Ten man City suffer defeat to Norwich

Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad were reduced to ten men in a 6-0 defeat to Norwich City in the Premier League 2 at the Joie Stadium

The Canaries were in control for large parts of the first half and went ahead through a penalty after Kian Noble handled the ball inside the area and was shown a red card.

Early into the second, the visitors doubled their lead through Tony Springett with a smartly placed finish low into the bottom corner, before the Norwich winger got his second of the match, slotting in after a swift counter attack.

The visitors took advantage of their man advantage, as Joe Duffy tapped a fourth into an empty net and afterwards, flicked a fine cross into the net to round off the scoring.

Przemyslaw Placheta raced through on goal and slotted away a sixth late on to round off the scoring.

WHAT HAPPENED

There were some young faces in the line up for this Premier League 2 clash, with some of the EDS squad being called up for England’s youth teams and Pep Guardiola’s FIFA Club World Cup squad.

With former Scottish international Grant Hanley, and the experienced Adam Forshaw in the Norwich City XI, City youngsters were expected for a tough assignment.

The visitors had the first attempt of the afternoon, after City gave the ball away to Norwich’s Ken Aboh in the penalty area, who’s strong effort was well held by George Murray-Jones.

It was not long till we had our first chance. Ashton Muir darted inside and his shot was deflected to Josh Adam, his first effort was bravely blocked, before his second effort sailed wide of the target.

The young Canaries were controlling large spells of the first half and were finding gaps in City’s backline.

Guilherme Montóia was played through down the left hand side for Norwich, with his pace allowing him to break clear of his marker, but Murray-Jones came out early to close down the angle and save the resulting shot.

Another opportunity came the way of the visitors when Montoia tried to curl an effort from outside the penalty area which flew inches over the crossbar.

Down the other end, City responded through Christian Dunbar-McDonald who used his skill to evade the defender, but his shot, that looked to be going in, was blocked.

Norwich were pressing well which resulted in City gifting the ball once more in the midfield and Przemyslaw Placheta forced a low, one handed save from Murray-Jones.

A shot came in that struck the hand of Kian Noble, who was subsequently sent off for the offence and a penalty was awarded to the visitors.

Ken Aboh stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to give the Norfolk outfit the advantage just before the break.

Into the second half, City continued to play expansive football in the search for the equaliser, but this did leave big holes in the defence which Norwich were to exploit.

Tony Springett managed to evade challenges from the City defenders and place a shot low into George Murray-Jones’ far corner to double Norwich’s advantage.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s side started to create chances, putting in some fine crosses but there was nobody in the box in blue to have a shot at goal, and it was at the other end where it was nearly another for Norwich.

A corner was floated in and there was pin ball inside the area until Emmanuel Adegboyega swung a boot at the ball and it was defended on the line by numerous City bodies.

Springett would seal his second of the afternoon with 15 minutes remaining before turning provider when his cross found Joe Duffy who tapped into an empty net.

Buoyed by bagging his first of the afternoon, the striker then doubled his tally with a smart, flicked header which nestled in the net.

The visitors weren’t finished there, though and had a sixth when Placheta Placheta raced down the left and passed home.

HOW WE LINED UP

Brian Barry-Murphy selected George Murray-Jones in goal for this match, with a back four of Michael Okeke, Harrison Parker, Kian Noble and Tome Galvez protecting him.

Femi Fapetu sat in front of the defence, with Josh Adam and Kane Taylor playing ahead of him.

Reigan Heskey led the line, and was supported by Ashton Muir and Christian Dunbar-McDonald on the wings.

Manchester City EDS

XI | Murray-Jones, Okeke, Parker (78’ Drake), Noble, Galvez (C) (78’ Naylor), Fapetu (25’ Harrison), Muir, Adam, Heskey (85’ Nfonkeu), Taylor, Dunbar-McDonald

Subs | Grant

Norwich City U21

XI | Reyes, Fisher, Montóia (78’ Wilson), Warner (C), Hanley (45’ Adegboyega), Forshaw (73’ Manning), Springett, Gibbs, Welch (59’ Duffy), Aboh (73’ Lima), Placheta

Subs | N/A