When the second half began, Swansea showed some improvement in their performance.
Both sides started to pull at each other in the midfield again, refusing to give an inch.
However, this was actually due to two reasons.
Firstly, after the halftime break, Swansea players' fatigue was relieved to some extent, and they could temporarily keep up with Sunderland players' running.
The second reason was that Coach Zhao had his players pull back a bit, not to engage in overly aggressive pressing in the front field.
With the pace actively slowed down, Swansea naturally managed to keep up.
It was clear that Coach Zhao also knew that with his players' ability, it was impossible to maintain a full-game, crazy-dog-like pressing.
So, when the opponent still had the stamina, he would ease off a bit, just enough to contend with them.
And when the time was right, he could unleash the withdrawn fist again, which would cause more damage!
When would the time be right?
Swansea was two goals down at this point; they had to attack and score to equalize.
This urgent mood would also lead to greater physical exhaustion for them.
So, it wouldn't be long before the opportunity arrived.
And before that… Coach Zhao seemed to have nothing more to do.
Therefore, when the live broadcast camera focused on the coaching bench, Coach Zhao was seen sitting leisurely with his legs crossed.
He barely even watched the game on the field, instead occasionally turning back to chat with the substitute players, looking completely relaxed.
In contrast, Clement stood in the technical area from the start, constantly gesturing and directing.
James Jun said:
"It feels like Coach Zhao is completely relaxed now."
"Is he completely disregarding the opponent?"
"Haha, considering Coach Zhao's personality, he must have taken Clement's pre-match remarks to heart."
"So, this posture might just be for the opposing Coach to see."
"Are you anxious? But I'm not. It'll infuriate you!"
"This story also tells us, never provoke Coach Zhao. Coach Zhao is narrow-minded! Haha, just kidding."
Zhang Lu also said:
"I'm increasingly realizing that Coach Zhao's control over the game is truly strong."
"Don't look at the current evenly matched situation, and Coach Zhao seemingly unconcerned about the game's progress; these are all illusions."
"Think about the final stage of the first half! I believe Coach Zhao was just waiting, waiting for the moment Swansea showed signs of fatigue."
"When that happens, Sunderland's long-accumulated power will erupt once again!"
At this moment, James Jun exclaimed, "Look quickly, Coach Zhao is standing up…"
The game had reached 65 minutes, which was the moment Coach Zhao had been waiting for.
After over an hour of intense battle, Swansea players were clearly starting to struggle to keep up with the pace again.
And Coach Zhao immediately made substitutions!
He first replaced both defensive midfielders, Larsson and Cattermole, who had done the most running, bringing on Rodwell and McNair to continue battling in midfield.
And up front, he replaced veteran Defoe, who had already scored twice, with the big striker Anichebe.
This was to use a lineup with stronger impact to completely crush Swansea's final psychological defense!
At the same time, these three substituted players also brought the latest instructions from the Coach.
That was for the entire team to advance at full speed, continuing to execute the highest intensity front-field pressing tactic!
Indeed, shortly after the substitutions, the score on the field was changed again.
In the 70th minute, Swansea's Korean midfielder, Ki Sung-yueng, had the ball, but before he could fully control it, he was caught in a pincer movement.
Rodwell and McNair used their bodies to lean on Ki Sung-yueng from both sides, causing the Korean tough guy to instantly lose his balance, and the ball was stolen.
After winning the ball, Rodwell immediately sent a long pass, quickly looking for the front, and Anichebe won the first header.
After heading the ball back to Januzaj, Anichebe himself turned and quickly ran forward.
Januzaj quickly passed the ball to Khazri beside him, who, without stopping the ball, immediately sent a through ball.
Anichebe successfully beat the offside trap, and after controlling the ball, he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper!
At this point, Borini on the left and McNair behind also simultaneously pushed forward, forming a three-on-one situation!
Anichebe faced Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who had rushed out, but he was not greedy for glory; instead, he gently twisted his ankle, pushing the ball to McNair, who was in a better position on the other side.
McNair easily slotted it in, 3:0!
The entire Stadium of Light went completely crazy!
All Sunderland fans were singing and dancing, celebrating the victory in advance.
And McNair was also very excited.
After scoring, he first hugged Anichebe, who had unselfishly provided the assist, and then ran directly to the coaching bench to high-five and hug Coach Zhao.
This was also to express gratitude to Coach Zhao!
Because this was McNair's first goal for Sunderland in the Premier League!
This Northern Ireland international participated in the 2016 European Cup and was once a Manchester United player, appearing 8 times for Manchester United last season, but ultimately failed to establish himself and was sold to Sunderland this season.
But fate played another trick on him; in November of last year, McNair suffered a torn ligament in a match against Hull City, resting for several months.
Now, after returning to the field, he could still gain Coach Zhao's trust and score in the game, so he was naturally very excited!
"You played very well, please keep up the good work," Coach Zhao said to him with a smile.
McNair is only 22 years old this year, one of the younger players in the Sunderland squad.
Although his various technical abilities are actually quite average, he excels in his good attitude, active running on the field, and fierce tackling;
In addition, he can play many positions and is a versatile player, so he is very qualified to serve as a rotation player in the team.
As the equally versatile Swedish veteran Larsson ages, McNair has the ability to secure a place in the future Sunderland squad!
And as McNair waved to the stands, Sunderland fans in the Stadium of Light all stood up, giving a long and enthusiastic round of applause to this young player who returned to the team after a major injury!
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After McNair's goal, the remaining game felt a bit like "garbage time."
Sunderland led by three goals, and Swansea's entire team, both in terms of morale and stamina, was completely outmatched by their opponent; even their Coach Clement was squatting on the ground in a daze, seemingly having given up resistance…
Thus, the next goal arrived naturally.
In the 85th minute, Januzaj put on a solo performance.
He started dribbling in midfield, continuously dribbling past Ki Sung-yueng, Naughton, and Mawson, then went straight for the goal, calmly slotting it into the far corner when facing Lukasz Fabianski.
4:0!
From this goal, it was also evident that the Swansea players were truly completely exhausted…
When the final whistle blew, the Stadium of Light erupted in thunderous applause, everyone celebrating this beautiful victory.
Sunderland defeated Swansea 4:0 at home, winning this crucial relegation battle!