Rise of a Football God

BAM!

"…!" Martin Dubravka was rooted to the spot, stunned as the ball nestled into the top left corner of the net.

St. James' Park was stunned.

Even before the fans could react, the commentator already reacted.

"ZINEDINE SAM…!"

"ZINEDINE SAM…!"

"ZINEDINE SAM…!!!"

"My God! What a goal!"

"The King… is back!"

"Reporters, you're looking for the perfect script, there you have it! The return of the Black Mamba!"

"What a way for Sam to announce his return from injury!"

"All he needed was 18 minutes!"

"18 minutes to show what Fulham have missed for a month, 18 minutes to show the talent that is packed inside this athletic body and brain!"

"Sam is the real OG! He's the protagonist and every one of us are just side characters in his story!"

"What a script! What a moment to be alive!"

While the commentator raved about his goal, Sam was already unleashed.

Since entering this game, he had not said a word as he tried to regain that feeling that made him one of the stand-out players and top performer of the 2024/2025 premier league season.

With Bruno Guimaraes man-marking him, Sam found that regaining his mojo was harder than ever but he didn't give up which was his trademark.

By not giving up, staying believing, he was able to keep his focus till the last 4 minutes of the fulltime when he did his miracle.

The first time when he scored, reducing Newcastle United's lead to just 1 goal, Sam did not celebrate because his club was still losing.

But now that he scored a brace, bringing this game level against all odds in away ground, he no longer held himself back. He became unrestrained.

As the commentator raved about his goal, with eyes dilated in ecstasy finally, Sam removed his Fulham away jersey, waving it like a mad man as he charged towards the corner flag with his teammates swarming after him.

As soon as he got to the corner flag, he flung his jersey towards the fans as showcasing his 6-packs towards the onlooking fans, he screamed in joy.

"I'm back!" His voice was shrill and filled with ecstasy.

An anonymous Newcastle United fan was the lucky one who got his jersey.

The crazy thing at this moment was the fact that despite the fact that Sam was celebrating so passionately before them, strangely, there was no boos blasting from the corners of this stadium.

At this moment, in an incredible display of respect, the Newcastle United fans kept their still, content with appreciating greatness.

St. James' Park was tamed.

The commentator laughed. "What aura!"

"Sam truly is the protagonist! Man is so good the hostile fans can't even bring themselves to boo him, pride is the only reason why Sam is not receiving a standing ovation at this moment!"

"And just like that, Fulham are back in the title race!"

"But it's a draw!" The commentator's partner commented.

"It doesn't matter that it's a draw," the commentator laughed. "That goal rescued more than just a point for Fulham, it also rescued their confidence".

"Sam's 2 goals today are a warning to the rest of the premier league".

"A warning that the Black Mamba is back!"

"Liverpool should get ready for a battle to the end!"

About a minute later of crazy celebrations, as the celebrations died down, the referee who lurked at a corner since finally performed his voodoo magic, brandishing a yellow card to Sam for removing his jersey.

"…" Sam was dumbfounded but he did not pay too much attention to it.

After the referee's whistle sounded to continue play, he added just 2 minutes of extra time to the game but by then, all the ammunition in this game was already exhausted as both teams settled for protecting the scoreline.

After 90 plus 2 additional minutes of incredible football, this thriller game finally came to an end 3-3 as both clubs shared the spoils, 1 point a piece.

After an impressive performance for 90 minutes that culminated with his 2 goals and 1 assist, despite the fact that his team didn't win the game and despite Sam's late heroics, Bruno Guimaraes still won the man of the match award.

…

In the post-match interview, after the reporter congratulated the Brazilian midfielder on his impressive display today, he finally asked a question. "What is your opinion on Samuel Moses?"

Hearing that question, the Brazilian scratched the back of his head. "Well, if I'm to describe Sam with one sentence this season, then he's the break-out star".

The Brazilian smiled. "Last season, he led Fulham to the EFL Cup title but this season is when he truly showed his level of talent to the rest of the league".

"From what I hear, he's also a great professional despite his young age. Like the others, I believe that Sam is destined for the top, it's just a matter of time".

"Well, a lot of people agree with you Bruno". The female reporter smiled.

"Thanks for having me, do have a nice day".

"You too".

With that, the Brazilian left to join his teammates in the dressing room.

…

It was right inside the Fulham team bus that the celebrations started as Marco Silva's men celebrated Sam's return to the pitch finally.

Most of them still could not believe their fortune.

They thought Sam was out for 4 months, to suddenly know that this was time slashed by 3/4th, they could not have been happier.

Having Sam was back, he brought the good vibes with him.

After the games today, the next day, more premier league games were played and then eventually on 3rd February, the last game of matchday 24 of the English premier league between Chelsea and West Ham was finally played.

The fixture results were revealed and with it, the premier league table was updated.

(Premier league:)

(Matchday 24 of 38:)

(Nottm Forest 1-0 Brighton)

(Date: 1st February, 2025)

…

(Newcastle 3-3 Fulham)

(Date: 1st February, 2025)

…

(Everton 2-1 Leicester City)

(Date: 1st February, 2025)

…

(Ipswich Town 3-1 Southampton)

(Date: 1st February, 2025)

…

(Bournemouth 2-4 Liverpool)

(Date: 1st February, 2025)

…

(Wolves 0-2 Aston Villa)

(Date: 1st February, 2025) Discover stories with empire

…

(Man United 0-2 Crystal Palace)

(Date: 2nd February, 2025)

…

(Brentford 1-1 Tottenham)

(Date: 2nd February, 2025)

…

(Arsenal 3-1 Man City)

(Date: 2nd February, 2025)

…

(Chelsea 4-0 West Ham)

(Date: 3rd February, 2025)

…

(Updated premier league table standings:)

(1. Liverpool GP: 23/ W:18/ D:2/ L:2/ Pts: 60)

(2. Chelsea GP: 24/ W:16/ D:6/ L:2/ Pts: 54)

(3. Fulham GP: 24/ W:16/ D:5/ L:3/ Pts: 54)

(4. Arsenal GP: 24/ W:15/ D:7/ L:2/ Pts: 52)

(5. Nottm Forest GP: 24/ W:11/ D:8/ L:5/ Pts: 41)

(6. Brighton GP: 24/ W:10/ D:7/ L:7/ Pts: 37)

(7. Man City GP: 24/ W:10/ D:6/ L:8/ Pts: 36)

(8. Aston Villa GP: 24/ W:11/ D:6/ L:8/ Pts: 39)

(9. Tottenham GP: 24/ W:11/ D:3/ L:10/ Pts: 36)

(10. Newcastle GP: 24/ W:9/ D:8/ L:7/ Pts: 35)

(11. Bournemouth GP: 24/ W:9/ D:5/ L:10/ Pts: 32)

(12. Brentford GP: 24/ W:9/ D:5/ L:10/ Pts: 32)

(13. Man United GP: 24/ W:9/ D:4/ L:11/ Pts: 31)

(14. West Ham GP: 24/ W:7/ D:6/ L:11/ Pts: 26)

(15. Crystal Palace GP: 24/ W:5/ D:9/ L:10/ Pts: 24)

(16. Leicester GP: 24/ W:3/ D:8/ L:13/ Pts: 17)

(17. Everton GP: 23/ W:4/ D:5/ L:14/ Pts: 17)

(18. Ipswich Town GP: 24/ W:3/ D:8/ L:13/ Pts: 17)

(19. Southampton GP: 24/ W:3/ D:2/ L:19/ Pts: 11)

(20. Wolves GP: 24/ W:1/ D:6/ L:17/ Pts: 9)

***

[NOTE: Phew..., last chapter of the year. Read author's note.]