The next round of the EFL Championship will see Cambridge United travel to Bloomfield Road to challenge Blackpool.
Fortunately, Huang Hao's team had no match on Christmas Day. On December 26th, the team would welcome Coventry's challenge at the Abbey Stadium.
This way, he could relax with Lin Kexin on Christmas, after all, they had been officially dating for a year! He was usually too busy focusing on training to do anything else.
Blackpool, also known as the Seasiders, like most English teams, was founded very early. Blackpool was founded in 1877, and the 1950s were Blackpool's golden age. The legendary English star Stanley Matthews came from Blackpool, and the 1953 FA Cup was Blackpool's only honor.
Since the 21st century, Blackpool has been hovering between League One and the EFL Championship. This season, Blackpool has also been mediocre, ranking 16th.
In this match, Huang Hao continued to test the chemistry on the front line, pairing Vardy and Lewandowski.
In the 4th minute of the first half, Blackpool threw in from the right side of their backfield. Right-back Baptiste tried to pass the ball directly to midfield, but the pass lacked power and was intercepted by May midway!
May passed to O'Connor in front, and O'Connor seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. After receiving the ball with his back to the goal, he turned and passed in one smooth motion!
This powerful pass went through three Blackpool defenders in a row, reaching the edge of the penalty area!
As the ball passed Blackpool's defender Kone, Vardy and Ivatt appeared in front of the ball simultaneously!
Ivatt, eager to clear, squeezed in front of Vardy, and before he was ready, the ball had already flown in front of him! Ivatt instinctively chested the ball down, but the ball was so powerful that it bounced directly off Ivatt's chest!
The ball, unfortunately, landed perfectly in front of Lewandowski!
Lewandowski suddenly accelerated to the ball and directly shot with his left foot towards the near post!
Goalkeeper Rachubka was unable to save and watched the ball enter the net!
0:1! Cambridge United got a dream start!
In the 8th minute of the first half, Blackpool earned a corner kick on the left.
Homani took a short corner, and the ball quickly returned to his feet. At this point, Homani was already approaching the edge of the penalty area!
Facing Mahrez's pressing, Homani tried to tap the ball to Charlie Adam in the middle of the penalty area.
Tadić accelerated out of the penalty area and directly intercepted the pass!
While Blackpool's players had not yet returned to their defensive positions, Tadić directly sent a long pass to the front field!
Vardy on the right side of the front field successfully brought down the ball!
The remaining Belcher struggled to defend against the excellent dribbling of Vardy and was quickly shaken off by him!
Vardy sent a beautiful curving ball to the left side of Blackpool's penalty area!
The ball drew a beautiful rainbow in the air!
Lewandowski arrived like a speeding horse and volleyed directly!
The ball flew into the net just under the crossbar!!!
0:2! Cambridge United scored two goals within 5 minutes!
In the 29th minute, Blackpool launched a counterattack from their backfield.
Holmes sent a long over-the-top pass, and the ball flew directly to Cambridge United's front field!
Tyreke Warren lost in a challenge with Charlie Adam and was overtaken by his opponent!
Warren used his last bit of strength to catch up to his opponent, and the two became entangled! Just as Adam was about to enter the penalty area, he was pulled down by Warren!
The referee blew his whistle!
Huang Hao's heart sank! This was very likely a red card!
Fortunately, the Head Coach Marriner was lenient and only showed Warren a yellow card!
Immediately, Blackpool's players surrounded Marriner, trying to get Warren sent off with a red card!
Huang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. This result was naturally very satisfactory to him, so he stood on the sidelines with a 'watching the show' mentality, leisurely watching the two sides argue.
In the end, Blackpool's players were still unable to change the yellow card decision, and at the same time, their team also earned a free kick almost on the edge of the penalty area.
Adam decided to take the free kick himself.
To the right of the goal was a 5-man wall, and O'Connor was once again lying at his teammates' feet.
Pantilimon's position was biased towards the right side of the goal. He nervously adjusted the position of the wall, trying to minimize Adam's shooting options.
The referee blew his whistle, Adam ran up, jumped and used his instep, choosing to shoot towards the left side of the goal!
The ball first curved around the outside of the wall, then flew towards the goal with strong inward spin!
Pantilimon immediately jumped, fully extending his body in the air!
However, the angle of the ball was tricky, flying into the goal just inside the left post!
In the 31st minute, after repeated exchanges of possession between the two sides, May once again got the ball.
After observing the positions of his teammates in front, May directly transferred the ball to Bennett on the left wing.
Bennett dribbled straight towards the byline, successfully creating distance from Flanagan by repeatedly changing his dribbling rhythm!
Bennett immediately crossed!
Lewandowski slid in front of the goal to shoot! The ball entered the net again!!!
Hat-trick!!! 1:3!!!
Huang Hao ran wildly along the edge of the field in excitement. How long had it been since he had encountered such an efficient offense!
I love Lewandowski!!!
Although Blackpool then pulled one back through Morell, Vardy's goal for Cambridge United completely extinguished the opponent's hope of equalizing!
On the Cambridge United team bus returning to the Cambridge United Training Base, the players were in an uproar. After a big victory, the atmosphere was naturally good.
The next day, the team took a day off as usual.
Huang Hao also did not appear at the Cambridge United Training Base. Since having Lin Kexin, Huang Hao seemed to have become a bit lazier, after all, life had gained many more expectations.
Huang Hao was quickly pulled up by Lin Kexin to accompany her to Lion Yard Shopping Centre to start purchasing supplies for Christmas.
Although for them it was a foreign holiday, the strong festive atmosphere in England still made everyone spontaneously prepare the necessary items for the holiday.
In the past, for the single Huang Hao, it was indeed worry-free. His Christmas was spent being taken out by Li Jianqin to eat and drink excessively.
And after becoming the Head Coach of Cambridge United, he dedicated all his thoughts to the team, transforming into a workaholic.
Now, looking at Lin Kexin's nimble and happy back, and seeing the shopping cart filled with various delicacies and decorations, Huang Hao's heart felt a sense of peace he had never experienced before.
However, this year's Christmas would not be disrupted by Li Jianqin and Ouyang Bing. Compared to Huang Hao who couldn't get away, the two who could leave whenever they wanted went directly to Switzerland for a vacation, even sending a few photos from time to time to provoke Huang Hao.
Huang Hao directly threatened to cancel Ouyang Bing's vacation, which made the arrogant Li Jianqin somewhat restrain himself.
Huang Hao was also quite envious of their carefree lifestyle.
Perhaps when Cambridge United truly stabilizes, he should also retire and become a chairman who can take vacations whenever he wants, which doesn't seem bad either.
Unfortunately, the probability of this day being realized within a few years is slim.
Thinking of this, Huang Hao sighed deeply and decided to work diligently!
Under Lin Kexin's coquettish threats, Huang Hao painstakingly carried a Christmas tree back home!
The already small apartment was instantly taken over by a large part of the Christmas tree. Looking at the room beautifully decorated by Lin Kexin, Huang Hao repeatedly marveled at the magic of women!
The Christmas tree was hung with small balls of various colors, sparkling in response to the string lights by the window.
The carpet was covered with various gift boxes and snacks, truly filled with a festive atmosphere!
Huang Hao watched Lin Kexin bustling about, a happy smile always on his face.
"Lin Kexin, let's buy a house later, this place is too small."
Huang Hao still lived in the Arthur Apartment from when he first came to Cambridge. The space of over 30 square meters felt much more cramped for two people.
"Ah! I think this place is pretty good, a smaller place is so much cozier!"
Lin Kexin didn't care about these things. In her eyes, as long as two people were together, no matter where they were, they were happy.
"We'll find time to look. Let's buy a small house with a garden and plant the flowers and plants you like."
"It's not like we don't have the means," Huang Hao added domineeringly.
For a moment, Lin Kexin also fell into reverie, thinking it was indeed a good idea. So she happily wrapped her arms around Huang Hao's neck:
"Then it's a promise!"
"It's a promise!"
With that, Huang Hao embraced Lin Kexin.
It was another night full of spring's vibrancy.
After six days of rest, Cambridge United appeared at the Abbey Stadium, once again challenging Coventry.
In the first half, neither team showed a strong desire to win, perhaps it was the post-Christmas syndrome.
The match had few exciting moments, and at the end of the first half, both sides were still scoreless.
The 0:0 score was carried into the second half.
In the 55th minute, midfielder O'Connor's header was a bit weak, and the ball did not successfully reach Smith's feet.
Jakson stopped the ball and passed it back to Walsh in the middle. Walsh threaded the ball to Molson in front, while pointing to the right wing.
Molson understood, and after receiving the ball, he immediately transferred it to the right wing, giving it to Taylor who was making a run!
Blackett-Taylor used his excellent speed to directly shake off the defending Bola, carried the ball to the byline, and successfully crossed!
Greenwood, at the near post, performed a 'rhinoceros looking at the moon' header, sending the ball towards the near post!
Pantilimon stretched out his arm with all his might, tipping the ball over the crossbar!
In the 62nd minute, Coventry earned a free kick on the left side of the front field.
Walsh passed the ball to Jakson in the penalty area, and Jakson directly distributed it to Furlong on the left side of the penalty area!
May quickly rushed forward to press!
The Head Coach blew his whistle!
Huang Hao was stunned! What? A penalty???
May spread his hands, looking innocent.
Cole, who had become Cambridge United's captain for this match, immediately rushed forward to question the referee's decision!
This time, Huang Hao learned his lesson. After all, the next match was too important for him. He would rather lose this match than be sent off!
Ultimately, the referee did not change his decision, and Coventry earned a penalty kick!
Walsh calmly placed the ball on the penalty spot, glanced at the goal, and slowly retreated.
Run-up!
Shot towards the bottom left corner of the goal!
Pantilimon quickly moved on the goal line!
He directly pressed the ball under him!!!
Huang Hao shouted
yes!
his excitement no less than if Pantilimon had scored a goal!
Walsh looked up to the sky and sighed!
Saint Pantilimon had descended once again!
Cambridge United's morale was instantly ignited by Pantilimon! Their pressing on the field was clearly more aggressive!
In the 71st minute, Peola dribbled past midfield and sent a long pass, attempting to find his teammate on the left side of the penalty area!
Sun Jihai burst out midway, directly bringing down the ball at the edge of the penalty area! He followed up with a long pass!
Bennett swept past Pierce!
Pierce cried out in alarm and immediately chased after him!
However, Bennett took two steps to dribble into the penalty area!
Even with two players chasing him, Bennett remained calm. Facing the goalkeeper who was positioned forward, he chipped the ball directly towards the far corner of the goal!
Coventry goalkeeper Pym, in a half-crouch, frantically reached out to catch the flying ball!
Unfortunately, he lost his balance and instantly fell to the ground!
Pym lay on the ground, desperately watching the ball fly over his head, hoping it would miss the goal!
However, the ball steadily landed in Coventry's goal!
1:0!
Cambridge United successfully secured 3 points at home.