"Jamie Vardy!!! What a stunning goal!!!" Letkinson leapt from his seat in disbelief.
When Kanté dispossessed Robinho again, Letkinson never expected the move to end in such a spectacular finish. The style of the goal was completely at odds with Vardy's usual image. Had Vardy simply blasted a shot from the edge of the box, it wouldn't have surprised him nearly as much. But this… this was something else.
The stadium erupted. Fans in orange jerseys leapt to their feet, a wave of cheers rising like a forest of joy and disbelief.
Vardy had seen the ball hit the net as he was still running. Moments earlier, he'd turned sharply, ball at his feet, only to see the opposing goalkeeper rushing out to close the angle.
Originally, Vardy had considered smashing the ball—a typical burst shot. But seeing the keeper sprinting toward him, he made a split-second decision.
Why not go for the chip?
So, with a delicate touch of his toe, Vardy scooped the ball over the onrushing keeper's head—and he knew instantly. It was going in.
"Incredible goal!!! One-nil!!!" shouted He Hongfa, broadcasting from afar in China. "Nobody could've predicted Luton would strike first! If they can eliminate Manchester City, they'll reach the FA Cup quarter-finals! What an incredible boost for this small second-division side! They're turning into the FA Cup's biggest dark horses in years!"
Back in the studio, Redknapp had shed his skepticism.
"Manchester City never expected to concede this early, especially not against a Luton side that lined up with five defensive midfielders. But look what happened—just a few counterattacks, and Jamie Vardy seized his moment! What a beauty. That goal could easily be a contender for Goal of the Round in the FA Cup: a pinpoint long ball, a brilliant run, explosive pace, and a feather-light finish!"
Letkinson chuckled, half-joking: "Maybe City should forget about signing Kaká… and go for Jamie Vardy instead."
Redknapp actually nodded thoughtfully. "Honestly, for Manchester City, Vardy might be a better fit right now. He's a natural finisher, he has a predator's instincts, incredible work rate, and he tears through defenses with relentless pressure!"
Letkinson laughed—he hadn't meant it seriously. "Still, with this goal, Luton's confidence is through the roof. Their morale is surging, and City look rattled."
And he wasn't wrong. City were shaken. They hadn't anticipated conceding so soon. And the quality of the goal? Unquestionable. It was a tactical masterpiece—Vardy's movement, Drinkwater's inch-perfect pass, and Vardy's ice-cold composure in front of goal all played a part.
This wasn't a weak side waiting to be crushed. Not today.
The goal shifted the balance, tilting the momentum ever so slightly toward Luton.
That one moment sparked something in the Luton squad. They began pressing harder, running more, seemingly tireless. Their passion was ignited.
Ethan, Luton's manager, knew the odds on paper—Manchester City's lineup was world-class. But football isn't just about numbers and reputation.
If Luton had chosen to go toe-to-toe in open play with City, they'd be destroyed. Bellamy and Robinho, both lethal with pace and skill, would've torn Luton apart.
So Ethan turned to the underdog's classic strategy: tight defense and deadly counterattacks.
Five defensive midfielders held the shape, anchored by an elite interceptor—N'Golo Kanté. His work rate, positioning, and ball-winning ability were outstanding, already elevating him to elite status by match stats.
This gave Ethan the confidence to shut down City's attack. Kanté kept Robinho quiet, and Bellamy, too, was neutralized. The two most dangerous men in sky blue couldn't find their rhythm.
And up front, Ethan placed his trust in Vardy—his one-man spearhead. The future Premier League Golden Boot winner had stamina for days. He never stopped running, constantly putting pressure on City's back line with his explosive sprints.
In midfield, Manchester City found themselves struggling early against Luton's intense pressing and tireless running. Despite their efforts to control possession, City quickly fell into a disadvantage. Attempting to bypass Luton's midfield, City tried several long balls over the top, but each one was confidently cleared by Luton's two centre-backs. Robinho, never known for his aerial ability, posed little threat in that regard.
Watching the game unfold, City manager Mark Hughes was already contemplating tactical adjustments. But with only 20 minutes gone in the first half, it was still too early to make a substitution. Instead, Hughes chose to wait, hoping that Robinho's flair could eventually unlock Luton's defense.
But what came next wasn't what he had hoped for—it was a goal, not for Manchester City, but for Luton.
In the 38th minute, Luton, who had been sitting deep for most of the half, suddenly pressed high up the pitch. Manchester City's players were caught off guard. In possession on the flank, Pablo Zabaleta was dispossessed by Danny Drinkwater, who pounced on the loose ball and surged forward. Without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful shot from distance.
City goalkeeper Shay Given managed to get a hand to it—but he couldn't hold it.
Amid the deafening roar of the home fans at Kenilworth Road, Jamie Vardy charged into the box like a predator. Reacting faster than anyone else, he slotted home the rebound.
"GOOOOOOAL!!! Two-nil to Luton Town!!! Unbelievable scenes here!" the commentator screamed. "Manchester City are stunned—Vardy again! That's a brace for him! What a story this is!"
On the touchline, Luton manager Ethan leapt into the air, arms raised in triumph. The 10,000-strong crowd erupted in a wall of noise, chanting "GOAL!" with unbridled passion.
"That's Luton's second goal!" exclaimed commentator Letkinson. "They're on fire, and Manchester City didn't see this coming at all. A League Two side might just knock out a Premier League giant! Could we be witnessing another classic FA Cup giant-killing?!"
Fans across the country were on their feet in front of their screens, applauding Luton's heart and determination—except, of course, the Manchester City supporters.
On the sideline, Ethan embraced his assistant John and analyst Lin Sen. His voice rang out with conviction.
"Look at them—they're eleven individuals. But we? We're a unit!" Ethan shouted, holding out his hand. "They're five separate fingers—we're a fist!"
He clenched his fist tightly: "We're stronger than them!"
It was more than just a rallying cry. Ethan genuinely believed in the power of the collective. Mark Hughes, by contrast, appeared to rely too heavily on the individual brilliance of his stars, neglecting the importance of tactical cohesion.
Even a peak Robinho would struggle when forced to take on a compact, well-organized back line all by himself. Manchester City's struggles that season reflected this imbalance—talent without teamwork.
Hughes had put too much faith in star power.
Not that Ethan discouraged creativity—far from it. He gave his attacking players the freedom to roam, improvise, and express themselves. Sometimes, one moment of inspiration could break open the game.
Just like Vardy's goal.
But such brilliance needed the right structure and support. And that's where Luton had the edge.
Mark Hughes didn't seem to understand that. Or maybe, overwhelmed by the pressure of managing big-money signings, he had lost sight of it.
But Ethan wasn't concerned with transfer fees or headlines. He clenched his fist again and shouted:
"We're so much better than those Manchester lads!"