Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Bony obediently lowered his head and used his hand to wipe clean the Nike shoes covered in grass scraps on his knee, then picked up the shoes and gave them a deep kiss — this devout gesture also made Tang Long quite emotional.

In his career up to now, he experienced having his shoes cleaned by teammates twice.

Besides Bony, the last time was at Inter Milan when Gualin cleaned his shoes.

Both Gualin and Bony have a common trait, they both once harbored resentment towards Tang Long due to the threat of losing their positions to him, showing hostility!

But in the end, both became the biggest beneficiaries of Tang Long's brilliant performances and were deeply impressed by his exquisite skills, so they conducted the shoe-cleaning act — the highest form of respect on the field.

Compared to Gualin, who cleaned his own shoes after scoring, Bony's act was even more commendable.

One must know, Bony was the one who scored, and Tang Long wasn't even the one assisting, yet he willingly knelt down to clean Tang Long's shoes, which speaks volumes of the high regard this 19-year-old Chinese player holds in the Ivorian's heart.

Tang Long once again recalled what Chiwo once told him, that to earn respect on the football field, it has nothing to do with your nationality, race, skin color, or cultural background; it's only about your skills!

Looking at Manchester City players with their gleeful expressions, Everton's midfield was extremely frustrated.

Barry, McCarthy, and Barkley, the three midfielders who previously got played around by Tang Long, gathered together during the brief dead-ball period.

"What happened? Didn't we clearly have the ball intercepted? How did you get passed?" Barry started scolding his junior McCarthy.

McCarthy replied with a wronged expression, "I don't know, I was about to touch the ball, but then he just flicked it past me."

The two then turned their gaze towards Barkley.

In the first attempt at encircling, Barry and McCarthy failed. Barkley then rushed forward and directed the two for a three-man surround.

"Barkley, the passing lane Tang took was your area to block, why did you leave him an opening?"

Seeing the blame starting to shift to him, Barkley also wore a gloomy face, thinking, "Both of you didn't even manage to box him in, yet you have the nerve to blame me for letting him go?"

Unhappily he said, "I thought he was going to keep dribbling, who would've thought he'd pass the ball right when I got there. I'll tell you, it's still this kid being too timid, he wouldn't dare to take on three, doesn't have the skills for it, you know!"

The veteran Barry thought Barkley's argument was complete nonsense, wondering why Tang had to take on three; did he think he was Messi? He hadn't blocked the lane, so he should stop making excuses, shaking his hand dismissively and walking away.

During halftime, coach Pellegrini was very pleased with the team's first-half performance.

He openly praised two players, Bony, who scored twice, and of course, Tang Long.

"Guys, as proven, as long as we play our way with me at the forefront, there's no opponent in the Premier League we can't take down. Stick to our style, and let's go out there and play hard!"

In the second half, Ivorian player Bony entered the field with even more vigor than in the first half.

He's already scored two goals; if he scores one more, it's a hat-trick.

Even at Manchester City, having played nearly two years in Swansea, he never managed to score a hat-trick!

This round being his first breakthrough of the new season at Manchester City, scoring a hat-trick right away would absolutely be a huge achievement for Bony, bringing him full confidence!

By now, Bony was getting a bit carried away~

He began imagining in his mind how after the match ends, because of the hat-trick, he will take the match ball from the referee and invite all teammates for signatures in the dressing room;

and that's not enough, he needs to upload the photo of the signed ball on social media to enjoy countless fans' likes and cheers.

"Heh heh, even without Agüero, what of it. I, Bony, have proven myself with strength; don't talk about second-striker status, even as Manchester City's lead striker, I have the strength and capability for it!"

Mentality.

Mentality is an undeniable factor.

Actually, given Bony's ability, with Tang Long on the field feeding balls, and facing the trailing Everton, scoring another goal shouldn't be much of an issue.

But the problem is, Bony's mentality is unsteady; at this moment, he's a little inflated, a bit complacent.

If it were Agüero who scored twice, the countless experiences of big scenes and major matches this world star has endured would allow him to maintain a calm heart.

Often, the next goal follows naturally from this state of calmness.

But Bony just can't do it. As a player who came from a small club to Manchester City's grand stage, Bony eagerly wants to prove himself, yet this intense desire for self-validation clouds his mind.

In the 61st minute of the second half, Bony had a great one-on-one opportunity!

The through-pass from Tang Long wasn't really spectacular, just a result of Everton being two goals down, forced to the brink, all players pressing forward.

Whether it was Jiang Guangtai or Stones, these two tall center-backs weren't lacking in physical traits, but seeing their elder brothers press forward, the two young lads heatedly joined in, raising their defensive line to the midfield position.