What happened...
Tom Dele-Bashiru’s first half strike ensured Manchester City ended their U18 Premier League season with victory over Liverpool.
It was a quiet start to the match with both sides comfortable in possession but not offering much threat to the imposing defences.
Much of the first half hour was dictated by City deep in Liverpool’s half but, other than Benjamin Garre’s deflected shot, there was little threat on the Liverpool goal.
That all changed in the 32nd minute as Iker Pozo’s lofted pass set Dele-Bashiru away before the midfielder cut inside and finished inside Caoimhan Kelleher’s near post.
City again found joy down the left shortly before the interval as Rabbi Matondo curled an effort that hit the far post before flying across the line and striking the other.
Liverpool came out on strongly in the second period but composed defending from Joel Latibeaudiere and Nathaniel Ogbeta mixed with strong goalkeeping from Pawel Sokol kept the visitors out.
View the recent victory over Reading below...
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What it means...
Lee Carsley’s side end the Merit Group A stage of the U18 Premier League with 14 points from seven matches.
Key moment...
As Dele-Bashiru collected the ball in the inside left position, he could have turned on to his left and looked for a pass across the goal.
Instead he came inside and proved too hot to handle for both centre-back and goalkeeper as he put City in the lead.
Man of the match...
Tom Dele-Bashiru – Operating in the number ten role in the absence of Phil Foden, Dele-Bashiru was a driving force for his side.
As well as his crucial goal, the midfielder carried the ball forward excellently throughout the game to relieve pressure from a high Liverpool press.
How they lined up...
Pawel Sokol kept his place in goal.
Luke Bolton, usually a winger, started at right-back with Nathaniel Ogbeta and captain Joel Latibeaudiere in the centre and Tyreke Wilson at left-back.
Iker Pozo sat at the base of the midfield behind Matt Smith and Tom Dele-Bashiru while Benjamin Garre and Rabbi Matondo flanked central striker Lorenzo Gonzalez.
