His deflected effort extended City’s Elite Development Squad’s winning run to 10 in the Premier League 2 and in turn moved us three points clear at the table summit.
It was not only his first goal of the season but his first in the Premier League 2 and, to his own admission, Naylor surprised himself with his composed finish in the dying embers of what was an intense match.
“Not on the right foot, but it was all a bit of a blur to be honest,” said Naylor when asked if he always knew his strike was going to hit the back of the Brighton net.
MATCH REPORT | CITY 2-1 BRIGHTON
“I was so tired at the end, [it was my] first 90 minutes in a while, but when I cut in on my right football, I knew I just had to let one go.
“And fortunately, it went in. It was great.
“It was good to get back on the grass and help the lads win. I felt tired but it was good making lots of forward runs and trying to help the team get the win and fortunately, I did.”
It was Ben Wilkinson’s toughest test yet with Brighton enjoying more of the ball and a wave of attacks that City had to defend as a team in order to deny our opponents.
The dismissals of Jaden Heskey and Jacob Wright in added time also made it more difficult for the young boys in blue but they managed to hold out for the vital three points to begin 2025 strong.
“We’ve got to give credit to them [Brighton],” said Naylor.
“They were a very good side and kept the ball well. But we dug in, stood together as a team and fortunately the goal game.”
Watch Naylor’s full post-match interview in full via the video above…
