The halftime whistle had blown, and the players trudged off the pitch, heads low and spirits heavy. Inside the Derby County locker room, the atmosphere was tense. Sweat-drenched jerseys clung to players as they took their seats, some staring blankly at the floor, others burying their faces in their hands. The silence was deafening.
On the other side of the stadium, the Bristol City locker room was anything but subdued. Laughter and jeers filled the air as players reveled in their 2-0 lead.
"So, this is the team that's unbeaten since the beginning of the year?" one player chuckled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Feels like we're playing a Sunday league side."
Another turned his attention to a monitor showing replays of the first half. The camera lingered on David Jones.
"And that's their prodigy? The kid everyone's been hyping up?" he mocked. "Guess he's all bark and no bite."
The room erupted in laughter, but their coach quickly intervened.
"Enough!" he barked, his tone sharp and commanding. "You've done well so far, but don't let your guard down. This is still a dangerous team. Play with the same intensity, or you'll regret it."
Back in the Derby County locker room, Wayne Rooney stood at the center, his presence commanding. His voice broke the silence like a whip.
"Alright, listen up!" Rooney began, his eyes sweeping the room. "That first half wasn't good enough. But it's done. We're not out of this. Two goals can be turned around."
He paced the room, stopping to look each player in the eye.
"Curtis," Rooney said, turning to the veteran defender. "Get ready. You're going on. And you're taking the armband."
Curtis Davies's eyes lit up as he nodded, already standing to warm up. Rooney handed him the captain's armband and gripped his shoulder firmly.
"With you on," Rooney said, his voice firm, "I swear they won't score again."
Davies's response was immediate and resolute. "Not on my watch."
Rooney turned his attention to the attackers.
"Now, we need goals. And I'm looking at you lot up front to make it happen. Score, win this game. Show them who we are."
David, sitting in the corner, clenched his fists. He shot to his feet, his voice breaking through the tension.
"Yeah!" he shouted.
Laughter rippled through the room, cutting through the tension.
"Our kid here's hyped," Rooney said, a grin breaking through his otherwise serious demeanor. "So, what say you?"
"Yeah!" the team roared in unison; the room suddenly alive with energy.
The second half kicked off with renewed intensity. Pride Park erupted as Derby poured forward, their aggression catching Bristol City off guard.
Curtis Davies immediately made his presence known. He threw himself into tackles, intercepted dangerous passes, and marshaled the backline with authority.
"Davies is making an impact already," the commentator observed. "The veteran defender's leadership is exactly what Derby needed."
Up front, David Jones came alive. His pace and trickery were causing havoc down the right flank. In the 52nd minute, he weaved past two defenders, sending in a dangerous cross that narrowly missed Martyn Waghorn's head.
"The young lad's got fire in his boots tonight," the co-commentator remarked. "He's determined to make a difference."
Despite Derby's relentless pressure, the breakthrough didn't come until the 65th minute. Max Lowe surged down the left wing, evading his marker before cutting the ball back to Waghorn. Without hesitation, Waghorn unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box. The ball soared into the top corner.
Martyn Waghorn 1-2, 65th minute, Derby County.
"WHAT A GOAL!" the commentator shouted. "Waghorn with an absolute screamer! Derby are back in this!"
The stadium exploded with noise, fans leaping to their feet in celebration. The players rallied, sensing a shift in momentum.
Bristol City, rattled, tried to regain control, but Derby's relentless pressure didn't let up. In the 74th minute, after a string of substitutions, another opportunity presented itself. David Jones darted into the box, his quick feet leaving defenders floundering. He fired a low shot that the Bristol keeper parried, only for the ball to fall perfectly for Tom Lawrence, who slammed it home.
Tom Lawrence 2-2, 74th minute, Derby County.
"It's all square!" the commentator roared. "Derby have clawed their way back!"
The players celebrated wildly, their camaraderie evident. In the stands, the atmosphere was electric, with fans chanting and cheering their team on.
Bristol City, however, were not content to settle for a draw. They pushed forward with renewed urgency, testing Derby's defense. But Curtis Davies stood tall, clearing cross after cross, his leadership and composure keeping the home side in the game.
As the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, tensions reached a fever pitch. Derby won a free kick just outside the box after David was brought down by a clumsy challenge.
Wayne Rooney stepped up to take it, the fans already anticipating a moment of magic. But David approached him, his voice steady despite the pressure.
"Let me take it," David said, his eyes locked with Rooney's. "I can do this."
Rooney studied the young winger for a moment before nodding, a small smile playing on his lips.
"I believe in you, kid," he said, tapping David on the shoulder before stepping aside.
The crowd murmured in surprise.
"The 16-year-old is taking the free kick," the commentator noted. "Highly unusual, considering he hasn't taken any set pieces before. But knowing this kid, let's watch and see."
David placed the ball carefully, taking a deep breath as he stepped back. The stadium fell into an almost eerie silence, all eyes on the teenager. The Bristol keeper adjusted his position slightly, leaning towards one side of the goal.
David noticed. His mind raced, calculating angles and power. As the referee blew the whistle, time seemed to slow. David took a step forward, then another, and struck the ball cleanly.
The crowd collectively held its breath as the ball sailed through the air...