Chapter 20: FA cup press conference
The press room was packed, the energy almost as electrifying as it had been on the pitch. Derby County's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace had turned the football world on its head, and everyone wanted to hear from the night's key figures.
At the table sat Wayne Rooney, Curtis Davies, and David Jones for Derby County. To their left were Crystal Palace representatives: manager Roy Hodgson, Luka Milivojević, and defender Gary Cahill.
The questions began predictably, with reporters throwing softballs to both managers. Rooney spoke confidently about Derby's game plan, emphasizing the team's discipline and David's extraordinary contribution. Hodgson, while professional, couldn't entirely hide his frustration at the result.
Then the attention shifted to the players.
"David," one reporter asked, leaning forward eagerly, "first of all, happy birthday. How does it feel to score the winning goal on a night like this, especially against a Premier League side?"
David leaned into the microphone, his voice steady but filled with pride. "Thank you. It feels amazing. To play against a team as good as Crystal Palace and to contribute to the win on my birthday is something I'll never forget. But it wasn't just me—it was a team effort."
The room buzzed with approval at his humble response. Hodgson nodded slightly, though Luka's expression remained stony.
Another reporter addressed Luka directly. "Luka, your sending-off was a pivotal moment in the game. What's your perspective on it? Do you think David's actions influenced the referee's decision?"
Luka's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone measured, though the anger simmered beneath the surface. "Look, it's football. Emotions run high. But I think there's a line, and some players"—he glanced at David—"need to learn where that line is."
The room went quiet, all eyes turning to David, who showed no sign of being rattled.
"David," another reporter pressed, "what's your response to that?"
David met Luka's gaze briefly before addressing the room. "What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. The referee made his decision, and we played on. My job is to focus on my game and help my team. That's what I did."