The ball sailed over the wall of players in red, dipping downwards toward the top left corner of the net. It seemed destined to score as it descended with power.
{Pearson strikes it!}
{Henderson makes a spectacular save, but the ball is still in play!}
Dean Henderson, the United goalkeeper, watched the ball as he dove, managing to graze it with his fingers. The ball hit the top of the crossbar and bounced back into play.
"Clear! Clear!" Marcus heard someone from the touchline, probably the Manchester United coach, shouting at his players. The penalty area became a scramble as everyone tried to get their foot to it first.
Fabio Carvalho was the quickest to react, racing toward the ball and trying to poke it with his toe. Still, Dean Henderson quickly recovered and stepped forward, blocking Fabio's attempt with his left arm and sending the ball out of play for a corner.
{Dean Henderson might have just secured the man of the match!}
{A fantastic double save, wasn't it, Alan?} asked Martin Tyler, the commentator.
{Yeah, Martin. Hats off to the goalkeeper there. He's showing some excellent reflexes.}
Marcus had his hands on his face as he saw the ball go out of play. He knew that might have been their only chance to equalize, but he quickly headed toward the corner flag.
Fabio Carvalho played the corner short, passing the ball to Marcus, who had just arrived at the flag. Marcus received the ball with a deft touch and spun around, moving closer to the penalty box with no United player closing him down.
He delivered a cross into the box, but Dean Henderson rose highest to claim the ball, lying on the ground to waste a few more seconds.
{Henderson saves again!}
{A spectacular performance so far from the United goalkeeper,} shouted the commentator.
Coach Anderson stood on the touchline, watching Henderson claim the ball. He sighed and went to sit on the bench, taking a sip from his water bottle, knowing that his team would be knocked out of the Papa John's Trophy as he watched the massive clock at Old Trafford tick toward the 88th minute.
Dean Henderson laid on the ground for almost a whole minute before the Fulham players began complaining to the referee that he was wasting time.
The referee made his way to Henderson and gave him a yellow card for time-wasting. Henderson then stood up and played the ball long into Fulham's half. The ball reached its peak in the air just as the referee blew the final whistle, dashing Fulham's hopes of a Papa John's Trophy semi-final tie.
Marcus stood watching some of his teammates lying on the ground as the United players celebrated. He went to them, encouraging each one, as he noticed Coach Anderson walking toward them.
"Come on, lads, this isn't the time for sulking. We played well. Now come, let's appreciate the traveling fans," he said as the players stood and rallied toward the east side of the stadium where their supporters were, clapping and waving their hands.
Mia watched as she saw Marcus and his teammates waving to their supporters. She wanted to talk to him but knew he wouldn't have time due to his team's schedule. 'He's probably frustrated; I should text him tonight,' she thought as she stood and made her way out of the stadium.
The Fulham players made their way to the tunnel, leaving the United players still celebrating with their supporters. Marcus spotted Alex celebrating with his teammates as his anger flared, but before he could react, Harvey Elliott wrapped his arm around him and said, "It's not worth it, mate."
"Yeah... you're right," Marcus replied, heading toward the tunnel.
They took post-match showers and headed onto their team bus.
The mood on the bus was somber as the team made their way back to London. Marcus sat by the window, watching the streets of Manchester fly by. "If only I were a bit faster... if only I had more stamina..." he thought, squeezing his fists, promising himself to focus on improving the physical aspect of his game with Coach Dmitri as soon as he returned to Motspur Park.