Mebude at the double as EDS topple Liverpool

Adedire Mebude scored with just eight minutes on the clock before adding another to his tally just after the hour mark. 

Substitute Dan Ogwuru grabbed our third with 20 minutes left to play to round off what was a dominant display from Brian Barry-Murphy‘s youngsters. 

WHAT HAPPENED

The EDS head coach was looking for a positive start to the new campaign as we set out in defence of ur Premier League 2 crown once again. 

And even a tough opening day test away to Liverpool didn’t deter his ranks, as we took the lead inside the opening ten minutes, when Oscar Bobb set-up Mebude to open the scoring, giving us a dream start on Merseyside. 

We continued to dominate the chances in the first half as Liverpool struggled to threaten our goal, seeing us hold out to a one-goal lead heading into the break. 

Our control over the game continued into the second period, with our defence able to keep out the Liverpool attack, who struggled to break past a resilient City back-line. 

Meanwhile, we were able to double our lead just past the hour mark, as Mebude grabbed his second of the match after being teed up by Carlos Borges to give us some more breathing space. 

And the result was put beyond all doubt just before the 70th minute as Borges once again became provider, this time for Ogwuru who fired home to ensure we would head back to Manchester with all three points. 

HOW WE LINED UP

Mikki van Sas was selected between the sticks, and he was protected by a back four comprised of Juan Larios at right-back, Kane Taylor at left-back with Luke Mbete partnering Max Alleyne in the centre-half spots. 

Captain Shea Charles lined up in midfield alongside Kian Breckin, sitting just behind Oscar Bobb in the more advanced number ten role.

Carlos Borges provided an attacking threat down the left flank with Sam Edozie on the right, leaving striker duties to Dire Mebude, who took City’s number nine shirt for the season opener. 

Manchester City Elite Development Squad 

Starting XI: van Sas, Larios, Alleyne, Mbete, Taylor, Charles (C), Edozie, Breckin, Mebude, Bobb, Borges.

Substitutes: Agyemang, McNamara, Adam, Smith, Ogwuru. 

Liverpool U-21s 

Starting XI: Davies, Mabaya, Chambers, Quansah, Jonas, Bajcetic, Frauendorf, Clark, Stewart, Cain, Norris. 

Substitutes: Musialowski, Hewitson, Cannonier, Woltman, Corness. 

WHAT IT MEANS

The victory and three goals scored sees us go top of the Premier League 2 table at this early stage, although not all teams have completed their first round of fixtures. 

UP NEXT

City will be back in Premier League 2 action next week as we take on Leicester City in our first home match of the new season. 

Kick-off at the Academy Stadium will be 14:00 (UK) on Sunday 14 August.