Chapter 73: Premier League, Here I Come!
The Bayswater Chinese team's triumph in the League Cup final was a shock to the rest of the Championship, especially to those teams aiming for promotion to the Premier League.
Given the strength Bayswater Chinese had shown, their promotion seemed highly likely—meaning the competition for the top spots became even fiercer. As things stood, even 10th-place Leeds United hadn't given up on chasing promotion.
It was enough to drive everyone insane.
The competition within the Bayswater Chinese squad was just as intense. After returning from Cardiff, the team rested for a week.
On March 5, Yang Cheng led his team to an away match against Stoke City.
Seeing Lambert's brilliance in the League Cup final lit a fire under Dave Kitson. In the 26th minute, the top scorer bulldozed past a defender at the edge of the box, stormed into the penalty area, and blasted the ball into the net to open the scoring for Bayswater Chinese.
But just before halftime, a defensive lapse during a corner allowed Stoke center-back Clint to equalize.
1–1.
After switching sides in the second half, Ashley Young assisted Dave Kitson for his second goal, putting Bayswater Chinese back in the lead. Just two minutes later, Young scored one himself, assisted by Ribéry.
In the end, Bayswater Chinese beat Stoke City 3–1 away from home.
Worth noting—this was Dave Kitson's fifth brace of the season. So far, he had scored 21 goals in 36 Championship matches, half of them in pairs. That also showed his scoring consistency wasn't perfect—but in the Championship, he was still exceptional.
…
On the afternoon of March 12, Championship Round 37 saw Bayswater Chinese travel to face Plymouth.
Both teams were newly promoted, but Bayswater Chinese sat atop the league while Plymouth languished in 19th, teetering near relegation. And Bayswater Chinese were also League Cup champions!
This made the 15,000 home fans at Plymouth sigh with mixed emotions.
Only 8 minutes in, Dave Kitson scored from a Ribéry assist to open the scoring. But just three minutes later, Plymouth equalized.
In the 13th minute, Gökhan Inler arrived late and smashed the ball in to retake the lead. Bayswater Chinese took full control from there.
In the 21st minute, Inler scored again.
Then, in the 36th minute and again in the 88th, Luka Modrić and substitute Ashley Young each found the back of the net.
Bayswater Chinese crushed Plymouth 5–1 on the road.
…
March 15, evening. Loftus Road Stadium, London.
Championship Round 38. Bayswater Chinese hosted Wigan Athletic.
Broadcasters scheduled this match in prime time—not just because it was a top-tier Championship clash, but because it could decide promotion and the league title.
Loftus Road was packed.
Before kickoff, Bayswater Chinese held a trophy presentation ceremony. Captain Luka Modrić carried the League Cup trophy, and Neuer held his Best Player of the Final award. Along with teammates, they circled the field, warmly welcomed by fans.
The Wigan squad and staff, watching from the sidelines, were far from pleased—especially head coach Paul Jewell.
Jewell had prepared meticulously, aiming to dethrone Bayswater Chinese and take the league lead himself.
He even put great faith in Leighton Baines, who had shone in their last encounter.
But as the match began, everything Jewell had planned unraveled.
Barely a minute in, Tom Huddlestone—who scored a screamer in the League Cup final—did it again, blasting a thunderous shot from outside the box past keeper Filan.
1–0!
That strike lit up Loftus Road and left Paul Jewell dazed.
Before he could recover, Bayswater Chinese struck again. In the 4th minute, Ribéry weaved past two defenders on the left and smashed in a second goal.
2–0!
Jewell was completely lost. This had to be a joke—it was barely kickoff!
But Bayswater Chinese weren't done.
In the 17th minute, Modrić faked a shot at the top of the box, then sent a diagonal pass to the right where Aaron Lennon slotted it home.
3–0!
In the 34th, Łukasz Piszczek made an unexpected forward run, combining with Lennon to outplay Baines. The Polish fullback crossed, and Dave Kitson headed in from close range.
4–0!
Just two minutes later, Baines committed a foul trying to stop yet another two-on-one. The resulting free kick from the right side saw Martin Škrtel head in from Modrić's assist.
5–0!
Wigan were completely broken.
And this was just the first half.
Most remarkable—each of the five goals came from different players.
Only now did Wigan realize the vast gap in quality between them and Bayswater Chinese.
"The scoreline doesn't even reflect the full gap," analysts commented.
"Despite similar league standings, Wigan are clearly a level below in terms of tactics, players, and execution."
In the second half, Bayswater Chinese eased off. Yang Cheng rotated the squad, bringing on three substitutes including Matuidi, and Wigan managed to pull one back.
But it ended 5–1.
After 38 rounds, Bayswater Chinese had 23 wins, 7 draws, and 8 losses—76 points and still top of the Championship. Sunderland followed closely with 75. Wigan and Ipswich were tied at 72.
They were the only four teams with more than 70 points.
Preston in 5th had only 61.
At this point, Bayswater Chinese were almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs—but Yang Cheng urged the team to keep pushing for the title and direct promotion.
Playoffs were risky—3rd to 6th place battled in two-legged ties, then a final. Yang Cheng believed in his team but preferred to avoid the risk of an upset.
Better to lock in a top-two spot.
…
March 18, Championship Round 39. Bayswater Chinese hosted Reading at a sold-out Loftus Road.
They continued their strong post-League Cup form, with Koscielny and Ribéry scoring in the 18th and 21st minutes.
In the 85th minute, substitute Dave Kitson added a third. Sidwell got one back in stoppage time with a long shot.
3–1. Bayswater Chinese won again.
Wigan and Ipswich drew away from home, while Sunderland narrowly beat Coventry 1–0.
Bayswater Chinese and Sunderland began to pull away from the chasing pack, confirming Yang Cheng's preseason expectations. The team grew more confident with every match and better synchronized on the pitch.
After Round 39 came a two-week international break.
As a Championship team, Bayswater Chinese didn't have many internationals, mostly youth players.
Media buzzed with rumors that Ribéry might be called up to France's senior team, but he was instead named to the U21s—his first national team selection.
He was ecstatic upon receiving the call.
Yang Cheng, however, reminded him about the infamous underage scandal that had once rocked the French national team, even though it was in 2010.
"Focus on the Premier League in the second half and the World Cup next year!" Yang Cheng encouraged.
Ribéry was incredibly grateful. Two years ago, he'd been a laborer in his hometown. Yang Cheng had discovered him, trained him, and now he was representing his country.
He promised never to slack off.
Fortunately, all the internationals returned injury-free.
…
April 2, Round 40. Bayswater Chinese came from behind to beat Coventry 2–1 away.
Still affected by the break, Yang Cheng benched several internationals including Ribéry and Huddlestone, which impacted team performance. But they scraped out the win.
Wigan lost 1–2 at home to West Ham. QPR lost 1–3 to Sunderland.
A third-party fan poll revealed rising discontent among QPR supporters—especially with the home form.
Bayswater Chinese had remained unbeaten at home, ensuring fans felt rewarded for showing up.
…
Three days later, Round 41. Bayswater Chinese beat Preston 3–0 away.
Sunderland edged Wigan 1–0 on the road. QPR drew again, 1–1 with Gillingham, triggering more fan criticism.
Wigan's poor form saw them fall to 4th.
But they regrouped in the final five matches, going unbeaten:
2–0 away at Cardiff2–0 away at Leicester0–0 at home against QPR1–1 away at Preston2–1 at home against Reading
That late run saw them reclaim 3rd from Ipswich.
Bayswater Chinese, meanwhile, went on a 6-game winning streak, then:
2–0 home win over Leicester1–1 away draw with Burnley4–1 home thrashing of West Ham1–0 away win over Wrexham
Final Championship standings after 46 rounds:
Bayswater Chinese – 98 pts (30W–8D–8L) ✅Sunderland – 94 pts ✅Wigan Athletic – 86 ptsIpswich Town – 84 ptsPreston North End – 80 ptsWest Ham United – 77 pts
...
In the playoffs:
West Ham edged Wigan 3–2 on aggregateThen beat Preston 1–0 in the final
...
Promoted to the Premier League:
Bayswater ChineseSunderlandWest Ham United
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