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***
The Etihad Stadium buzzed with excitement as fans filled the stands, scarves waving and banners held high. It was the 3rd round of the FA Cup, and after a couple of lackluster draws and injury setbacks, City fans were eager to see their side dominate once again. Chants of "The King is Back!" and "Blue Moon Galacticos!" echoed through the concourses. Ever since City's transformation into a European powerhouse, comparisons to Real Madrid's Galacticos became more frequent. With stars like Hazard, De Bruyne, Silva, and the unstoppable Adriano, City was no longer just a contender—they were the team to beat.
Pellegrini fielded a bold 4-3-3 formation, designed for pure attack. Joe Hart guarded the posts with his typical commanding presence. In defense, the new faces, Joshua Kimmich and Andrew Robertson, flanked the ever-reliable Hummels and Mangala. In midfield, Casemiro sat deep, breaking up play and distributing to the creators, while De Bruyne roamed freely, orchestrating the attack. Adriano, the young Portuguese superstar, operated as the central attacking midfielder, with Harry Kane leading the line and flanked by Hazard on the left and Salah on the right.
Wolves, on the other hand, set up defensively, aiming to absorb pressure and break on the counter with a 4-5-1 setup. They knew the firepower City had, and the game plan was clear—survive and counter if possible.
Martin Tyler remarked with a chuckle, " Manchester City looks fired up Alan. They are eager to get a win today. Adriano has put on the captains arm band for the first time , he has a job to lead from the front."
Alan Smith replied , " Right Martin. Big pressure on the lad. Leading a team at just 18, although he will be 19 next month on February 6th. Although from his blistering form, I don't doubt he can handle it."
***
From the very first whistle, Manchester City showcased their intent. Kimmich and Robertson surged high up the pitch, almost acting as auxiliary wingers, pressing Wolves back into their own half and pinning them against the ropes. Salah and Hazard stretched the play wide, hugging the touchlines and forcing Wolves' full-backs to abandon their defensive structure just to keep pace. The ball zipped between City players, one-touch passing carving through Wolves' midfield lines.
In the 10th minute, City's pressure nearly paid off. De Bruyne, finding a pocket of space just outside the box, unleashed a swerving strike that forced the Wolves goalkeeper into a full-stretch save. His punch sent the ball spiraling out for a corner. The Etihad roared in approval, sensing that the breakthrough was imminent.
Martin Tyler's voice hummed with anticipation."City are pinning them back, Alan. It's relentless. They're moving the ball with such purpose."
Alan Smith replied confidently."It's only a matter of time, Martin. Wolves can't sustain this pressure forever. City are just picking them apart, bit by bit."
City's midfield trio of Adriano , De Bruyne, and Casemiro dictated the tempo, recycling possession patiently, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Wolves, meanwhile, could do little but scramble back into their compact 5-4-1 shape, defending desperately to plug the gaps.
The breakthrough finally came in the 24th minute. Hazard, who had been causing problems on the left flank all evening, picked up the ball near the halfway line. He danced past the first defender with a drop of the shoulder, slid past another with a flick of his boot, and suddenly found space to surge forward. The Etihad crowd rose to its feet in anticipation.
"Go on, Eden!" shouted Kimmich from behind, pushing forward in support.
Hazard didn't need the encouragement. He spotted Kane's movement in the box and whipped in a wicked cross with his left foot, curling it away from the keeper and into the danger zone. Kane, perfectly positioned between Wolves' center-backs, leapt like a salmon, towering over his marker. He met the ball with a thunderous header, guiding it with precision into the bottom right corner.
The net bulged.
GOAL ANNOUNCER:"GOOOAAALLL!! HARRY KANE! MANCHESTER CITY TAKE THE LEAD! 1–0!"
Kane wheeled away with his arms spread wide, running towards the corner flag before sliding on his knees. His teammates quickly followed. Adriano was first to reach him, slapping him hard on the back, laughing."Finally using that big head of yours!" Adriano joked, flashing a grin.
Kane, still catching his breath, fired back with a chuckle."Just wait till the next one! I've got a few more in me!"
Hazard came up, patting Kane on the back. "Perfect run, mate. Knew you'd be there."
"And perfect cross," Kane responded, offering a fist bump.
Martin Tyler's voice filled the broadcast."And that's what City can do to you. The patience, the movement, and when the moment comes... clinical, absolutely clinical."
Alan Smith chimed in."You've got to admire the delivery from Hazard, Martin. Right on the money. And Kane? He's never missing from there. City look unstoppable right now."
The Etihad was rocking, chants of "Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone…" filled the cold Manchester air. Flags waved, scarves were held aloft, and City fans roared with pride. Wolves' players gathered near the center circle, heads down, visibly rattled by City's relentless attack. Their back line exchanged frustrated glances, knowing full well that City was far from finished.
Adriano jogged back to his position, giving Kane a nudge."I'm expecting another one, mate."
Kane just grinned back. "It's coming. Just watch."
With the momentum firmly in their grasp, City reset, ready to pile on more pressure. The tone had been set, and Wolves were on the ropes.
***
City's momentum only grew stronger after Kane's opener. Wolves, clearly shaken, retreated deeper, trying desperately to hold the line, but City's relentless pressure began to stretch them. Kimmich and Robertson surged up the flanks like clockwork, sending in dangerous crosses that tested the Wolves' back line time and again.
Kimmich nearly created a second goal in the 31st minute when his low-driven cross skidded across the six-yard box, just inches away from Hazard's sliding boot. The Belgian threw his hands up in frustration, a smile still tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Next one's mine," he shouted to Kimmich, who gave him a thumbs-up.
The breakthrough for the second goal came in the 36th minute, and it was a masterclass in vision and instinct. De Bruyne, with that signature elegance, collected the ball just inside Wolves' half. He scanned the pitch, eyes darting, before spotting Adriano drifting near the edge of the box, surrounded by two defenders. With a deft lobbed pass, De Bruyne floated the ball perfectly into Adriano's path.
Adriano, not even bothering to turn, executed an audacious back-heel flick that sliced open the Wolves defense with surgical precision. The ball rolled smoothly through the gap, right into the path of Salah, who had timed his run to perfection.
"That's just outrageous from Adriano!" Martin Tyler exclaimed. "The vision, the awareness… it's as if he's got eyes in the back of his head."
Alan Smith chuckled in disbelief. "He knew exactly where Salah would be, Martin. That's pure instinct. And credit to Salah—he's still got work to do."
Salah took one quick touch to steady himself as the goalkeeper rushed out, but the Egyptian stayed calm, slotting a low, composed finish into the bottom corner. The ball kissed the inside of the post and rippled the net.
GOAL ANNOUNCER:"MOHAMED SALAH DOUBLES THE LEAD! 2–0 FOR MANCHESTER CITY!"
The Etihad exploded in celebration. Blue smoke flared in the stands as fans held their scarves high, singing at full volume. Salah sprinted towards the corner flag, sliding onto his knees with his arms spread wide. Hazard and Kane rushed to join him, practically tackling him with joy.
Adriano jogged over with a grin, clapping loudly. He ruffled Salah's hair with both hands."That's how you do it!" Adriano laughed, his grin as wide as ever.
Salah, catching his breath, shot back with a smirk."Only because you did the hard part," he replied, tapping Adriano's chest.
Kimmich joined them, patting Salah on the back."I didn't even see you, man. That was class," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Salah just shrugged, still smiling."You give me that kind of service, it's hard to miss," he replied.
"City are putting on a clinic right now, Alan. It's not just the goals—it's the manner in which they're doing it," Martin Tyler observed.
"It's frightening, really," Alan Smith agreed. "Adriano's touch for that assist...that's the sort of thing you pay to watch. And Salah, he's been waiting for that all game. You feel like there's more coming, Martin."
Wolves' heads dropped. Their back line exchanged frustrated glances, their captain clapping his hands desperately, trying to rally his teammates. But the damage was done, and City smelled blood.
***
The match had already been slipping away from Wolves, but City weren't satisfied with just two goals. Their intensity didn't wane; if anything, it grew stronger. Pellegrini's men continued to press high, cutting off passing lanes and forcing mistakes, suffocating any hope of a counterattack. Wolves were pinned back, boxed into their own third as City's players interchanged with fluidity and purpose.
The third goal came from a piece of counterattacking brilliance in the 43rd minute, that left the Wolves' defense stranded. It began with a clearance from Mangala after a rare Wolves foray into City's half. The ball sailed towards midfield, where Kane muscled his way past his marker, chesting the ball down before flicking it around his opponent with a neat touch.
"Look at that control from Harry Kane," Martin Tyler noted, his voice rising with anticipation. "He's shrugged off his man like he wasn't even there!"
Alan Smith chimed in. "He's got Adriano making that run. Wolves are in real trouble here, Martin."
Kane drove forward with power and purpose, his strides eating up the turf as Wolves scrambled to get back. Three defenders converged, but Kane was unphased, holding them off before spotting Adriano's darting run to his right.
"That's intelligent play from Kane," Alan Smith continued. "He's dragging them in, waiting for the perfect moment."
Kane's timing was impeccable. Just as the defenders committed, he slid a perfectly weighted pass into Adriano's path, splitting the defense in two. The Portuguese forward latched onto it, now in acres of space with only the keeper to beat. The Wolves goalkeeper rushed out desperately, but Adriano remained ice-cold, slotting it past him with clinical precision.
GOAL ANNOUNCER:"ADRIANO! THREE FOR MANCHESTER CITY! THEY'RE RUNNING RIOT!"
The Etihad erupted. Fans rose to their feet, scarves swirling above their heads as chants of "AR10! AR10!" filled the cold Manchester air. Adriano turned to Kane with a beaming grin, pointing straight at him."Unselfish, I like that!" Adriano shouted over the noise, giving Kane a playful slap on the back.
Kane just shrugged, a smirk on his face."I'm learning from the best," he shot back, and the two embraced as the rest of the team caught up, patting their backs and exchanging nods of approval.
De Bruyne jogged over, chuckling."I thought you were gonna be greedy there, Harry," he teased, giving Kane a shove.
Kane laughed, brushing it off."Nah, you know me," he grinned. "Team first."
Kimmich joined the huddle, patting Adriano on the shoulder."How do you always find that space?" he asked with a shake of his head.
Adriano laughed, still catching his breath."Just gotta know where you're going before the ball gets there," he replied, tapping his temple.
"That's textbook counter-attacking football," Martin Tyler remarked as the replay rolled. "The composure from Kane, the awareness to find Adriano, and the finish—just brilliant."
Alan Smith agreed, his voice tinged with admiration. "You can tell they've drilled that in training. Kane knew exactly when to release it. It's like clockwork. Wolves just couldn't live with that pace."
"And what about Adriano?" Tyler added. "He's just so composed in front of goal. That's sixteen for the season now. He's absolutely flying."
Smith nodded. "You can see the chemistry out there, Martin. This City side is relentless. Wolves are going to need a miracle to get back into this."
The halftime whistle blew shortly after, and the City players jogged off to the sound of thunderous applause. Fans sang songs of glory, their voices echoing through the Etihad as the players made their way down the tunnel. Pellegrini stood at the edge of the pitch, a satisfied grin plastered on his face. This was the kind of ruthless efficiency he demanded.
As the squad gathered in the tunnel, there were handshakes and pats on the back all around."That was perfect, lads," Kompany said, clapping his hands together. "Keep it tight second half, no slacking."
Salah leaned over to Adriano."How do you always know where I'm going?" he asked, laughing.
Adriano shrugged."Because you always do the same thing," he teased, grinning widely. "I just have to trust you won't mess it up."
Salah rolled his eyes but laughed."You better keep giving me those passes then," he replied, giving Adriano a nudge.
Kane, catching up with them, slapped Adriano on the back."I'm taking notes, mate," he said with a grin.
Adriano raised an eyebrow."Good, because I'm not writing them down for you," he joked, and the group burst into laughter as they stepped into the locker room, the noise of the stadium muffling behind them.
City had done their job in the first half—and by the look of things, they weren't quite finished yet.
***
The second half began with a subtle shift in City's approach. Pellegrini, sensing Wolves' vulnerability, made a key adjustment, bringing on David Silva for Casemiro. The Spaniard's introduction instantly brought fluidity and sharpness to City's midfield. His presence allowed De Bruyne to push further forward, while Silva floated between the lines, picking up pockets of space with ease. Wolves, already struggling to cope, now faced a fresh wave of attacking ingenuity.
City's dominance grew with every passing minute. Wolves barely got a sniff of the ball, pinned back by relentless pressure and slick passing. In the 59th minute, the breakthrough came with a touch of class.
It started with a neat exchange between Kimmich and Salah on the right. Wolves, stretched thin, tried to close down space, but Silva ghosted between two defenders, collecting the ball with a graceful turn. His vision was impeccable—he took one look up and threaded a perfect through ball right into Adriano's path, splitting the defense wide open.
"That's Silva at his absolute best," Martin Tyler said, voice brimming with admiration. "He makes it look so easy, just gliding through midfield."
"He just sees things before they happen," Alan Smith replied. "And look at Adriano's positioning—he's peeled off the defender perfectly."
Adriano, timing his run to perfection, received the pass with a delicate first touch that set him up beautifully at the edge of the box. The Wolves goalkeeper rushed out desperately, arms wide and low, but Adriano was calm—almost nonchalant. With a flick of his right foot, he chipped the ball gracefully over the keeper, watching as it floated into the back of the net.
GOAL ANNOUNCER:"ADRIANO AGAIN! FOUR-NIL FOR MANCHESTER CITY!"
The Etihad roared with approval. Fans leapt to their feet, scarves swirling in the winter air as Adriano raised his hands to the sky. His celebration was calm and measured—arms spread wide, head tilted back to absorb the moment. Silva jogged over with a grin, patting Adriano on the back.
"That pass… how do you do that?" Adriano asked, still laughing, clearly impressed.
Silva just smirked, shrugging nonchalantly."Magic, my friend," he replied, tapping his head. "You just have to know where you are… and where you're going."
De Bruyne caught up with them, shaking his head in disbelief."I swear, every time you do that, it's like you're playing with your eyes closed," he said to Silva, chuckling.
Silva laughed, patting De Bruyne on the shoulder."Maybe one day I'll teach you," he teased.
"Silva just makes the game look so effortless," Martin Tyler observed as the replay showed the Spaniard threading the ball through Wolves' lines. "That vision, that timing—it's perfect."
"And the finish from Adriano," Alan Smith added. "That's not as easy as he made it look. To chip the keeper like that with such confidence, it's world-class."
"You can see why City are so dangerous," Tyler continued. "They've got the technical quality to break you down in so many ways. Wolves look shell-shocked out there."
"It's hard to see a way back for them now," Smith agreed. "City are just in complete control."
As the players trotted back to the center circle, Hummels jogged over to pat Adriano on the back."That's the kind of finish we like to see," he grinned.
Adriano laughed."Wouldn't have happened without that pass," he replied, nodding toward Silva, who was busy catching his breath with a grin on his face.
"Teamwork, mate," Hummels added, giving Silva a thumbs up. "More of that, and we're unstoppable."
Salah jogged over, still buzzing with energy."You two are just showing off now," he teased, nudging Adriano's arm.
"Hey, we can't let you have all the fun," Adriano shot back, grinning widely.
The referee's whistle blew, bringing them back to focus. Pellegrini shouted instructions from the touchline, gesturing for the midfield to maintain their high press. There was still time to make a statement, and City looked like they weren't finished yet.
The players reset, eyes locked in concentration. Wolves stood with hands on hips, visibly deflated, while City's lineup bristled with confidence. The momentum was all theirs, and with Silva now orchestrating the play, the Etihad could sense that more was yet to come.
***
The match had long been tilted in Manchester City's favor. Wolves, frustrated and outclassed, began to resort to more physical play—lunging into late tackles, pressing with desperation, and trying to disrupt City's rhythm any way they could. City's front line absorbed the challenges, but Pellegrini, noticing the rising intensity, signaled for a change.
The fourth official held up the board, flashing the number 10 in red and 7 in green. Adriano, who had been electric all game, jogged towards the touchline. As he reached the sideline, the Etihad erupted into applause. Fans stood from their seats, clapping and chanting his name in unison:"Adriano! Adriano! Adriano!"
Martin Tyler's voice came through with admiration."Listen to that reception, Alan. The City faithful showing their appreciation for what's been another masterclass from Adriano."
Alan Smith responded, "Absolutely deserved. He's been at the heart of everything good for City today—goals, assists, link-up play. You couldn't ask for more."
As Adriano stepped off the pitch, he raised his hand to the crowd, a grin stretching across his face. Milner was already waiting at the touchline, clapping him on the back as they exchanged places."You made it look easy out there," Milner said with a grin.
Adriano chuckled, wiping sweat from his forehead."All yours now, Jimmy. Go make it five," he replied with a wink.
Milner laughed, jogging onto the pitch with energy. Adriano continued down the sideline, waving at the fans as he made his way to the bench, where Pellegrini greeted him with a handshake and a nod of approval."Top class,as usual" Pellegrini said simply with a nod, and Adriano nodded back , taking his seat with a bottle of water, eyes fixed back on the game.
***
City's tempo slowed after Adriano's exit, shifting to controlled possession, moving the ball around to sap the energy from Wolves. But Pellegrini's side wasn't finished yet. In the 84th minute, De Bruyne, still full of running, found a pocket of space in midfield. His head was up, eyes scanning the field, and then the pass came—inch-perfect, splitting Wolves' midfield with surgical precision.
"What a pass from De Bruyne!" Martin Tyler exclaimed. "He's picked him out perfectly!"
Alan Smith responded with admiration. "That's what he does, Martin. He sees things others don't. Milner's in acres of space!"
Milner, fresh and bursting with energy, timed his run to perfection. He controlled the pass with one touch, nudging it forward before glancing up to see the Wolves keeper rushing out. With ice-cold composure, Milner blasted the ball low and hard into the bottom corner, leaving the keeper rooted.
GOAL ANNOUNCER:"MILNER MAKES IT FIVE! MANCHESTER CITY IN COMPLETE CONTROL!"
The Etihad roared with approval as Milner raised both arms, clapping towards the fans with a broad smile. His celebration was modest—no theatrics, just pure appreciation for the crowd that had cheered him on for years.
De Bruyne jogged over first, giving him a playful shove."Thought you were going to miss that one," he teased, laughing.
Milner rolled his eyes."If you can pass it that well, I have to finish it," he shot back, patting De Bruyne on the back.
Salah joined them, ruffling Milner's hair with a grin."Still got it, old man," he joked, and Milner swatted his hand away, laughing."Watch it, or I'll show you again," he replied, nodding back to the center circle.
Kompany clapped his hands loudly, rallying the team."Alright, let's keep it tight! No slip-ups now!" he shouted, making eye contact with each defender. The focus returned, City reset, and Wolves trudged back, shoulders slumped and spirits battered.
"That's five goals, and you'd have to say, Martin, it's been nothing short of dominant," Alan Smith commented."Complete control from City," Tyler agreed. "They've dictated the tempo, they've pressed high, and when the chances came, they were ruthless."
"And you look at the depth too," Smith added. "They bring on Milner, and he scores within minutes. It's a statement of just how strong this squad is."
"They're looking like real contenders, Alan," Tyler concluded. "Performances like this don't just win games; they send a message."
The players returned to their positions, the clock ticking down with City's dominance firmly established. Milner flashed a smile at the fans behind the goal, who returned his grin with applause and chants. His goal had sealed it—five goals, advancement to the next round, and a performance that sent shockwaves through the league.
***
The referee blew the final whistle, and the Etihad erupted in triumphant cheers. The scoreboard gleamed with authority:Manchester City 5 – 0 Wolves.
Blue and white scarves waved proudly in the cold Manchester air as the fans belted out the familiar anthem of "Blue Moon Galacticos," their voices echoing through the stadium. Adriano stood in the center circle exhanging greetings, hands on his hips, taking in the atmosphere with a grin of satisfaction. De Bruyne jogged over, slapping him on the back."Another day at the office, huh?" De Bruyne quipped.
Adriano chuckled, catching his breath."Could get used to it," he replied, nodding towards the stands where fans were chanting his name.
He clapped his hands together, gathering the team into a quick huddle before they saluted the fans."That's what I'm talking about!" he roared, his voice loud and clear. "That's how you play at the Etihad!"
The players exchanged high fives and pats on the back as they made their way around the pitch for a quick lap of appreciation. Adriano tossed his shirt into the crowd, sparking a wild scramble among fans. Kane did the same, earning a roar of approval from the stands.
As they walked off the pitch, Pellegrini stood at the entrance, shaking hands and giving nods of approval."Well done, Adriano. Solid work," he said with a smile, patting him on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Boss. Feels good to get back on track," Adriano replied, his breathing still heavy.
Inside the dressing room, the mood was jubilant. Milner and Salah were laughing over Milner's late goal, while Robertson playfully reenacted Adriano's backheel assist to Salah."Like he's got eyes in the back of his head!" Robertson exclaimed, earning laughs from the rest of the squad.
Adriano leaned back in his chair, unlacing his boots, his eyes still bright with adrenaline. He could hear the fans outside still singing, their voices carrying through the tunnel. City was back, and they were making sure everyone knew it.
***
Pellegrini walked into the press room, composed as always, with a slight smile of satisfaction. Cameras flashed and microphones buzzed as he took his seat, adjusting the collar of his jacket before nodding to the press officer to begin.
The first question came from a local journalist."Manuel, after two straight draws and some injury concerns, how important was this victory for City's momentum?"
Pellegrini smiled slightly, nodding."Very important," he began, his hands clasped on the desk. "We knew the last couple of matches were not up to our standard, but today, the players showed their quality and resilience. It was important to respond with character, and I believe we did that."
A hand shot up from the front row."You mentioned injuries—how are things looking for Kompany, Aguero, and the others?"
Pellegrini leaned back slightly."They are recovering well. We did not want to rush anyone back. We have a long season ahead, and it's crucial that we manage their fitness. Today's performance shows that we have depth and quality in the squad."
The final question came from a reporter representing Sky Sports."Manuel, with today's performance, do you feel City is back on track to meet your season expectations?"
Pellegrini paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully."The expectation is always to compete for every trophy," he replied firmly. "This team has the quality, the spirit, and the desire. Today was a good step forward, but there is still work to be done. The FA Cup, the league, and the Champions League—we take it one game at a time, but the ambition remains the same."
The room buzzed with murmurs of approval as Pellegrini gave a polite nod and stepped away from the podium, satisfied with both the performance and the message sent to City's rivals.
The fans outside were still singing, their chants echoing down the streets of Manchester. "Blue Moon Galacticos," they called them. The confidence was back, and with it, the belief that this season could still be something special.
One City fan were seen telling a reporter, "Mark my words, this year belongs to Manchester City. After suffering for years of heartbreaks, we deserve every bit of glory. With Adriano here, this era belongs to the Blue Moon Galacticos!"
And very few people would argue against it.
***
Current Stats of Adriano
Premier League
Matches: 15
Goals: 19
Assists: 12
Current top scorer of Premier League, and top on Assists list.
Champions League
Matches: 6
Goals: 15
Assists: 5
Current top scorer, 2nd in Assists
FA Cup
Matches: 1
Goals: 2
Assists: 2