull their punches either as the likes of Aleksander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, and Kierran Tripper all started.

After Fulham's recent run of 2 games without a win, this team was determined to return to winning ways in the league.

Buoyed by the loud noise being made by their fans, the Fulham players played their best football against Newcastle, taking the battle to them but as the superior team on paper, Newcastle United also refused to give an inch.

It was a game of pound for pound filled with exciting battles all over the pitch.

The first half was a cagey affair that ended goalless.

When second half started though, both teams showed certain signs of fatigue and exhaustion but the game continued at a very high intensity.

Both teams kept on going at each other, going on dangerous attack after attack as the offensive players of both sides tried their best to impose themselves on the game and be the difference maker.

The defense was on top of its game though, both teams defending doggedly to keep the game scoreless until the 80th minute of the game.

The deadlock was broken, sending all Fulham hearts across the world to despair, seemingly dooming them to a 2nd consecutive loss in the league.

Winning the ball back in midfield, Bruno Guimaraes, the elite Newcastle midfielder who dominated in the fluid Newcastle 4-3-3 formation drove forward a bit with the ball before unleashing a thunderous shot to score a worldie.

The ball went straight towards the roof of the net at the center, but the reason why it beat Leno was because of the tremendous power behind the shot.

It almost tore the net open, breaking the deadlock in tyrannical fashion.

After trying their best all game only to concede so late, the Fulham players gave up but shortly after was when Coach Marco Silva finally said f*ck it.

He pulled the plug late, retrieving Pereira just 2 minutes later in the 83rd minute and taking the risk to introduce Sam into this game after confirming with the player that he was fit enough to play.

At some point, Coach Marco Silva already took off Willian as he introduced De Cordova-Reid into this game and this player contributed to the miracle that followed after Sam entered the pitch.

Sam didn't even need to chant his mantra this time. Having watched his team play and be frustrated for 80 minutes, his blood was boiling.

As soon as he stepped foot into the pitch, he went to work, doing what he did best, abusing his stamina to impose himself on the game.

With Sam's endless energy, it was clear immediately that the team was elevated with his presence because his teammates also started pressing more.

It happened in the 89th minute.

Palhinha won the ball back in midfield and without hesitation, he passed to Sam who skipped past a challenge, nutmegging a Newcastle player before quickly spreading the game open, threading a pass to the left where Cordovo-Reid lurked.

This left winger immediately erupted as soon as his leg got the ball, taking it in his strides as he turned Kieran Tripper, the English right back inside out before floating a cross into the box.

Sam was the one who passed the ball to De Cordova-Reid but in a moment of abusing his stamina again, he had been running since and when the left winger crossed the ball, he already arrived at the 18-yard box.

Jimenez who was already subbed into this game was marked tightly, including Alex Iwobi who lurked but the Newcastle players failed to do it all, failing to spot Sam's late run and that was what doomed them.

As Sam charged into the box, all his eyes were fixated on the ball.

And as it descended, he jumped and nodded powerfully.

BAM!Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Having increased his mastery of the power header skill to intermediate mastery already, Sam executed a perfect header, combining a mixture of power and placement that left Dubravka, the Tottenham goalkeeper with no chance.

The ball rushed towards the top left corner of the post before nestling in and immediately, the away fan section in Craven Cottage erupted.

While the commentator screamed, immediately waxing lyrical about the young Nigerian prodigy, the excited Fulham fans blasted in chants.

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

Tens of thousands of fans sang around this stadium.

In the 89th minute, Sam equalized, making it 1-1 to Fulham.

He celebrated his goal, charging towards the corner flag amid roars from the Fulham fans even as he slid on his knees, pointing to his head before the camera.

"Mentality," he mumbled to himself, grinning.

That goal took the momentum away from Newcastle United completely for the first time this game.

FWEEEE!

When play restarted, Fulham worked hard, chasing the winning goal as Sam stayed as the most dangerous player in the field of play.

Despite his effort and the team's overall effort, Newcastle were able to barely hang on and ride this game to an end.

The game ended 1-1, another draw and Sam won the man of the match award after rescuing his team again late from the throes of defeat.