(Third person pov)
"Get back here you flash bastard" yelled Carraghar as Matt moved towards the goal.
He didn't look back, knowing Refree was just behind.
As he was going to shoot for Yakubu, Carraghar slamed into him making him fall on the ground.
"Ohhh!" Exclaimed people.
He was wearing white socks, they started getting red slowly.
Carraghar stood up and grabbed Matt's collar again, this time he had a smirk.
"Know your place kiddo" he said, before Matt could say anything else, Phil and Yakubu pushed Carraghar away.
Liverpool players fought back, there was pushing, but Matt remained on the ground.
He sat there looking at the bleeding leg. It felt numb, he slowly stood up and felt the pain was not that much.
The medics slowly took his onto the edge of the field as the game couldn't be stopped.
"Woah, a dangerous challenge by Jamie Carraghar on Everton's number 10" said Mike with a mic in hand.
"Hardly a challange Mike, that looked deliberate, the ball wasn't even at Delevigne's feet" said Munns with a heavy voice a frown marred his face.
"And it's a Red, Jamie Carraghar walks out of the field, it's been 20 minutes of gameplay, and we've seen so much drama" said Alan Stubbs.
"I'm gutted, how can he do that, to his own country's player. A 16 years old. That's disgusting play from Carraghar" said Mike.
"There's blood on his shin but the boy is standing, he's getting banded up" said Munns.
Matt stood up shaking his leg, Timothy worked and checked it's condition If he could play the game or not.
"He's going to play, it seems David Moyes's been confirmed by physios, Delevigne on the field back again, amidst the cheer of the crowd." Said Alan.
"He's getting standing ovation by more than 30 thousand fans, I've never seen that happen, to a footballer that young" said Munns.
"Nobody has, and the game's back on, Liverpool with 10 men, play against injured Delevigne" said Mike, he didn't enjoyed that tackle whatsoever.
"One of the most reckless tackle by Carraghar, the manager would surely have a talk about the incident" said Alan.
"Red is not enough Mike, he should be fined for that" said Munns.
(Pov end)
(Phil Neville, Captain of Everton POV)
I spent my life playing, 11 years at United, Under Fergie, seeing Ryan, my brother, David, paul play football made me want to move.
To create something of my own, a legacy at another club, away from Gary.
Gary was not a player for Sir Alex, he was the player. If the gaffer had told him to punch me, he'd do it.
I on the other hand was a shadow, lurking outside the radar of that United's brilliance so I joined Everton in 2005.
And here I was standing looking at the big screen.
Liverpool 0-3 Everton.
The boy stood there spreading his arms towards the sea of fans, from here I could only see the back of his shirt and blood coming off of his bandaged leg.
Teammates swarming him up, I couldn't remember if I ever felt like this at United? Maybe the treble season?
Every eye on the stadium, focused on that one kid, it made me feel, ecstatic and jelous at the same time.
It's a guarantee, tomorrow a news break out about me leaving Everton, nobody would complain.. maybe few a hundred or two.
But if, Matt's sold.. they'd burn the stadium with the management, that's how it looks.
First goal from the half line.
Second one outside the box.
Third one, a freakish freekick.
He scored a hattrick in the first half against Liverpool, the rival club.
"Hey, captain. You alright?" Asked Mikel, he had a smile on his face as we walked back towards the dressing room, Matt stood next to Lescott who had a arm anchored around the boy's neck.
"More than alright brother" I said and began walking with him.
"Hey Mikel" I said making him look at me.
I looked at him in the eyes, "we let him bleed once, don't let that happen again. Kill anybody who comes close to him" I said pointing at Matt.
He nodded, "Carraghar, I'll take care of him" I said, even if team had to play with 10 men at Liverpool.
Keeno, would have done the same.
(Pov end)
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(Third person pov)
"A photo Matt! A photo!"
"Please sign this"
"Matt!"
Fans yelled his name as he walked towards the dressing room, he was limping a little, the leg had started to give out.
The pain felt real now, each step stung a little, he made sure to not show that on his face.
"Well played Matt" said coach David Moyes, patting his back and giving him a little support, they both walked together.
"A great first half, you've done enough, now rest" he said looking at the boy's face, he studied his expression.
He didn't wanted a fallout with him like Ferguson had with Beckham.
Matt sighed, he was a little disappointed but couldn't have the injury spoil his season, his leg can't play the entire match, so he nodded.
As they walked, everyone working at the stadium looked at him with a second glance, people hesitated, groundsmen threw second glances.
Moyes had relief in his eyes, "Good, I need you at your best in the next game" he said ruffling Matt's head affectionately.
"Take off your kit, and let Sofia and Timothy work on the leg" said coach making Matt stay at the dressing room, sending physiotherapists to look after him.
"Thanks coach" said Matt gratefully.
"You're welcome, let's go, you're teammates could use some motivation" he said as they both walked in.
"Can I have something to drink please" asked Matt to the club's assistant workers.
He handed Matt a 250ml bottle of electrolytes, which made him relax.
"Thankyou" he said resting his head on the wall behind him.
It has been 5 minutes since he had sat down, and now he could feel his leg, the pain of the tear and studds logged into his leg.
"Jamie Carraghar, I can't wait to play at Enfield" said Matt to himself as he wiped his face with a towel.
It took David 5 more minutes to walk out of the dressing room, few players glanced at Matt but didn't said anything, they had a match to win after all.
"Let's get you substituted" said David, Matt stood up with a grown and made his way to the ground.
He could feel people's gaze, the Liverpool team looked at him with complex emotions.
Some were angry, there was pity, acknowledgement, etc.
He ignored them, initially he had planned to swap jersey with Torres, or maybe Gerrard. Now he just wanted to go home.
'Shit! Mom would be worried, I got to call her as soon as possible' thought Matt rubbing his face with his hand.
"Delevigne, Delevigne!", as he walked out, people were still chanting his name.
Matt stood at the sideline, his number appear on the substitution board.
(10)Out, (57)IN.
He clapped Baxter who ruffled Matt's hair and ran into the field.
"Matthew Delevigne is out, Jose Baxter In" annoucer said.
People seeing his substitution, gave a disappointed goan, stood up and started clapping, cheering for him.
His face on the big screen as he clapped back for them with a smile, he made his way towards David who gave him a quick hug and made him sit on the bench.
"Take it easy now, boys will handle the game, now it will hurt, bare with me for a moment" said Sofia, she was a ground nurse, a very pretty one at that.
Matt had heard few boys had tried asking her out, she denied everyone of them.
Her blonde hair which fell on to her face made her appear more beautiful.
"Ouff" moaned Matt, she had just removed his sock.
She carefully undressed the wound, Matt couldn't admire her beauty anymore, the pain was too much to think about anything.
"You played 20 minutes with that! I should've kicked you off right then! Timothy, what were you thinking " she exclaimed to the man standing, looking over at the treatment.
"It didn't look that bad on the ground" said the man with a frown.
"I can play the next game?" Asked Matt hesitantly.
"Oh no no no, next game? You're out for atleast 2 weeks, and if it gets infected, possibly a month" she said making Matt now looking at her with wide eyes.
"Seriously?" He asked to Timothy, who sighed and nodded.
"Fuck!" Muttered Matt, he clenched his fist. He wasn't angry when Carraghar kicked him, he deserved it and he knows that. But missing games? That's different.
"Timothy, Can you get my phone please. I need to call my mom" he asked the physio.
"Sure, where is it?" Asked Timothy.
"It's in my ki bag, you'll find it inside the accesories section" said Matt.
"Got it" said Timothy walking inside.
"Thanks" yelled Matt.
Sofia cleaned the wound, he would wince every time she touched it.
"Thankyou" said Matt, taking the phone from Timothy.
"Don't worry about it" he said sitting beside Matt looking at sofia with a intense gaze that made Matt a little uncomfortable but he didn't said anything.
"You shouldn't have celebrated like that Matt" said Timothy after some time.
Matt tilted his head, "why?" He asked genuinely confused.
"Look at the end result" he said pointing at Matt's leg.
"You wouldn't understand, do you know what I felt when I was there" he asked Timothy.
"I don't know, I'm sure cockiness was one of them" said Timothy with a smirk.
"If you got one as big as me-" began Matt.
"Matt!" Exclaimed Sofia, making him stop.
"I'm sorry Sof, just explaining few things to the old man here" he said making her glare lessen.
"Old man? And Sof? Since when you are on nickname basis" asked Timothy, jelousy oozing out of him.
"Since now" I said to which Sofia didn't said anything,
'It seems Timothy, who had a kid and a loving wife, had been harrassing his coworker. It's just a theory.' thought Matt
"Hey, Sofia. Are you free this evening?" Asked Matt, he could see Timothy's attention was on their conversation, he pretended to look at the match but leaned towards Matt.
"Yes, why?" She said confused.
"My mom's a doctor, and right now she's driving to my apartment. Thought you could explain my leg's condition to her, at my place " said Matt.
Sofia looking thoughtful and nodded slowly, she had heard of Eva Delevigne, it doesn't hurt to know a surgeon.
"Thanks Sof" said Matt with a smile.
"I could explain better, I'm a physio." Said Timothy barging into the conversation.
"No thankyou, I can't make you do that. You've got kids and wife to look after" said Matt with a polite smile, which made Timothy hesitate.
"My kids, yes my kids are your huge fan, I could bring them to see you, and explain to Miss Delevigne" he said hurriedly.
"I'm not in the mood today, I'll see them when I play next. Bring them here" said Matt shutting him down completely.
Sofia remained silent, throughout the entire discussion, she stood up and threw a glance at Matt and walked away with her medkit.
'He's sharp. Nobody noticed anything till now. But could he really help me' she thought walking.
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