A first half opener from this season’s EDS top scorer, Liam Delap and a second strike from James McAtee secured a well-deserved three points for Enzo Maresca’s side on a snowy afternoon at the Academy Stadium.
WHAT HAPPENED
It was a fast start from our youngsters, as the deadlock was nearly broken inside the first five minutes.
A superb ball over the top from Alex Robertson found Cole Palmer, who then charged into the box before putting his effort on the angle narrowly wide.
Moments later we came close again as Delap broke in behind the Brighton backline but put his one-on-one effort wide of the far post.
City’s early dominance would be a pattern that followed throughout the first half and another golden opportunity fell Palmer’s way on the half-hour mark.
The wide man played a neat one-two with Robertson in the Brighton box, but once again Palmer agonisingly missed the target as he put his effort from 10 yards just wide of the mark.
Palmer did not stop there in his hunt for an opener and once again came close, as he latched onto a low Delap cross only to see his effort denied by a superb goal line clearance.
Just two minutes later however we finally had the opener we deserved.
Another low ball across the six yard bax from Nmecha found Delap, who tapped home from close range for his sixth league goal of the season to give us a well-earned advantage just before the break.
Into the second half and unlike the first City were able to break the deadlock early on in this one.
Again, Nmecha was the provider (this time maybe somewhat fortuitously) as his shot was spilled by Carl Rushworth in the Brighton goal, allowing McAtee to scramble it home and double our lead.
Our hunt for goals did not stop there, as a high press allowed McAtee to disposes Jenson Weir 20 yards from goal, however his lobbed effort over the keeper fell just wide of the post.
City’s fast-flowing football was a pleasure to watch, and a neat team move nearly provided a third through substitute Ben Knight.
A clever Palmer pass on the edge of the box, found the overlapping Knight, who then saw his effort from a tight angle well saved by Rushworth at the near post.
Despite the game entering the final stages our hunger for more was clear to see and Nmecha, who had proved provider all afternoon nearly had one of his own.
A smart ball across the box from Palmer found an out-stretched Nmecha, however his sliding effort from six yards beat both the keeper and the post as it rolled wide.
The visitors did grab a late one of their own just before the final whistle however it was too little to late, as we secured another win at the Academy Stadium this season.
HOW WE LINED UP
Cieran Slicker‘s goal was protected by a back four of Claudio Gomes, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Luke Mbete and Adrian Bernabe.
Tommy Doyle, Alex Robertson and James McAtee formed a midfield three, with Felix Nmecha and and Cole Palmer on the wings.
Liam Delap led the line up front.
WHAT IT MEANS
The win sends us to the top of the Premier League 2 table after nine games, one point ahead of Liverpool.
WHAT’S NEXT
Next up our EDS turn their attention to the Papa John’s Trophy, as we take on Tranmere Rovers in the Round of 32 on Tuesday 8 December at 19:45 (UK)
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