City bow out of Premier League International Cup following Monaco defeat

Oumar Konate found an early goal, firing past Jack Wint inside the first five minutes.

Kevin Sitou then doubled the visitors’ lead with the last kick of the first half after he was found free in the box and City paid the price.

Konate then secured a brace less than ten minutes into the second half and it looked as if City’s fate was sealed.

Ryan McAidoo fired home to net a late consolation goal and with that our International Premier League Cup journey came to an end under the lights.

THE GAME IN 250 WORDS 

City’s Young Blues started the game with the biting wind playing against them and hoping to record back-to-back victories in Group A.

But they would soon have to show their mettle as Monaco found the first of the game following a quick break with Konate firing the visitors ahead inside five minutes.

Yet City didn’t let it faze them as Harrison Parker’s leaping header from Ryan McAidoo’s corner marked our best chance with 20 minutes played, but the 19-year-old was unable to find the target.

With half an hour played, a free kick won by Reigan Heskey saw City go close once again as Ashton Muir whipped it in and Parker’s headed attempt was off the mark.

Despite Ben Wilkinson’s side hoping to go into the break with just one goal in it, a free header from Sitou saw Monaco extend their lead in the very last second of play and we headed in with a big second half performance needed.

The visitors came out of the gates blazing again though and threatened us once again as half-time substitute Ekene Chukwuani rattled the crossbar.

And The Red and Whites moved further ahead in the 54th minute as they netted their third goal.

It was Konate who secured his second of the night as he lofted the ball into the bottom corner.

The game eventually started to move in City’s favour as we finally saw some joy in front of goal, but yet again were not quite clinical enough.

Ashton Muir fired hard and low following Ryan McAidoo’s rebound, but his attempt was straight at the keeper and we entered the last half an hour without a goal to our name.

McAidoo then gained a late reward as he found the net in stoppage time with a drop of the shoulder and blast through the middle of two defenders.

It could only act as a consolation, however, as we bow out of the competition.

Teams 

CITY XI | Wint, Nfonkeu, Parker, Braithwaite, McFarlane, Fapetu (Dada-Mascoll 78’), McAidoo, Oboavwoduo (C), Sangare (Warhurst 62’), Muir, R Heskey (Dunbar McDonald 62’)

SUBS | Brits, Smith, Naylor, Miles

MONACO XI | Benchaouch, Coudour (El Ouaroudi 78’), Mokabakila (C), Leunga Leunga (Bein 62’), Kiwa, Sitou, Mouh (Moulangou 62’), Wamu, Etonde (Chukwuani 45’), Sylla, Konate (Dodo 62’)

SUBS | Tiamuna

As a result

After playing all our Group A games, City finish on five points and therefore exit the competition at this stage.

Only the top two sides in Group A advance and with results elsewhere, it means Everton and Real Madrid progress to the knockout stage.

Up next 

City’s EDS will return to Premier League 2 action with a trip to Merseyside, as we face Everton on Sunday 25 January with kick-off set for 15:00 (UK).