What happened...
Manchester City are through to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after goals from Brahim Diaz, Phil Foden and a Lukas Nmecha brace swept away an in-form Reading side on Thursday night.
Reading, who are second in the southern half of the U18 Premier League, were expected to provide stern opposition for Lee Carsley’s side but the two first half strikes put City in the ascendancy at the Madejski Stadium before Nmecha’s second half double sealed safe passage.
City will now face the winners of Saturday’s tie between Liverpool and Crystal Palace in the last 32 of the prestigious competition.
After an even contest in the first half hour, City’s creative midfielders were clinical as the match approached half-time.
First, Diaz reacted quickest to a parried save from Liam Driscoll in the Reading goal and tapped home despite the protestations from Reading defenders on the line.
Just three minutes later City burst forward again. This time Luke Bolton cut back for Foden and the England youth international guided the ball into the far corner with the instep of his left foot.
View highlights of the recent Premier League draw with Manchester United below:
Any hopes Reading had of putting immediate pressure on City after the break were dashed in the 47th minute by a low drilled effort from Nmecha that nestled in the bottom corner.
Nmecha and Bolton combined effectively, as they had throughout the night, for City’s fourth. Bolton put a low cross between defence and goalkeeper and Nmecha was on hand to tuck home and make it a comfortable end to the match.
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What it means...
Lee Carsley‘s side are through to the fourth round and last 32 of the FA Youth Cup where they will face the winner of Saturday’s tie between Liverpool and Crystal Palace.
Confused about the format of the FA Youth Cup? Here’s a handy guide to explain all of the competitions our youngsters will be involved in this season.
City welcome Stoke City to the City Football Academy on Wednesday 21 December in the U18 Premier League.
Key moment...
City had been denied several times in opening half hour by Reading goalkeeper Liam Driscoll, namely through saves from Nmecha and Demeaco Duhaney efforts.
However, when the Reading goalkeeper failed to push a drilled cross far enough away from his goal, Brahim Diaz scored and City were on their way.
Man of the match...
Luke Bolton – Although his drilled crosses for Nmecha didn’t open City’s account for the night, City’s right winger was not deterred.
He played a key role in Foden’s goal, pulling back for the 16-year-old in a situation when many may have shot before laying on Nmecha’s second.
How they lined up...
Pawel Sokol continued with his place in goal.
Ed Francis and captain Joel Latibeaudiere were the central defensive partnership with Demeaco Duhaney at right-back and Jeremie Frimpong on the left.
In midfield, Matt Smith sat behind Brahim Diaz and Phil Foden in central midfield while Luke Bolton and Jadon Sancho flanked central striker Lukas Nmecha.
