Five-star EDS turn on the style at Derby

EDS & Academy

McAtee nominated for PL2 Player of the Month for January

A brace from James McAtee along with second half strikes from Darko Gyabi, Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb were no less than City deserved in the East Midlands in what was another hugely impressive all-round display.

It’s now four wins out of four in 2022 for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side who are going from strength to strength as the season approaches the business end.

What happened

With a strong breeze making life difficult at St George’s Park, City sought to seize the initiative straight from the off.

Liam Delap dragged a sixth-minute shot wide from a short corner before Kayky then blazed over from Delap’s curl back as City kept up the early pressure.

On 14 minutes Derby keeper Foulkes needed to be alert and raced off his line to divert Kayky’s shot behind

Derby did have the ball in the net on 20 minutes as Cybulski volleyed home Wilson’s cross but the flag was up for offside but it was City carrying the bigger threat.

And on 24 minutes City’s pressure finally told as we took the lead through top scorer James McAtee

After Darko Gyabi had been pulled back City earned a free-kick in a dangerous position.

And PL2 leading scorer McAtee needed no second invitation, using the swirling wind to guide his superb free-kick into the net to fire City into the lead with what was 15th league goal of the season.

However, City keeper Cieran Slicker was called into action on 37 minutes, producing a fine low save to deny Aghatise after he had let fly with a powerful drive from the edge of the area.

But City came out after the break seeking to consolidate our grip on the game – and within two minutes of the restart we had doubled our lead.

Darko Gyabi provided the finishing touch to another fine move and give us the perfect start to the second 45.

And man of the moment McAtee – who signed a new long term contract last week – then took centre stage again on 65 minutes.

The midfielder showed poise and panache to fire home with a powerful shot to take his league tally for the season to a sweet 16.

City’s dominance was further emphasised 17 minutes from time when substitute Micah Hamilton latched onto Juan Larios’ inviting through ball before finishing in style.

And a night to remember was then capped by Oscar Boob who made it high fives with a 79th minute goal to set the seal on a perfect night’s work.

How we lined up

Cieran Slicker was in goal shielded by a back four of Kwaku Oduroh, CJ Egan-Riley, Luke Mbete and Juan Larios, Shea Charles was the holding midfielder with Darko Gyabi and James McAtee also in the engine room.

Kayky, Liam Delap and Oscar Bobb made up our attacking triumvirate.

What it means

A fourth straight win of 2022 saw City extend our lead at the top of PL2 to four points from West Ham, though we have played an extra game.

We now have 39 points from 19 games with the Hammers second with 35 from 18.

What’s next

Brian Barry-Murphy’s young charges are next in action on Friday, February 18 when we play host to second-placed West Ham at the Academy Stadium in another hugely important encounter.

Kick-off is at 1pm and CITY+ subscribers will be able to watch the game live.