Sangare hat-trick helps City maintain 100% UEFA Youth League record

Mahamadou Sangare headed home the opener before a Melvin Gomes own goal doubled our lead inside 20 minutes.

Sangare made it three from the penalty spot, but Nahel Haddani gave Monaco a glimmer of hope when he pulled one back for the hosts just before half-time.

Ryan McAidoo’s early second-half strike, a phenomenal solo effort, restored City’s three-goal lead, with Haddani and Sangare both on target again before an eight-goal thriller was completed with a consolation from Ekene Chukwuani.

WHAT HAPPENED

Looking to carry on where we left off following Gameweek One, which saw City beat Napoli 2-0, it didn’t take Ben Wilkinson’s side long to get off the mark in the picturesque mountain setting of Monaco.

After McAidoo’s initial chance was denied, Christian McFarlane picked up the loose ball and whipped an inviting cross in from the left, where Sangare rose highest at the back post to nod City ahead on 14 minutes.

McAidoo continued to be a bright spark on the right flank, with the winger twisting and turning away from Monaco’s players, and his hard work would later be rewarded with a goal in the second half. 

And the 17-year-old forced an error from Gomes for our second with his cross ricocheting off the defender’s shin and past his goalkeeper Jules Stawiecki.

With goal difference likely to be a key factor in league standings come the conclusion of the League Phase, City continued to push for more.

And we were given another golden opportunity when a mistimed challenge by Daryl Leunga Leunga sent Sangare sprawling in the Monaco box, with referee Mikkel Redder quick to award a penalty.

City’s number nine dusted himself down and converted the spot kick to make it three just after the half-hour mark.

But a lapse in concentration immediately after the restart saw Haddani convert his own rebound, after both posts denied his initial effort.

Not to be deterred, our young boys in blue put on a counterattacking masterclass early in the second half to restore our three-goal advantage.

Sangare collected City’s clearance from Monaco’s corner, and sent McAidoo through one-on-one with Stawiecki.

The winger faked a shot to glide around the Monaco ‘keeper but still had work to do, feinting back around the rapidly retreating Yashir Mouh before nonchalantly tapping home into an empty net.

Monaco still proved a threat, with Haddani scoring a second with just under 30 minutes left to play, but the hosts still had an uphill climb ahead.

And in arguably his best outing for City since signing in the summer, Sangare deservedly completed his first hat-trick in blue when firing home a rebound into the roof of the net.

Substitute Ekene Chukwuani tapped home a Monaco corner, but it was a mere consolation for the hosts as City came out on top in the eight-goal thriller. 

TEAMS

MONACO XI | Stawiecki, Dzabatou Ecko, Mokabakila (Ajroud 32’), Leunga Leunga, Gomes, Oyatambwe, Zoukrou (Badoro 77’), Moulangou (Tincres 46’), Haddini (Chukwuani 63’), Mouh, Dendani (Sylla 63’).

SUBS | Tiamuna Lubaki, Bein, Drame.  

CITY XI | Brits, Headley, Noble, Mfuni, McFarlane, Fapetu, McAidoo (Warhurst 84’), F. Samba (Braithwaite 84’), Sangare, Oboavwoduo (Gray 64’), R. Heskey (Dunbar-McDonald 71’).

SUBS | Hudson, Drake, Miles, T. Samba, Nfonkeu.

AS A RESULT

City are one of eight teams to pick up all six points so far in the League Phase.

With a goal difference of four, Wilkinson’s side sit sixth in the standings.

UP NEXT

It’s a quick turnaround for City as our attentions now turn back to the Premier League 2.

We welcome Reading to the Joie Stadium on Sunday 5 October, with kick-off scheduled for 12:00 (UK).

The game will be available to watch live on CITY+, with match tickets also available on mancity.com and on the Official Man City App.