Borges brace downs Liverpool and fires EDS back to the top of PL2

In what was a fiercely fought, entertaining encounter at the Academy Stadium, Bobb had fired City into an early lead only for the visitors to quickly draw level through Mateusz Musialowski.

Borges though struck six minutes before the break to restore our lead.

And the winger then claimed his 14th PL2 goal of the season and 22nd overall 19 minutes from time to seal what was another fine afternoon’s work by Brian Barry Murphy’s side.

What happened

City had gone into the game looking to extend what had been a superb start to 2023 with Barry Murphy’s Under–21s unbeaten. having won three of our four games since the turn of the year.

Liverpool presented stiff opposition however, testing us with their attacking game early on in what was an absorbing encounter.

However, it was City who made the ideal start powering into a 13th minute lead at the Academy Stadium through Oscar Bobb.

The skilful Norwegian midfielder was the architect, driving at the heart of the Liverpool defence before squaring for the waiting Borges.

Though Liverpool keeper Harvey Davies saved the winger’s initial effort, Bobb was there to force home the rebound.

However, Liverpool responded in kind as the visitors drew level within six minutes.

An inviting Max Frauendorf ball put Luca Stephenson in space on the right flank and his pinpoint cross found the unmarked Mateusz Musialowski who headed past Mikki van Saas into the bottom corner.

In a lively opening quarter, City then had a strong shout for a penalty turned down by referee Paul Marsden after a strong challenge on Dire Mebude in the box.

Right back Tom Galvez then had to be alert to clear a deflected cross that appeared goal bound as Liverpool pressed once more.

And it needed a timely intervention from Finley Burns to avert the danger once again on 34 minutes after a dangerous Lee Jonas cross into the heart of our box and Van Saas then had to be alert to block a Bobby Clark shot

But City struck again in clinical fashion on 39 minutes as leading scorer Borges restored our advantage ahead of the break.

A Mebude surge down the right flank opened up space and after Alex Robertson had neatly dummied the winger’s cross on the edge of the box, the ball found the unmarked Borges.

He checked before rifling home a stunning shot to register his 13th PL2 goal of the season and 21st across all competitions.

City nearly extended our advantage five minutes after the restart as first Liverpool keeper Davies blocked a close-range Robertson shot before Mebdue then drove wide of the target from a tight angle.

At the other end, van Saas produced a smart save to to deny the dangerous Musialowski.

City wouldn’t be denied however, and that man Borges was there again to power home his second and our third on 71 minutes.

Robertson and Mebude combined after Kian Breckin had wrestled possession from Liverpool with the ball finding Borges lurking on the left edge of the box.

And the 19-year-old needed no second invitation to rifle home a brilliant shot to extend our advantage and round off a fine all-round performance.

How we lined up

Mikki van Saas was in goal and shielded by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Finley Burns, Jadel Katongo and Tom Galvez.

Shea Charles was the holding midfielder with Kian Breckin and Alex Robertson also in the engine.

The City attacking trio was made up of Oscar Bobb, Dire Mebude and Carlos Borges

CITY XI: van Saas, Samuel, Burns, Katongo, Galvez, Charles, Breckin, Robertson (Dickson 77), Mebude, Bobb (Adam 88), Borges

Subs:  McNamara, Agyemang, McDonald

LIVERPOOL: Davies, Jonas, Scanlon, Olufunwa, Koumetio, Corness, Frauendorf, Stephenson, Musialowski, Clark, Woltman

Subs: Pilling, Hughes, Spearing, Miles

What it means

City return to the top of the PL2 table as we leapfrog Chelsea.

We now have a two point lead on the Londoners with 34 points and have a crucial game in hand.

What’s next

Brian Barry Murphy’s youngsters are next in action on Friday evening when we travel to London to take on Fulham.

The game will be shown live on CITY+ and Recast with the action set to get underway at 19.00pm (UK).