Chapter 87: A Flash of Genius! Yang Cheng: Shameless!
Arsenal forced a draw at Bayswater Chinese FC!
That was the headline across British media after the match.
Yes, even The Sun and The Times, among many others, framed it as Arsenal salvaging a point, rather than Bayswater earning the draw.
Because in the final stages, the hosts had clearly gained the upper hand.
Especially when Wenger was forced to drop into a 5-3-2—a rare and desperate move for the professor.
At the post-match press conference, Wenger complained about Bayswater's first goal.
He claimed it was a foul and should have been disallowed.
He was trying to salvage Arsenal's dwindling pride.
As Yang Cheng didn't yet hold an official coaching license, he wasn't listed on the team sheet—not even as an assistant.
He attended post-match pressers at his leisure, and when he didn't feel like it, Brian Kidd went in his place.
This time, it was Brian who represented Yang Cheng and fired back.
He accused Premier League referees of favoring Arsenal.
Exhibit A?
Ribéry's shirt had been ripped in the box—if that's not a penalty, what is?
Public opinion sided with Bayswater.
Their performance made a stronger case for a win.
The Times highlighted Yang Cheng's tactical setup and in-game adjustments.
Notably, he'd benched Ribéry and Modrić, only unleashing them in the second half when Arsenal's legs were gone—nearly breaking down their entire backline.
"Wenger was clearly rattled."
"If he had hesitated for even a second, he wouldn't have escaped Loftus Road intact."
"This wasn't improvisation—it was a trap laid by Yang Cheng before the match even began."
"As a newly promoted team pushing into the Premier League top four, Yang Cheng deserves the lion's share of the credit."
"Looking at recent performances, it's clear—he's the driving force behind Bayswater's rise."
After 13 rounds:
Bayswater Chinese FC: 8 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss – 28 points, 2nd placeChelsea: 31 points, top of the tableManchester United: 27Arsenal: 23
Just as Yang Cheng had predicted, Mourinho's Chelsea remained cold and steady as ever.
…
As for AZ Alkmaar, most fans barely recognized the name.
Even in the Netherlands, they weren't considered a top team.
But in 2002, Dutch attacking guru Co Adriaanse took over the club.
In three years, he elevated them from obscurity to 3rd in the Eredivisie, and a UEFA Cup semifinal.
He'd announced as early as January 2005 that he'd leave at the end of the season—his next stop would be FC Porto.
AZ quickly reached out to the then-recently departed Louis van Gaal, who had just stepped down as technical director at Ajax.
And that was the beginning of a new era.
Adriaanse gave the club an aggressive attacking identity, but Van Gaal recognized the glaring weakness: defense.
He kept the 4-3-3 framework but brought in seasoned veterans like Shota Arveladze to stabilize things.
Freed from the politics of big clubs, Van Gaal fully committed to revamping the team, tailoring training to individual needs and molding AZ into a battle-hardened unit.
After 12 league rounds, AZ sat third in the Eredivisie behind PSV and Feyenoord.
Their attack, still fueled by Adriaanse's legacy, was the most potent in the league.
But defensively, thanks to Van Gaal, they had improved immensely—second-best behind PSV.
Van Gaal's methods were already paying off.
As soon as the UEFA Cup group draw was announced, Yang Cheng marked AZ as the biggest threat.
Not just because of Van Gaal, but because the third match would be away.
A pivotal game.
AZ's hot form owed much to Shota Arveladze, the 32-year-old Georgian striker.
A veteran of Ajax and Rangers, Arveladze had been released by Rangers that summer due to age.
He hoped to return to Ajax, but they also turned him down.
Then came Van Gaal.
And under him, Arveladze went on a tear—in the first five Eredivisie rounds: 9 goals, 5 assists, 5 straight wins.
The whole of Europe took notice.
Yes, Eredivisie stats are known to be inflated—
But 14 goal contributions in 5 games? That's outrageous!
The hot streak cooled, of course.
From rounds 6 to 12, Arveladze managed just 3 goals, 1 assist.
Still solid, but nowhere near his earlier madness.
The reason was obvious.
He wasn't a physical presence—at 1.81 meters, Arveladze was a technical, agile forward, not a powerhouse striker.
And Yang Cheng was confident in stopping that type of player.
He fielded a center-back pairing of José Fonte and Koscielny.
Before kickoff, he specifically instructed Koscielny to track Arveladze everywhere, even if he dropped deep.
Both teams used a three-man midfield.
Yang Cheng's trio: Modrić, Yaya Touré, and Lassana Diarra.
It completely shut down AZ's trio of Schaars, De Zeeuw, and Landzaat.
Up front, he deployed Ribéry, Lambert, and Aaron Lennon.
Yang Cheng had rested many key players against Arsenal just to keep them fresh for this match.
His meticulous preparation showed.
Except for a brief period of early dominance fueled by the home crowd, AZ were largely on the back foot.
Still, Bayswater couldn't find a breakthrough.
Yang Cheng kept waiting.
Halftime: 0–0.
Second half—still no goal.
Lambert had missed chance after chance.
Yang Cheng was losing patience.
…
"AZ's center-back pairing isn't tall, but they complement each other well."
Brian Kidd watched another failed Bayswater attack with a sigh.
"Kew Jaliens is quick, covers ground well, presses tightly."
"Joris Mathijsen sits deeper, good in duels, but lacks pace and burst."
"Lambert's struggling against them."
Yang Cheng didn't respond.
But he smiled faintly.
He knew Brian Kidd was defending Lambert.
And he wasn't wrong.
Martens and Jaliens had been excellent, working in tandem to completely neutralize Lambert.
Up to this point, Bayswater Chinese FC had dominated the match but failed to break the deadlock.
Lambert being shut down was the biggest issue.
The two center-backs complemented each other well, but both stood at only 1.83 meters tall.
Per Yang Cheng's game plan, even if Lambert couldn't overpower them, he was at least supposed to act as a pivot—hold the ball, create space, and link play.
But not only had Lambert squandered multiple chances, he wasn't even fulfilling his tactical role effectively.
Of course, Jaliens clinging to him all match long was part of the problem.
But still, this was Lambert's ceiling.
"Sub!" Yang Cheng barked decisively.
It was the 60th minute—perfect timing.
Brian Kidd didn't object.
If you wanted to win, you had to adapt.
"Get Džeko ready. He's coming on for Lambert."
The assistant coach headed to the bench and called over Džeko to warm up.
Three minutes later, the Bosnian returned to the sideline, standing in front of Yang Cheng.
"We need someone who can receive the ball in the half-spaces, just in front of their backline, especially in those channels behind their holding midfielders."
"Once you receive it—turn, carry it, or lay it off. Either works."
"Pay special attention to Martens. He's a left-footed center-back playing on the left side. He rarely steps up to press."
Yang Cheng glanced at his young striker.
Lambert was tall—1.88 meters.
But Džeko was taller—1.93, towering over both AZ defenders by a full 10 centimeters.
But that alone wasn't why Yang Cheng rated him so highly.
Džeko's footwork was exceptional.
Originally a midfielder, he had surprising pace, soft touch, and two good feet.
His main weaknesses? He still lacked strength in duels and wasn't great in the air yet.
But those would come with time.
Heading, for example, relied heavily on core strength—all about the abs and lower back.
That was what gym work was for.
Step by step.
Džeko was only 19—this was his first season in the Premier League. No need to rush.
"Don't worry. I got this!" Džeko said, eyes shining.
He was incredibly grateful for Yang Cheng's trust.
This was a tough match—and he was being called off the bench to make a difference.
That, too, was a sign of trust.
…
63rd minute—Džeko replaced Lambert.
Even though Yang Cheng wasn't pleased with Lambert's performance, he still gave him a hug and some encouragement.
They'd need him again in the league.
With Džeko on, Bayswater's attacking style shifted immediately.
Van Gaal made minor tweaks, but not much else.
The Dutchman didn't fully trust youngster Vlaar, so he didn't consider swapping in the taller center-back to deal with Džeko.
The Bosnian's first touch came on the right channel, just outside the box.
He didn't drop deep. Instead, he held off Martens with his back to goal, receiving a pass from Lassana Diarra.
Though he was 10 centimeters shorter, Martens tried to use a clever nudge, catching Džeko as he touched the ball and knocking him off balance.
Džeko tumbled forward.
The ref didn't blow his whistle.
AZ launched a fast counter, but Bayswater quickly won the ball back.
Yaya Touré picked it up, took a couple steps, and—even before crossing midfield—sent a direct pass forward.
Džeko had dropped into the base of the right channel, scanning the field before receiving.
Just as Yang Cheng had predicted: Martens didn't step up, and Jaliens, the right center-back, couldn't cover that area.
Džeko took one touch to control and then spun gracefully, advancing into the final third.
He had just crossed the 30-meter mark when Landzaat crashed into him from behind, and Martens flew in with a full tackle from the front.
Down went Džeko.
Ball gone.
No whistle.
AZ fans erupted in cheers.
Yang Cheng strode to the sideline, clapped forcefully, and yelled:
"It's alright! Stay sharp! Keep going! I believe in you!"
"You've got this, Edin!"
The TV commentators were probably criticizing Džeko for "holding the ball too long."
But to Yang Cheng, that was exactly where his value lay.
Everyone in the game knew—if you can receive with your back to goal and turn under pressure, you're a real striker.
A 1.90+ meter striker who can receive, turn, and drive forward?
Almost unheard of.
Maybe the one just under God had that skillset.
People who called that "too much dribbling" had no idea.
The tactical value was enormous.
And Džeko could run. Really run.
He'd always pop up in space.
…
"You've got this, Edin!"
As Džeko picked himself up from the turf, gritting his teeth, he heard his manager's voice.
He turned and saw Yang Cheng clapping at him from the sideline.
A wave of warmth rushed over him.
Yang Cheng had never once stopped believing in him.
"Who says small nations can't produce football geniuses?"
"Who says a low transfer fee means you're not special?"
I am Edin Džeko—and I am a genius.
Even though it had been over half a year, he still remembered what Yang Cheng had said at the FA hearing—
How he had argued, in front of the UK Home Office, DCMS, and the FA, to prove that Džeko qualified as a "special talent."
It had moved him deeply.
And recently, Džeko had overheard Yang Cheng tell Crozier:
"I'm not planning to sign a striker in January. No need."
"We have Džeko."
"I trust him."
Now, standing under the stadium lights, his eyes welled up.
He felt like he was on fire—burning with resolve.
He began running everywhere.
Despite his height, Džeko had great endurance—and he was fresh off the bench.
A heavy tank charging into downtown traffic, flattening everything in his path, overwhelming AZ's defenders.
This wasn't just a tactical problem. It was psychological.
And Džeko wasn't running blindly.
He'd noticed AZ liked to funnel possession through Martens.
He watched and waited.
In the 70th minute, AZ won the ball again.
Bayswater pressed immediately.
The ball ended up with Tim de Cler on the left.
Džeko saw Lennon closing in and followed up.
But the Bosnian kept one eye on Martens the whole time.
Sure enough, de Cler, under pressure, passed it back.
As soon as the ball left his foot, Džeko pounced—like a predator.
Martens hadn't even received the ball when he felt the full force of 1.93 meters of fury barreling down on him.
Not known for silky footwork or quick reactions, Martens panicked.
Too fast. Too close.
Van Gaal had always insisted on left-footed CBs on the left, right-footed CBs on the right.
Better for passing out from the back.
He had drilled this into his players.
And Džeko knew it.
So as he closed in, he ignored the right side completely—and locked his eyes on Martens' left foot.
As the pass from De Cler on the left arrived under pressure, Martens instinctively stretched out his left foot to control it.
With Aaron Lennon pressing De Cler, Martens had no option to return the pass.
His plan was to trap the ball, shield it from Džeko, and play it back to the keeper.
But the pressure was intense, and his first touch was just a bit too heavy, the ball slipped just out of his control.
In football, even a meter-long miscontrol can be fatal.
Džeko, tall and rangy, closed in fast.
The moment he saw the ball roll loose, he lunged forward and poked it away just before Martens could recover.
Martens panicked, instantly giving chase.
Džeko got there first. With a subtle flick using the outside of his right foot, he pushed the ball wide and shielded it with his body.
Martens realized his mistake and stuck to Džeko like glue, denying him the chance to turn toward goal.
Despite his height, Džeko still lacked physical strength. He couldn't overpower Martens in a shoulder-to-shoulder duel.
So he turned sideways, dribbling carefully across the right edge of the penalty box.
At this point, everyone in Alkmaar let out a breath—the danger seemed to have passed.
But then Džeko suddenly paused, dropped his left shoulder, and feinted as if to drive toward the byline.
Martens, standing just inside the right edge of the box, bit hard and moved to block him.
Džeko cut back sharply with his left foot, turned to face his own half, and took a step back.
As he moved, he scanned the penalty area.
Martens reacted quickly, worried Džeko might dart into the box again, and came crashing back.
But Džeko never intended to drive forward.
Before Martens could get back, Džeko wound up and gently scooped the ball with his left foot.
Inside the box, AZ's goalkeeper Henk Timmer and center-back Jaliens were both stationed near the near post—
Ribéry was tangled in their orbit.
That was standard defending.
But Džeko's lob curled gracefully through the air—
and dropped perfectly into the unguarded far post.
Everyone looked confused.
And then a red blur came flying in—
Modrić, crashing the far post, dove forward and headed the ball into the open net.
"GOAL!!!!"
"71st minute—Bayswater Chinese FC break the deadlock against AZ Alkmaar!"
"And it's the captain, Luka Modrić!"
"What an incredible link-up between two special talents!"
"Modrić was the first player in English football history to receive a special talent exemption in 2003."
"Džeko was the second, approved in 2005."
"And now these two combine to give Bayswater the lead—1–0!"
…
Yang Cheng was already jumping and applauding on the sideline.
"He saw that?!"
Brian Kidd was stunned.
"This proves our targeted training is working," Yang Cheng grinned.
Kidd nodded again and again, looking at Yang Cheng with genuine admiration.
Even before preseason began, Yang Cheng had pushed for a special training regimen.
The goal?
To improve the team's ability to play under pressure and their ability to anticipate space and movement.
Everyone knows it's easiest to pass to a stationary target.
The faster the receiver moves, the longer the distance, the greater the pressure—the higher the risk of error.
It all comes down to spatial anticipation.
But for a pass to succeed, both passer and receiver must predict the same space at the same time.
During his past life as a coach, Yang Cheng loved sitting in at Italy's Coverciano training base.
Once, during a seminar, he'd heard a professor talk about the NFL.
Those teams had coaching staffs of 20 or more, with specialized coaches for every position.
They meticulously broke down plays and trained players to anticipate exact routes and timings.
Football and American football are different, of course.
But NFL success proved something crucial:
Even under extreme pressure, anticipation and passing precision can be trained.
Yang Cheng was fascinated.
He had long discussions with the professor—but it was all theory.
In football, most believed that kind of vision and passing touch was natural.
Reserved for the gifted.
But Yang Cheng disagreed.
Talent is real—but you don't need to make every player a 100/100.
75 or 80? That's more than enough.
In his time coaching in the Bundesliga, Yang Cheng had encountered Germany's engineering-minded approach—especially their "passing rooms."
So, during the second phase of construction at Brent Training Base, Yang Cheng proposed a spatial simulation room.
Similar to Germany's passing boxes—but more advanced.
Walls full of round holes, just larger than a football.
Each hole stayed closed. During training, one would randomly open.
Players had to hit that target—under time pressure.
Every movement was recorded with HD cameras.
Each pass's timing, power, and angle was tracked.
Translated to match scenarios?
Those metrics equated to passing timing, trajectory, and distance.
No one had software to analyze this.
So Yang Cheng had Gianni Vio start building a data model.
Using 3D coordinate systems, the axes would track:
Passer's timingReceiver's movementDistance of the pass
They also added steps taken before the pass, stride frequency, and more.
Beyond that, the model could analyze every match and training session:
Was a pass successful?
Whose timing was perfect?
Who made the mistake?
Eventually, every game, every drill, every passing room session would feed data back to players in real time.
But even that wasn't enough.
So Yang Cheng and the coaching staff had spent the summer building custom drills for the squad:
Tight-space passing gamesFull-field passing combinations
Because construction was still underway at Brent, the passing room hadn't been built yet.
For now, Bayswater held two 15-minute special sessions per week, incorporated into daily training.
And already, they had seen players consistently making incredible passes.
Džeko's assist was just one example.
That's why Brian Kidd was so emotional.
Still, Yang Cheng wasn't ready to celebrate just yet.
"Džeko's body strength still isn't there. We need to work on that fast."
He hadn't forgotten how the Bosnian had been knocked off the ball twice as soon as he came on.
In the Premier League? That would be brutal.
Brian Kidd nodded in agreement.
They had work to do.
Modrić's goal broke the deadlock.
Van Gaal reacted immediately, sending on Dutch right winger Meldingk to strengthen the attack.
It was clear—Van Gaal had no intention of letting Bayswater Chinese FC leave his home ground with all three points.
But Yang Cheng, after taking the lead, signaled his players to keep pressing forward with the same strategy.
Especially Džeko up front.
The Bosnian striker was everywhere, constantly harassing AZ's back line, giving Martens and Jaliens a torrid time.
With his towering height, decent speed, and relentless running, Džeko was overwhelming.
And just as everyone's eyes stayed locked on the high-flying Džeko, Ribéry, who'd had a quiet game up to this point, suddenly produced a moment of magic.
Receiving a pass from Leighton Baines, Ribéry faced off against Stamson, a 1.89-meter fullback. With a slick push-and-run move down the left wing, he blew past the towering defender.
Catching up to the ball at the edge of the box, Ribéry chipped it with his left foot.
In the middle were the same 1.83-meter defenders—Jaliens and Martens.
But Džeko, standing at 1.93 meters, looked like a giant among them.
There was no way he'd let this chance go.
Charging into the box like a tank, Džeko soared into the air and smashed a header toward the left corner of the goal.
Keeper Henk Timmer had just started moving toward the right post—Džeko caught him going the wrong way.
There was no chance to react.
"GOAL AGAIN!!!"
"2–0!"
"It's the Bosnian striker Edin Džeko once again for Bayswater Chinese FC!"
"Only 19 years old, and he's completely changed the game since coming on!"
"A goal and an assist—he's helped Bayswater seal the win!"
"2–0!"
"This result puts Bayswater Chinese FC through to the knockout stage early with three straight group wins!"
…
"This match reminds me of the second El Clásico from the 2003–04 La Liga season…"
After the game, Van Gaal approached Yang Cheng with a calm demeanor.
Years of coaching had numbed him to the sting of losing.
What he really cared about was the football itself.
"How so?" Yang Cheng played dumb, though he already had a hunch.
Van Gaal gave him a meaningful look and chuckled.
"The structure—it's eerily familiar."
"Is that so?" Yang Cheng laughed too, more flattered than offended.
In football, there's no such thing as plagiarism.
You can't copy what doesn't exist twice.
No two players are ever truly the same.
"When Rijkaard took over Barça, he was still searching. Before Edgar Davids arrived, they were 12th in La Liga."
"After Davids joined, Barça went on a 17-match unbeaten run—14 wins, 3 draws—and beat Real Madrid 2–1 at the Bernabéu."
Yang Cheng knew that match well.
That was the turning point for Barça's Dream Team II.
"I remember the midfield: Davids, Xavi, and Cocu holding."
Yang Cheng nodded.
As a head coach, these matches were bread and butter.
"Your midfield is Diarra, Modrić, and Yaya Touré sitting deep."
"Tell me it doesn't look familiar."
Yang Cheng shook his head with a grin.
"Diarra doesn't have Davids' drive. Modrić isn't as steady as Xavi. And Touré's defending isn't quite Cocu's level."
Van Gaal laughed.
"You're only listing what they lack. What about the things they do better?"
Yang Cheng didn't respond.
"Left wing, Barça had Ronaldinho. Right side, Overmars. You've got Ribéry and Lennon. Not exactly worlds apart, are they?"
"But the most striking resemblance—your striker and how the game unfolded."
"In that match, Barça controlled midfield. But Real scored first—Solari in the 54th minute. Rijkaard brought on Kluivert in the 57th."
"He equalized a minute later. And from there, the momentum completely shifted."
Kluivert's impact shattered Real's defense.
Figo's second yellow in the 69th minute was proof.
Barça scored the winner in the 86th.
Yang Cheng remembered that game vividly.
Was it similar?
Absolutely.
Tactics, when refined, often reach the same conclusions.
Great teams—especially those built to win—share familiar patterns.
In the summer of 2004, Barça let Davids go.
Because they had someone even better lined up—Deco, the soul of the second-generation Dream Team.
So in this moment, Van Gaal was actually praising Bayswater.
"That sub you brought on—Džeko—he fits your system better than Lambert."
Yang Cheng didn't comment.
"Your midfield is solid, but overly defensive. Touré's better than Cocu was. What you need is a Deco—to ease Modrić's burden."
"That would make your midfield more creative, more in control."
Bayswater's trio—Diarra, Modrić, Touré—had held their own against the Premier League's best.
Often, they even dominated.
Their defensive record was excellent—and it all started in midfield.
Van Gaal's analysis was spot-on.
In fact, if you replaced Diarra with someone like Deco, you'd essentially have Real Madrid's legendary "Trio of Orchestrators."
Kroos, Modrić, Casemiro.
It all came full circle.
But the reality was—Bayswater couldn't sign a Kroos.
They needed someone with elite movement, steady passing, and pinpoint long balls.
Pirlo, Carrick, Scholes, Xabi Alonso—any would do.
But Yang Cheng had no shot at landing any of them.
Yes, Madrid's trio didn't have Barça's flair.
But they were more durable, more adaptable.
Barça's golden midfield would struggle in the Premier League.
Madrid's wouldn't.
That was the difference.
Yang Cheng had experimented with Inler, Modrić, and Touré—but found Diarra more effective.
The Frenchman's tackling and passing had steadily improved under Yang Cheng's coaching.
So until the right player came along, he had no plans to break up this trio.
"Technique, physique, high pressing—and they're all so young…"
Van Gaal's eyes sparkled with memory.
"Europe hasn't seen a team this exciting in a long time."
Yang Cheng nearly rolled his eyes.
Just say you're bragging about your own Ajax team and get it over with!
Why dance around it like this? Shameless!
Sometimes, no matter how great things are going, life finds a way to mess with you.
Just days ago in the Netherlands, Yang Cheng had chatted with Van Gaal about Barça, reminiscing about Edgar Davids.
Then back in London, Premier League Matchday 14 saw Bayswater Chinese FC welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Loftus Road.
Only 8 minutes in, Ribéry pounced on a defensive error and gave the home side the lead.
The match remained tight after that, with both teams exchanging attacks.
Bayswater were juggling two competitions, while Spurs were well-rested.
But even so, the hosts held the upper hand in terms of performance.
Ledley King and Michael Dawson held firm in central defense, once again keeping Lambert under control and repelling wave after wave of Bayswater pressure.
Then in the 77th minute, the familiar face from Inter Milan—Edgar Davids—received the ball on the left and surged forward with a powerful run.
Škrtel stepped up at midfield, trying to intercept.
But Davids combined with Carrick on a give-and-go, breaking through Škrtel's line and beating José Fonte to charge into the left side of the box.
Neuer rushed out to close him down—
Davids struck.
The ball squeezed under Neuer and into the net.
1–1.
A 32-year-old Dutchman just sprinted 60 meters and scored. Incredible.
The match ended in a draw.
…
Midweek: League Cup Round of 16, Bayswater hosted Newcastle United.
A string of tough matches had begun to wear the team down.
In the 30th minute, disaster struck—José Fonte twisted his leg in a challenge with Alan Shearer and had to come off injured.
Yang Cheng was visibly frustrated.
In the second half, he introduced Leighton Baines and others to boost the attack.
In the 78th minute, Walcott, down the right flank, faced Elliott.
With a brilliant push-and-run, Walcott blasted through Newcastle's backline, reached the byline, and cut it back into the center.
Džeko, with a silky touch and sharp turn, struck with his left foot—goal.
1–0!
The only goal of the game.
Bayswater edged Newcastle and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Later, scans confirmed that José Fonte had suffered only a mild sprain—he'd be out for 1–2 weeks.
…
Saturday afternoon, Premier League Matchday 15 at Anfield.
When referee Uriah Rennie blew the final whistle, Yang Cheng waved his arm in frustration.
1–0. That was the final score.
Bayswater had started well, dominating early and creating chances.
Ribéry, especially, won two corners down the left.
On one of them, Škrtel's header smacked the crossbar—nearly in.
Liverpool responded by tightening up.
But in the 19th minute, a quick counter.
Crouch fired from outside the box—his shot deflected off Leighton Baines' leg, popped high—
Neuer adjusted quickly, tried to swat it out—
But the ball glanced off the underside of the crossbar and bounced into the net.
0–1.
That would've been tolerable—if not for what followed.
Right before halftime, Bayswater struck the post again.
Yang Cheng was fuming.
In the second half, Bayswater pressed hard.
Liverpool sat deep and countered.
To be fair, Benítez's defensive structure was excellent.
Bayswater lost 0–1—their second defeat of the season.
After 15 rounds:
Bayswater Chinese FC: 8W 5D 2L – 29 pts, 3rdChelsea: 37 ptsManchester United: 33 ptsLiverpool: 28 ptsArsenal, Tottenham, Bolton: 26 pts
…
There was no time to mope.
Four days later, Bayswater returned to Loftus Road to host Hamburg in the final round of the UEFA Cup group stage.
They had already qualified, so Yang Cheng rotated heavily and prioritized defense and counterattacks.
Hamburg were missing their playmaker Rafael van der Vaart, who was out with an ankle injury.
His absence blunted their creativity and build-up.
In the 30th minute, a lightning-fast counter:
Walcott charged down the right, slipped a diagonal ball into the channel.
Džeko, collecting it in stride, turned past Daniel Van Buyten and fired—
Goal.
1–0!
Despite Hamburg's best efforts, they couldn't break down the defensive pairing of Škrtel and Koscielny.
Final score: 1–0 to Bayswater.
…
Weekend: Premier League Matchday 16—away at Chelsea.
Thanks to the squad rotation in midweek, Bayswater's starters were fresh and sharp.
José Fonte also returned from injury to anchor the defense.
Chelsea, however, were without Claude Makélélé.
Mourinho, coaching at home, fielded a more attack-minded midfield:
Joe Cole and Lampard as dual playmakersEssien sitting behind as the sole defensive anchor
Mourinho hoped Joe Cole's dribbling and control would allow Chelsea to dominate possession.
But on the pitch, things didn't go as planned.
That midfield setup still couldn't overwhelm Bayswater.
In fact, most of Chelsea's possession was in their own half, around the center circle.
A lot of sideways and backward passing.
They relied heavily on the flanks—Robben and Duff—to break forward.
Yang Cheng had prepared for that.
Baines and Chimbonda tightly locked down both wings.
Frustrated, Mourinho adjusted in the 25th minute.
Joe Cole pushed higher, operating in the half-spaces to support Robben and Duff.
Still, they couldn't break through Bayswater's defense.
But Chelsea were lucky.
In the 32nd minute, Robben forced a corner on the left after a dribble past Baines.
Lampard whipped it in.
John Terry rose above the just-returned José Fonte and powered in a header.
1–0.
Stamford Bridge erupted.
Chelsea's players were fired up.
It had been three seasons—they'd faced Bayswater three times, and lost all three.
This was the fourth meeting.
This time, they were desperate to win.
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