A second-half penalty from skipper Cole Palmer secured the points for City after a dominant performance.
Gareth Taylor’s side defended superbly to thwart any Derby threat, making it two clean sheets in a row.
What happened
City started the better of the two sides and had two big opportunities in the opening 15 minutes.
Liam Delap took advantage of a Derby mistake, but his effort was well saved to deny us the lead.
Captain Palmer was close to putting us ahead soon after. He rounded the keeper but fired his effort over the bar.
We started the second half brightly and were inches away taking the lead. Oscar Bobb curled an effort from the edge of the area, but it bounced back off the post.
We eventually took the lead ten minutes into the second half when Palmer was fouled in the area and stepped up to convert the penalty.
Bobb almost doubled our lead, but his effort cannoned back off the post, for a second time, to keep it at 1-0.
James Trafford made a fine save to deny Louie Sibley, injuring himself in the process, helping to secure the three points for City.
How we lined up
James Trafford was in goal shielded by a back four of CJ Egan-Riley, Finley Burns, Luke Mbete-Tabu and Josh Wilson-Esbrand. Lewis Fiorini provided cover in defensive midfield, with Cole Palmer and James McAtee providing support to the attackers. Ben Knight and Oscar Bobb started on the wings, with Liam Delap leading the attack.
What it means
The victory means we stay top of the U18 Premier League on 24 points, ahead of Liverpool and Everton.
What’s next
Next up, we travel to bottom side Sunderland on Saturday 7th December. Kick-off is at 11am at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground.
