Since it was an away match, Ethan and his team kept the celebrations modest after the final whistle. The players shared a brief but spirited celebration in the dressing room, then packed their gear, boarded the team bus, and returned to the hotel for a well-earned rest. The following morning, they made the journey back to Luton.
As the team's coach rolled into the city, the atmosphere erupted. Fans lined the streets, swarming the slow-moving bus in scenes reminiscent of a title parade. For Luton supporters, reaching the FA Cup semi-finals felt as monumental as winning silverware. After all, Luton Town are a League Two side—a fourth-tier team—and achieving this kind of cup run is nothing short of extraordinary. Even if they are eliminated in the semi-finals, this season will be talked about for decades whenever fans recall this chapter in the club's history.
Luton's historic breakthrough sent the entire town into celebration. Pubs were packed, and local tavern owners likely enjoyed one of their most profitable nights in years.
The following day, every major sports media outlet led with the story. Despite three of the quarter-final matches featuring Premier League heavyweights like Arsenal and Liverpool, it was the Coventry vs. Luton clash that stole the headlines. The matchup—between a Championship side and a League Two underdog—became the talk of the football world.
"Luton Into FA Cup Final Four!" read the bold headline across multiple outlets.
Just seeing Luton's name linked with the semi-finals of the FA Cup was enough to shock the average fan.
"The Luton side led by Chinese coach Ethan continues to defy the odds—if this isn't a miracle, what is? Currently sitting second in League Two despite being docked 30 points earlier in the season, they are on the verge of securing promotion. And now, they've stormed their way into the FA Cup semi-finals—not through lucky draws, but by eliminating Chelsea and Manchester City along the way. This team is a genuine giant-killer. Now, they'll head to Wembley, with a chance to play for a spot in the final!" — Sky Sports reported.
The article featured a photo of Ethan leaping in celebration after the winning goal—a rare choice by the press, which typically highlights star players. The fact that nearly every outlet chose to feature Ethan underscores how instrumental he's been to Luton's improbable campaign.
The match itself was a tactical chess game. The first half was cagey, with both teams sitting deep and playing on the counter. Eventually, spurred on by their home crowd, Coventry pushed forward—perhaps a move they would come to regret. Their attempt to press high left gaps in midfield, which Luton ruthlessly exploited. A lightning-fast counterattack saw them take the lead.
Coventry equalized in the second half from a corner, and just when the game seemed destined for extra time, Luton won a corner of their own in stoppage time. Centre-back Jeffrey rose above everyone to nod home the winner—a last-minute stunner!
With three of the four quarter-final ties already decided, the other teams to advance included Everton and Arsenal. Liverpool were set to face Fulham at Anfield later that evening, with the winner joining the semi-final lineup. Regardless of the result, Luton would be the only non-Premier League club left in the draw. No matter who they face next, it won't be an easy task.
The semi-finals are still a month away, so Ethan turned his attention back to the league. That night, he would keep an eye on the final quarter-final and the draw, but his main focus had already shifted.
Upon returning to Luton, Ethan granted the squad a well-deserved day off—and gave himself one as well. With the League Two season spanning 46 matches, and now a deep cup run to balance, the schedule had become more intense than for many top-flight teams. The physical and mental toll was beginning to show.
He understood that pushing too hard would backfire. Sometimes, pulling back is the only way to move forward.
Ethan stayed home during his day off. After catching up on sleep, he woke up in the afternoon, read the papers, and considered heading out later to catch the Liverpool-Fulham match and the FA Cup draw at a local pub.
When Ethan pulled open the curtains and looked at the steady patter of rain outside the window, he sighed. Well, so much for going out today. His plans were clearly washed away by the weather.
Resigned, he brewed himself a pot of tea and settled into the couch before switching on the TV.
Just as the boredom was beginning to set in, the BBC Sports broadcast finally went live.
Today's match was being held at Anfield — Liverpool's iconic home ground — and both teams had fielded their strongest lineups.
Liverpool had once again fallen out of the Premier League title race this season. Desperate to avoid finishing the year empty-handed, they were putting everything into the FA Cup, hoping to give their fans something to cheer about.
Fulham, on the other hand, were sitting comfortably mid-table — too far from relegation danger, but also with no real shot at qualifying for Europe. With little at stake in the league, the FA Cup became their last real opportunity to make a mark this season.
On paper, Liverpool were the clear favorites. But knockout football has its own logic — in a one-off match, especially with both sides fully committed, anything could happen. Beating Fulham would be no walk in the park.
The match was tense and closely contested. It wasn't until the 73rd minute that Steven Gerrard finally broke the deadlock with a stunning long-range strike, putting Liverpool ahead 1–0.
That lone goal was enough. Liverpool held firm until the final whistle, securing their place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Right after the match, the draw for the semi-finals was held live.
First out of the bowl was Everton. Then came Liverpool.
A ripple of excitement swept through the broadcast team. It was official — the semi-finals would feature a Merseyside Derby.
The remaining tie? Luton Town versus Arsenal.
Ethan switched off the TV, his expression serious. He walked onto the balcony and stared at the two- or three-story apartment buildings across the street, their red-tiled roofs and white walls dimly lit under the rainy night sky.
"Arsenal, huh…" he muttered, his brow furrowed. "Wenger's team is no joke."
He gripped the cold metal railing, deep in thought as raindrops glistened under the light.
A new challenge...
There's nothing more fun than going up against the best. A faint smile crept onto Ethan's face as he felt the fire ignite within him once more.