What happened...
City beat 10-man rivals Manchester United 2-0 to continue their unbeaten start to the U18 Premier League at the Academy Stadium.
Goals from Luke Bolton and Phil Foden either side of the red card for United goalkeeper Iilias Sebtaoul earned City the three points.
The Blues spent the early stages in the ascendancy with a series of neat passing sequences on the edge of their opponents’ box.
The pressure told midway through the first half as United defender Lee O’Connor missed an interception to allow Jadon Sancho in behind and the winger squared for Luke Bolton to tap home.
Although United threatened Aro Muric’s goal throughout the remainder of the half, the tall Swiss ‘keeper’s handling was solid.
The half-time introduction of Ian Carlo Poveda inspired the Blues to regain control of the match as both he and Sancho cut inside to create chances for Phil Foden and second half sub Joe Hardy.
It was Hardy who was through on goal as Sebtaoul came rushing out, only to foul the Blues striker and start a melee. Once it had died down, referee Kenwyn Hughes was on hand to dismiss the United goalkeeper.
City took advantage immediately as Phil Foden came in from the left and beat new United’ keeper Max Johnstone from 18 yards to seal the victory.
What it means...
Lee Carsley’s side have 11 points from their five matches so far with a record of three victories and two draws.
City travel to Sunderland next Saturday morning for the latest fixture in the U18 Premier League.
Man of the match...
Joel Latibeaudiere – City’s skipper put in a leader’s performance at the heart of the defence for the Blues.
In a fixture that often calls for character no matter what the level, Latibeaudiere was a commanding presence and the perfect example for his teammates to follow.
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.
Regular member of the EDS squads Jacob Davenport sat behind Tom Dele-Bashiru and Phil Foden in the centre of midfield while Luke Bolton and Jadon Sancho flanked Lorenzo Gonzalez.
Substitutes: Iker Pozo, Pavel Sokol, Ian Carlo Poveda, Joe Hardy, Taylor Richards
United XI: Sebtaoul, Tanner, Kenyon, O’Connor, Williams, Whelan, Chong, Boffounge, Burkhart, Gomes, Boonan
