The cameras were flashing so fast it looked like a disco. But this was not a nightclub. This was Goodison Park. The home of Everton.

Michael Sterling stood in the tunnel. He could feel the eyes of the world burning into his back.

Today was the day. The debut of the Super Team.

Arthur Milton stood next to him. Arthur was shaking. He was holding a bag of mints.

"Boss," Arthur whispered. "I am nervous. The whole world is watching. If we lose today the internet will eat us alive."

"We will not lose Arthur," Michael said calmly. "We have a Ferrari engine now. We just need to drive it."

Michael looked at his team lined up in the tunnel.

It was a sight that made his heart pump faster.

At the front was Sergio Ramos. The captain. He looked like a general going to war.

Behind him was Diego Nunez. The giant defender was staring at the Everton players. He was drooling slightly. He looked hungry.

And then there were the new faces.

Victor Osimhen was adjusting his black mask. He looked cool. He looked like he was about to go for a walk in the park not play a Premier League match.

Endrick stood next to him. The Brazilian wonderkid looked small next to the Everton defenders. Tarkowski the Everton center back was looking down at Endrick like he was a snack.

"Do not look at him like that," Diego Nunez growled at Tarkowski. "He is protected. If you touch him I will sit on you."

Tarkowski looked away. Nobody wanted Diego Nunez to sit on them.

THE KICKOFF

The referee blew the whistle.

The noise at Goodison Park was loud. The Everton fans were famous for being hostile. They booed every time a Barnsley player touched the ball.

"MONEY BAGS!" they shouted. "FAKE CLUB!"

Michael ignored them. He watched the pitch.

He had set up the team in the new 4 3 3 formation. It was aggressive.

Minute 5

Welcome to the Premier League.

Endrick received the ball on the right wing. He tried to do a stepover.

Mykolenko the Everton defender did not care about skills. He slid in hard.

Endrick went flying. He landed in the mud.

The crowd cheered.

"Welcome to England!" a fan screamed from the front row.

Michael took a step forward. He was worried. Endrick was young. Would he hide? Would he be scared?

Endrick stood up. He looked at his muddy socks. He looked at Mykolenko.

Then he smiled.

He gave a thumbs up to the defender.

"Okay," Endrick said. "Now we play."

THE MASKED ASSASSIN STRIKES

Minute 15

Barnsley began to find their rhythm.

Leo Stone was playing in midfield. The Phantom was finding pockets of space.

He passed to Endrick.

This time Endrick did not wait. He dropped his shoulder. He exploded past Mykolenko.

"He is fast!" Arthur shouted. "He is like a bullet!"

Endrick looked up. He saw Victor Osimhen pointing to the space behind the defense.

Endrick curled a cross. It was a beautiful ball. It curved around the defender.

Osimhen leaped.

He was wearing the black mask. He looked like a superhero taking flight.

He met the ball with his forehead.

The ball flew past Pickford the Everton goalkeeper. It hit the back of the net with immense power.

GOAL.

Barnsley 1. Everton 0.

Osimhen ran to the corner. He pulled off his mask and kissed it. Then he did a backflip.

Endrick ran over and jumped on his back. Diego Nunez joined the pile.

"THE MASK!" Diego roared. "I WANT A MASK TOO!"

"I will buy you one Diego!" Osimhen laughed.

Michael Sterling punched the air.

"It works," Michael whispered. "The connection works."

THE EVERTON FIGHTBACK

But the Premier League is never easy. Even with superstars.

Everton were fighting for survival. They were desperate.

Minute 30

Everton won a corner. They were dangerous from set pieces. They were big and strong.

The ball came in.

Tarkowski jumped.

Sergio Ramos jumped with him.

It was a clash of titans.

The ball dropped loose in the box.

Calvert Lewin the Everton striker reacted first. He poked the ball towards the goal.

Jan Visser was unsighted. He could not see the ball through the forest of legs.

But then a purple wall appeared.

Diego Nunez threw his body in the way. He blocked the shot with his stomach.

THUD.

"Oof," Diego grunted. "That tickles."

He cleared the ball.

"Wake up!" Ramos shouted at his team. "We are sleeping! They are big! We must be bigger!"

THE MAGIC OF THE KID

Minute 45

Just before halftime the magic happened.

The moment that would be on every highlight reel in the world.

Endrick got the ball near the halfway line.

He was surrounded by three blue shirts. There was no space.

Usually a player would pass back.

Endrick did not pass back.

He rolled the ball under his foot. He did a roulette spin. He went past Onana.

The crowd gasped.

He drove forward. He was running at the heart of the defense.

He saw Erik Olsen making a run on the left. The defenders moved to cover Erik.

This left a tiny gap.

Endrick was twenty five yards out.

"Shoot!" Michael shouted. "Trust yourself!"

Endrick unleashed a shot with his left foot.

It was a knuckleball. It moved left. It moved right. It defied physics.

Pickford dived but he was waving at ghosts.

The ball smashed into the top corner.

GOAL.

Barnsley 2. Everton 0.

The stadium went silent. Even the Everton fans were shocked.

Endrick stood still. He opened his arms wide. He looked at the crowd.

The King had arrived.

Leo Stone ran over and bowed down to him.

"You are not human!" Leo shouted. "You are an alien!"

"I am just Brazilian," Endrick winked.

HALFTIME

In the locker room the mood was electric.

Osimhen was dancing. Endrick was eating a banana. Diego Nunez was asking Osimhen if he could try on the mask.

"Please," Diego begged. "Just for one second. I want to look like Batman."

"After the game Diego," Osimhen laughed. "Focus now."

Michael walked to the center.

"Brilliant," Michael said. "Just brilliant. But the job is not done. 2 to 0 is a dangerous score. If they score one the crowd wakes up."

He looked at his new stars.

"Victor. Endrick. You have shown your quality. Now show your character. Everton will kick you in the second half. They will try to break you."

"Let them kick," Osimhen said. "I am made of iron."

"And I am made of samba," Endrick grinned. "You cannot kick samba."

THE SECOND HALF

Michael was right. Everton came out angry.

They stopped playing football. they started playing rugby.

Minute 60

Endrick was tackled hard again. He rolled on the grass holding his ankle.

The referee waved a yellow card.

Diego Nunez sprinted forty yards. He stood over the Everton player.

"You touch the baby again," Diego said his voice low and scary. "And I will tackle you. With my head."

The Everton player looked at the crazy bald giant and decided to walk away quickly.

Michael decided to protect his investment.

"Arthur," Michael said. "Get the board ready."

SUBSTITUTION

OFF: Endrick

ON: Jamie Vardy

The Everton fans booed Endrick as he walked off but the Barnsley fans stood up and applauded. They sang a new song.

"OH ENDRICK! THE BOY FROM BRAZIL! HE COST A LOT BUT HE IS WORTH THE BILL!"

Endrick clapped the fans. He hugged Michael on the touchline.

"Good job son," Michael said. "Rest now."

Now Jamie Vardy was on the pitch. The Rat.

"Fresh legs against tired minds," Michael smiled. "Go annoy them Jamie."

THE THIRD GOAL

Minute 75

Everton were tired. Chasing shadows is exhausting.

Barnsley were moving the ball beautifully. The 4 3 3 formation was creating triangles everywhere.

Kai Sora passed to Leo Stone.

Leo Stone passed to Osimhen.

Osimhen held the ball up. He was so strong. He waited.

He saw Jamie Vardy making a run.

Osimhen played a backheel pass.

"Cheeky!" Arthur shouted.

Jamie Vardy was through.

He looked at the goalkeeper. He looked at the fans.

He chipped the ball.

It floated over Pickford and landed softly in the net.

GOAL.

Barnsley 3. Everton 0.

Jamie Vardy ran to the corner flag and kicked it. It snapped in half.

"Why do we keep breaking flags?" Arthur asked putting his head in his hands. "The FA will send us a bill for flag destruction."

"Let them send the bill," Michael laughed. "We can afford it."

FULL TIME

The referee blew the whistle.

BARNSLEY 3 - 0 EVERTON

It was a masterclass. It was a statement.

Michael walked onto the pitch.

He watched his team.

Osimhen was hugging Diego. Endrick was taking a selfie with Leo Stone. Sergio Ramos was giving his shirt to a fan.

They looked like a family. A very expensive very talented family.

A reporter ran up to Michael.

"Michael! What a debut for your new signings! Is this the best Barnsley team ever?"

Michael looked at the camera.

"We are just getting started," Michael said. "The engine is warm. Now we are going to drive."

THE LOCKER ROOM CELEBRATION

Back inside the music was blaring.

Victor Osimhen had finally given Diego the mask.

Diego Nunez was wearing the black mask. It looked too small for his huge head. He looked ridiculous.

"I AM BATMAN!" Diego shouted jumping on the bench. "WHERE IS THE JOKER?"

"You are the Joker Diego," Jamie Vardy laughed throwing a towel at him.

Michael stood in the doorway with Arthur.

"Look at them Arthur," Michael said. "No egos. No fighting. Just boys playing ball."

"Expensive boys," Arthur noted checking the match stats. "But worth every penny. Osimhen had ten shots. Endrick had five dribbles. We destroyed them."

"We are third in the league Arthur," Michael said. "And City drew today. We are only three points off the top."

Arthur stopped chewing his gum.

"Three points?" Arthur whispered. "Boss. Do not say it. Do not say the T word."

"Title," Michael said. "I am saying it. We are going for the Title."

Arthur looked like he was going to faint.

"I need a lie down," Arthur said. "This is too much excitement for a man who loves pastries."

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