What happened…
City under-18s produced a spectacular late show to salvage a point in an eight-goal thriller against Everton.
Having surrendered a two-goal lead to trail 4-2, the Blues rallied in the final six minutes to maintain their unbeaten campaign in dramatic fashion.
An Ian Carlo Poveda strike and a Liam Morris own-goal had put the hosts in control, but a Joel Latibeaudiere own-goal two minutes before the break sparked an impressive comeback by the visitors.
A Fraser Hornby double and a Jack Kiersey goal breached the league’s best defence to give Everton the lead, before Henri Ogunby clawed City back into the game and Demeaco Duhaney levelled in the 88th minute of a pulsating encounter.
A rapid start heralded two chances inside the opening two minutes, with the second producing the opener.
Everton almost broke the deadlock as Shayne Lavery beat goalkeeper Pawel Sokol to a cross but headed just wide, and the visitors were punished within seconds.
Having collected a poor goalkick, City burst forward, releasing Ogunby down the left. Unselfishly, the winger crossed to the far post for Poveda to tap in.
Phil Foden had the chance to double the lead, twisting and turning his way into the penalty area before drilling a tame effort which Chris Renshaw gathered.
The Everton shot-stopper produced an excellent save to thwart Joe Hardy’s low effort, whilst Duhaney blasted just wide, as the hosts pressed.
Everton threatened around the half-hour mark, as Hornby volleyed over and Antony Evans curled free-kick into Sokol’s arms.
City doubled their advantage on 36 minutes, as Hardy fired across the goalkeeper, whose parried the ball onto Morris and it bounced into the net to seemingly hand the league leaders a comfortable lead.
The visitors pulled themselves back into the game though just before half-time. Daniel Bramhall whipped in a teasing cross which was met by Hornby and deflected in off Latibeaudiere.
Everton’s momentum continued into the second half and they were level within five minutes, with another Hornby conversion from another Bramhall delivery.
Foden and Ogunby came close to restoring City’s lead with efforts saved, but Everton would turn the game on its head as Kiersey burst through and coolly slotted into the bottom corner.
The points looked to be heading to Merseyside when Hornby converted from the spot, having been upended by Sokol.
The hosts had other ideas though and when Ogunby made it 4-3 with a turn and finish, the momentum switched once more.
An opportunity for an equaliser presented itself in the dying minutes as City were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area, and Duhaney capitalised, curling the set-piece, despite the hand of Renshaw, to rescue a point.
What it means…
City retain their place at the top of the U18 Premier League table, with 29 points from 11 games.
The Blues travel to West Brom on Saturday 26 November (11am) next.
Key moment
The clash was full of turning points but of course, the magic moment has to be City’s late leveller.
How they lined up…
Pawel Sokol retained his place in between the sticks, with a back four of Jacob Davenport, Ed Francis, Joel Latibeaudiere and Demeaco Duhaney in front of him.
Matt Smith further forward.
On the wings were Henri Ogunby and Ian Poveda. Joe Hardy occupied the number 9 role.
SUBS: Lorenzo Jose Gonzalez, Tom Scott, Taylor Richards, Colin Rosler.
