City’s EDS fight back to earn a point in PL2 thriller with Southampton

Nicholas Oyekunle opened the scoring for the hosts, finding the back of the City net on 15 minutes, but City replied through Matty Warhurst soon after.

But Max Fry’s headed goal restored Southampton’s lead and when Oyekunle then found the back of the net to make it three before the break, our young blues were left with a difficult task.

But Ben Wilkinson’s side turned the game on its head, with Justin Oboavwuduo’s composed finish making it 3-2 before Stephen Mfuni placed a fantastic, curling effort into the top right corner to draw City level.

WHAT HAPPENED

Two sides who’d locked horns in the PL2 play-off final just four months prior did battle once again at the Joie Stadium.

City had run out 2-0 winners in that contest, and started the brighter again in our latest showdown with the Saints.

Despite evening kick-offs getting chillier, the cool breeze that cascaded around the Joie Stadium didn’t stop Ben Wilkinson’s side from starting hot with Oboavwoduo rattling the crossbar in the opening minutes.

But the visitors then found their way into the game and, after a spell of possession, Oyekunle slotted home at the near post.

City retaliated just over 10 minutes later with Matty Warhurst tapping home Emilio Lawrence’s low-driven cross from the right.

Put the pendulum once again swung in favour of Southampton, when Cameron Bragg’s corner was nodded in by Fry, before he turned provider for Oyekunle to get his second and Saints’ third before the break.

Despite the visitors’ advantage, there was a feeling that the next goal could prove pivotal in the outcome of the contest, with City still pressing for a route back into the game.

And it was the Blues who would grab it.

After quick link-up play on the edge of the Saints box, the attack ended with Oboavowduo placing the ball into the bottom right corner to halve the deficit with just over 20 minutes to go.

Momentum was on City’s side, and a moment of quality would deservedly draw us level.

It came from Mfuni, with the defender’s marauding run deep into Southampton’s half rounded off with a sweet right-footed strike into the top corner.

City weren’t content with a point though and continued to search for a winner, with substitute Charlie Gray seeing an effort from distance saved before Tommy Dobson-Ventura made two vital last-ditch blocks to keep the scores level.

TEAMS

CITYI XI | Brits, Katongo, Mfuni, Mbete (Noble 46’), Naylor, Fapetu (Gray 64’), Lawrence, J. Heskey, Warhurst, Oboavwoduo, R. Heskey (Muir 64’).

SUBS | Wint, Breckin.

SOUTHAMPTON XI | Moody (Jeffries 67’), Fry (Sewell 72’) Dobson-Ventura, Okunola, Sesay (Merry 67’), Akachukwu (Gathercole 90’), Oyekunle, Vallance, Williams, Bragg, Whittaker.

SUBS | Charles.

WHAT IT MEANS

After four Premier League 2 games, City have 4 points from one win, one draw and two defeats.

Every point matters as we chance a spot in the top 16 of the 29-team league.

UP NEXT

Our attention now turns to the UEFA Youth League and our trip to AS Monaco.

We face the Ligue 1 Under-19 side on Wednesday 1 October, with kick-off scheduled for 14:00 (UK).

And the game will be available to watch live on CITY+.