But soon enough,
Kai realized—
Engaging in a direct offensive duel while sticking to Crystal Palace's 5-4-1 formation was like fighting with one hand tied behind their back.
In a counterattack-heavy game like this, Burnley's defense line didn't reposition fast.
Right now, Crystal Palace didn't need five at the back.
On the contrary, they needed to add at least one more attacker.
Kai glanced toward the bench.
Crystal Palace's other forward, Zaha, was sitting idly by, doing nothing.
Ten minutes later, Burnley scored again!
This team also focused on wing attacks and had blistering pace.
Their winger, facing Crystal Palace's defense, performed a feint with a quick step.
Veteran defender McCarthy tripped on his own feet—his leg cramped up!
The Burnley winger took advantage, broke into the box, and slotted it in.
0:2!
Burnley's away fans erupted in joy.
"This is the Crystal Palace on a four-match win streak?"
"Totally vulnerable!"
"Shattered under our relentless attack!"
"A relegation-tier team is still a relegation-tier team!"
McCarthy lay on the ground, clutching his leg, staring at the captain's armband on his arm, his heart a whirlwind of emotion.
In the past, he was the cornerstone of Palace's defense.
But for the past two seasons, he'd been the team's "biggest liability."
It only solidified his growing thoughts of retirement.
Meanwhile, more bad news came crashing down.
After the restart at midfield,
Burnley's aggressive, rugby-like style showed itself again—full of brute force and reckless charges.
Crystal Palace soon fell victim.
On a wing play,
Ambrose worked hard to intercept the ball from Burnley's winger,
then passed it off to Kai.
Kai turned, activated his "god's-eye view."
On the opposite wing, Galván was left completely unmarked.
No hesitation.
Kai launched a long pass,
sending the ball with pinpoint accuracy to Galván on the flank!
Galván sprinted forward,
relying on speed to push to the goal line—
then prepared for a cross into the box!
However...
Just as Galván hit full speed—he was stopped cold.
A Burnley player was hot in pursuit and didn't hold back.
A brutal, side-angle slide tackle!
"AHHHH!"
Galván screamed in pain—
He and the ball were both launched off the field!
He clutched his calf, writhing in agony!
WHAM!
The stands erupted in deafening boos!
Fans rose to their feet, screaming in fury!
BEEP!
The referee rushed over,
and issued a yellow card.
Burnley's coach on the sideline feigned innocence with a shrug.
Not far away, Holloway was roaring in rage toward the pitch:
"That's a career-ending tackle! He went for the plant leg!"
Millen charged over to the fourth official:
"You're just going to let them get away with this?! That's a RED CARD offense!"
Burnley's vicious foul ignited the fans' wrath—
Thunderous jeers filled the stadium!
Kai immediately rushed to Galván's side to check the injury.
"I can keep going,"
Galván gritted his teeth and stood up. His calf was already swollen.
All of Crystal Palace's players gathered around.
"Don't push it—this swelling could mean a fracture!"
The team medic arrived, urging Galván to come off.
But Galván refused, insisting he was fine.
"If I go off, we'll have no one attacking from the wings... I have to help. We're two goals down—Kai can't carry the whole team alone."
Hearing Galván's words,
Crystal Palace players exchanged looks, feeling the sting in their hearts.
Then—rage erupted!
They stormed toward the Burnley player who had committed the foul, yelling furiously!
BEEP! BEEP!
The referee blew the whistle repeatedly, pulling both teams apart.
"Take that bastard out!"
"Break his damn leg!"
Crystal Palace fans were livid, roaring down from the stands.
"Stay calm! Let the football do the talking!"
Kai rushed in, stepping between Burnley and his teammates.
Burnley players were tall and strong—
But Kai wasn't short either.
Without warning, Kai shoved one of them back.
The Burnley player, oddly enough, flinched.
From Crystal Palace's perspective,
they were down 0–2. If they lost players due to a brawl or card accumulation,
it would be a devastating blow.
Kai saw through the setup immediately!
Burnley loved playing dirty.
It was the calling card of this "Martial Arts FC" of the Championship.
Use dangerous fouls to stir up chaos—
whether injuring players or just messing with their mentality,
either outcome was a win for Burnley.
Especially since they were two goals ahead.
Break the opponent's spirit, end the match with a wave of pressure,
snapping Crystal Palace's winning streak,
and securing their top-two spot in the league.
That was Burnley's little plan.
Kai looked over at Burnley's head coach.
Their eyes met—
And the coach quickly looked away.
"Kai's right! Let the ball do the talking!"
On the sideline, Holloway's face was grim, anger suppressed.
He signaled his players to stay calm:
"All of London's media is watching us! Every move will be magnified. Don't fall into their trap!"
Crystal Palace players grumbled, but listened to Kai.
They didn't let the shouting devolve into an all-out brawl.
The stadium buzzed with noise.
The atmosphere grew tense—white-hot.
"He really is captain material—just like the reports said. Calm, with natural leadership,"
Mendes said from the stands, genuinely impressed.
"A big heart and composure—that's the rarest treasure in a pro footballer."
Next to him, Fan Sijing couldn't care less about any of that.
Her heart was only with Kai:
"Brother Kai, please don't get hurt!"
Back on the pitch,
Galván limped back into position.
"If you can't continue, signal the coach immediately,"
Kai reminded him.
Galván nodded gratefully and moved toward the box.
With Crystal Palace fans still furious,
both sides lined up near the penalty area.
A set-piece from the right flank.
Kai stood behind the ball.
On the sidelines, Holloway's chest rose and fell, barely holding back his fury.
He watched the pitch with laser focus.
They had no choice now.
Just like Kai said—let the ball speak.
If not, this 0–2 scoreline wouldn't just end their winning streak—
It would make all their recent bold claims to the media look like a complete joke!
BEEP!
The referee blew the whistle.
Inside the box, players from both teams jostled for position.
Kai scanned the area with his god's-eye view.
Then—
He saw it! A rare gap!
No hesitation.
He launched the ball high into the air!
It traced a golden arc, dropping perfectly toward the far post!
Inside Burnley's box,
the players were packed into the front and middle.
But at the far post—Vaughan had been lying in wait.
Kai's precision pass landed right at Vaughan's feet.
Side-footed shot—low and fast!
GOAL!
1–2!
Crystal Palace had fired their counterattack signal!
Fans in the stands roared with excitement!
It was Kai again—their Eagle King—bringing hope once more!
On the Burnley bench, their head coach stood up, expression shifting.
"His sense of opportunity is terrifying."
"Everyone focused on the near post. That gap at the far post lasted barely a second—and he saw it and used it."
Now that one goal was pulled back, Burnley's coaching staff grew nervous.
They began urgently discussing tactics.
They had to win this match.
There was no room for error—
Their return to the Premier League depended on it.
Whatever it took—they had to take all three points at Selhurst Park.