What happened...
City extended their unbeaten run in the U18 Premier League with a comfortable 3-1 victory in front of a sizable Academy Stadium crowd.
Two goals from Lorenzo Gonzalez and another from Phil Foden were enough to seal the victory for City after they fell behind in the opening minutes.
A sloppy start from City was punished by Jayden Bogle’s close range finish after four minutes. Derby winger Mitchell-Lawson made ground down the left before his cross caused a scramble which resulted in a tap in for Bogle.
City responded excellently and forged a number of opportunities before Jadon Sancho made it to the byline and cut back for Lorenzo Gonzalez to equalise midway through the half.
It wasn’t long before the Blues had put their early blip completely behind them and taken the lead. Gonzalez once again found the net, this time with a powerful drive that was too hot for Derby goalkeeper Josh Barnes to handle.
City had found their rhythm and effectively put the game to bed before the half-time whistle when Phil Foden turned the ball home after a Colin Rosler cross evaded the Derby defence.
As fans have come to expect from this team, City’s youngsters dominated possession throughout the second half.
Neat passing through the midfield trio of Iker Pozo, Matt Smith and Foden ensured the Blues remained comfortably in the lead despite rarely threatening to extend their advantage.
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What it means...
Lee Carsley‘s side have 17 points from their opening seven games in the U18 Premier League and remain unbeaten.
City travel to Newcastle United next Saturday morning for the latest fixture in the U18 Premier League.
Man of the match...
Lorenzo Gonzalez - Gonzalez’s hard work was a constant menace to the Derby defence and a source of inspiration for City after their faltering start.
Two lethal finishes backed up the striker’s work ethic and put Lee Carsley’s men in a commanding position before the half-time whistle.
How they lined up...
Swiss Aro Muric continued his run in goal. Colin Rosler, Joel Latibeaudiere, Ash Kigbu and Ed Francis were this week’s chosen back four with Latibeaudiere retaining the armband.
Iker Pozo sat behind Matt Smith and Phil Foden in the centre of midfield while Ian Carlo Poveda and Jadon Sancho flanked Lorenzo Gonzalez.
Substitutes: Luke Bolton, Pavel Sokol, Joe Hardy
Derby XI: Barnes, Mbuti, Mills, Magno, Bateman, C. Thomas, Bogle, Wise, Cresswell, L. Thomas, Mitchell-Lawson
