When the game had gone on for another ten minutes, nearing the 90-minute mark, Guardiola finally felt uneasy.
The fourth official on the sidelines had already raised the added time board; there were only three minutes!
Including regular time, this meant that the total remaining time in the match was less than five minutes!
And up until now, Manchester City still hadn't managed to break through Sunderland's goal.
"Time is running out for Manchester City!"
James Jun's mood was naturally different from Guardiola's, and his commentary carried a hint of excitement.
"Sunderland's players have shown strong willpower and running ability; even as the game nears its end, they are still fighting hard for the ball."
"Meanwhile, Manchester City's seemingly powerful five-man attacking group is showing clear signs of fatigue."
"Especially De Bruyne, the main orchestrator of the attack; his legs are like lead, and he can no longer deliver his precise passes."
"Whether it's Aguero, David Silva, or Sane, who just came on, their anxiousness is written all over their faces!"
"Just five minutes, hold on for another five minutes, and Zhao Zhao and his Sunderland can secure this 0-0 at the Etihad and take a point!"
"It seems we are truly about to witness a classic tactical demonstration of a 'bus' breaking 'tiki-taka' live today!"
Guardiola stood up again.
He frantically waved his hands on the sidelines, making gestures to push forward.
This was to make Manchester City's formation push up a bit higher.
There were only five minutes left; if they didn't go all out on offense now, it would be too late!
Under Guardiola's instructions, center-back Stones also pushed up to the defensive midfield position, while the two original defensive midfielders, Fernandinho and Toure, moved forward to attacking midfield positions, and De Bruyne and David Silva even pushed into the opponent's penalty area!
Even the two remaining center-backs, Kompany and Nicolás Otamendi, had pushed up to the halfway line.
Manchester City was no longer in a conventional formation.
If one had to describe it, it was probably a strange, all-out attacking formation like a 2-1-4-3!
It could be said that everyone at Manchester City was very anxious right now.
They had besieged this seemingly weak Sunderland for 90 minutes with nothing to show for it; they were truly going crazy!
So after Guardiola made these adjustments, the Manchester City players also rallied their spirits and poured all their energy into the attack!
And at this moment, Zhao Zhao also stood up.
The moment he had been waiting for had arrived!
He used his second substitution, replacing captain O'Shea with target man Anichebe, and then adjusted the formation to a 4-4-2!
In fact, 36-year-old O'Shea had given his all; his legs were stiff, and he could barely walk!
And this substitution was also a signal to all Sunderland players on the field.
A signal to launch a counterattack!
Guardiola immediately realized something was off—this Chinese kid seemed to have other ideas!
But it was too late for him to react.
Manchester City's attack on the right flank was thwarted again.
After De Bruyne's cross was intercepted by McNair, the young player unhesitatingly passed the ball directly forward.
This was also what Zhao Zhao had emphasized: resolutely attack behind Navas!
Since Navas was now in a winger position, the space behind him was even more empty.
Sunderland's left winger Januzaj still had excellent stamina; after receiving the ball, he immediately strode forward rapidly along the sideline.
Stones, the defensive midfielder responsible for cover in Manchester City's midfield, quickly chased after him.
He was tall with long legs, and he leaned into Januzaj, trying to forcefully push him away and then intercept the ball with his foot.
But Januzaj was very agile; he first made a sudden stop to evade Stones's tackle, then looked up to observe.
At this moment, Sunderland's players were no longer retreating into their own half as before; instead, they were all desperately surging into Manchester City's half!
This was what Zhao Zhao had demanded of his players: commit a large number of forces to attack in the final moments, to catch the opponent off guard!
Manchester City's players also frantically chased back, but it was already too late.
Behind them, there were effectively only two center-backs, Kompany and Nicolás Otamendi, defending, and they had to face four players: Januzaj, Defoe, Khazri, and Anichebe!
At this point, Stones also rushed towards Januzaj again.
Since Januzaj's speed had slowed down, it would be difficult to break through further, so he chose to pass the ball forward.
And Sunderland striker Defoe had already made a diagonal run in front of Januzaj and received the ball perfectly.
Manchester City captain Kompany was closer to Defoe; at this point, he could only come over to block, preventing Defoe from having space to dribble into the penalty area.
But Defoe had no intention of dribbling; instead, he glanced at the penalty area and chose to cross directly!
The ball arced through the air, falling near the six-yard box.
There, were one player from each team.
Sunderland striker Anichebe and Manchester City defender Nicolás Otamendi!
Nicolás Otamendi possesses excellent physical attributes, making outstanding contributions in defense, whether in aerial duels, interceptions, or long passes, which allows him to maintain a starting position in the Manchester City squad.
But the problem is that he is only 183cm tall, putting him at a disadvantage when facing opponents with greater height and strength.
And now his opponent was Anichebe, a tall target man over 190cm tall!
In the contest for Defoe's cross, Anichebe won without suspense.
He leaped high and then delivered a powerful header!
"Thwack!"
The ball actually made a sound, then shot straight towards the goal.
At such close range and such speed, Manchester City goalkeeper Bravo instinctively raised a hand, but the ball was already behind him, making a crisp sound as it met the net.
Immediately after, the referee's whistle signaling a valid goal had already sounded.
"Goal!!!!"
"Anichebe!!! The tall target man Anichebe, who just came on, scored with his first touch, breaking through Manchester City's goal!"
"This is simply incredible! Sunderland, who had been on the back foot throughout, scored in the final moments of the game!"
"Oh my god, who could have imagined this? This was almost Sunderland's only threatening shot of the entire match! Yes, it was their only shot on target!"
"It's miraculous!!! Miraculous tactics, miraculous substitution! Zhao Zhao's late counter-attack, his late substitution, are truly amazing!"
Amidst James Jun's excited commentary, the field was already in chaos.
Zhao Zhao had leaped from the dugout, rushing to the sidelines with the equally excited guys from the bench, embracing Anichebe and his teammates!
In front of them were the Sunderland fans who had traveled to the away game to support their team.
They were also shouting and screaming, hoarsely venting their heartfelt excitement and emotion!
No one had expected Sunderland to lead Manchester City 1-0.
And at this moment, the game time was almost up!!!