City fall to narrow defeat against Everton

For all of City’s dominance, it was Everton that took the lead through Roman Dixon on the 12^th minute after a spectacular run from inside his own half, as he evaded challenges from the City defence to shoot past True Grant.

City were unable to crave open the Everton defence, as City were defeated on Merseyside.

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WHAT HAPPENED

Preceding got underway on a windy morning at Finch Farm as we looked to continue our unbeaten start to the season.

City flew out of the traps, as some neat play through the middle of the park reached Matty Whittingham, who played a ball through the defensive line to Joel Ndala, but his curling shot managed to beat the keeper and the far post.

Despite our Young Outfit dominating the early stages of the game, it was the Toffees who broke the deadlock first.

Everton’s right back, Roman Dixon, picked up the ball from inside his own half and charged at the City defence, as he skipped through many challenges from the City backline, his shot went across True Grant and rippled into the net.

Ben Wilkinson’s side were no strangers of being behind, after our dramatic comeback victory last time out, as we pressurised the hosts in search for an equaliser.

Whittingham found himself with some space down the left, and his chipped cross met Jaden Heskey, but he could only guide his header over the top of the bar.

We had a lot of possession, but Everton defended resolutely with no clear sight of goal being seen before the half time interval.

This pattern was replicated at the start of the second half, as City were pushing for the goal to put the game level.

And after a long passage of play, Jacob Wright decided to pull the trigger from far out, but his low shot rolled away wide of the target.

Substitute, Ashton Muir did well with some fine wing play to get him into space, his inviting cross met Oboavwoduo his header went wide.

Ndala and Oboavwoduo had chances at the death to grab a late equaliser, but they fell into the gloves of Everton shot stopper, Seb Jensen.

As City faced defeat for the first time this campaign. 

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HOW WE LINED UP

True Grant was selected in goal for this one, with a back four of Michael Okeke, Max Alleyne, Jacob Wright and Tom Galvez protecting him.

Charlie Gray played in front of the defence, with Nico O’Reilly and Matty Whittingham playing further ahead, linking the midfield to the attack.

Jaden Heskey took the number nine shirt, with Joel Ndala and Justin Oboavwoduo supporting him on the wings.

Everton Under-18s

Starting XI: Jensen, Dixon, Wright, Tierney, Wilson, Patterson, Heath, Apter, Smikle-James, Bates, Ebere

SUBS: Graham, Sherif, Samuels-Smith, Coughlan, Beaumont-Clark

Manchester City Under-18s

Starting XI: Grant, Galvez, Wright, Alleyne, Okeke, Gray, O’Reilly, Whittingham, Oboavwoduo, Heskey, Ndala

SUBS: Simpson-Pusey, Wint, Harrison, Muir, Alfa-Ruprecht

UP NEXT

City take a break from league action as we take a trip to the East Midlands to face Leicester City in the Premier League U18 Cup.

Kick off is at 12:30 (UK) on Saturday 8^th October.

Next Fixture

All fixtures

Sat 08 Oct

Premier League U18 Cup

Leicester

12:30

BST

Man City