Mukasa and McAidoo fire EDS to impressive victory over RB Leipzig

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Deployed in a central attacking role, Mukasa struck twice within four first half minutes to send Ben Wilkinson’s youngsters in 2-0 up at the break.

Though Leipzig’s Samba Konate struck just past the hour to narrow the deficit, McAidoo replied almost instantly to secure a priceless first group win.

With a game to go, the result also keeps City firmly on track to finish in the top two in Group A and with it a place in the knockout stages.

The game in 250 words

City kicked off on a bitterly cold night at the Joie Stadium seeking to warm spirits by claiming our first victory in Group A after successive draws in our opening two clashes.

With first team assistant coach Pep Lijnders among the interested spectators, it was the young Blues who carved out the first opportunity on four minutes, McAidoo seizing on a poor clearance from Leipzig keeper Elian Hahner.

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However, the visitors’ number one immediately redeemed himself by making a smart block to deny the City winger.

And Hahner was there again three minutes later, racing out to deny Justin Oboavwoduo after a smart City move had opened up an opportunity on the left edge of the box.

City then had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock on 28 minutes. A sublime Mukasa pass gave Muir the angle to shoot from 15 yards and though Hahner parried the effort the ball rebounded to Oboavwoduo who saw his instant shot agonisingly go wide.

But City didn’t have long to wait to get the goal with Mukasa deservedly breaking the deadlock within 60 seconds.

Oboavwoduo was the architect, drilling in an inviting cross from the left edge of the box which gave the skipper the simplest of tap-ins.

And within three minutes Mukasa had struck again to double City’s lead.

Again, the threat came from the left flank, this time from Muir’s cross which, thanks to a neat Charlie Gray dummy, found the waiting Mukasa in the box.

He then swivelled and despatched a fine shot which proved too good for Hahner.

The Blues looked to step up our advantage shortly after the break and only a supreme Hahner save denied McAidoo from close range after the winger had skipped in from the right flank.

But there was a scare for City with Leipzig’s Toni Langsteiner hitting the base of the City post on 59 minutes after a breakaway by the visitors.

And the visitors did narrow the deficit on 65 minutes when Konate found a fraction of space in the box and powered home from 10 yards.

But City responded in superb fashion, with McAidoo finally seeing his persistence pay off as he drilled home a superb effort on 70 minutes from a tight angle to restore our two goal advantage.

Sub Reigan Heskey then saw his fine effort cannon back off the bar with City impressing from start to finish in what was a fine all-round display.

How we lined up

Jack Wint was in goal and shielded by a back four of Brooklyn Nfonkeu, Kian Noble, Stephan Mfuni and Christian McFarlane.

Femi Fapetu was the holding midfielder with Charlie Gray and Justin Oboavwoduo also in the City engine room.

Divine Mukasa was City’s central attacking threat with Ryan McAidoo and Ashton Muir deployed wide.

CITY EDS XI: Wint, Nfonkeu, Noble, Mfuni, McFarlane, Fapetu (Sangare 75), Gray (Smith 85), Oboavwoduo (R Heskey 75), McAidoo (Warhurst 85), Mukasa, Muir (Dada-Mascoll 75)

Subs: Brits, Naylor.

RB LEIPZIG: Hahner, Norbye, Schuldes, Konate, Tomasevic (Brocker 64), Hall, Langsteiner, Luyeye Mpasi, Ngatcheu, Masanka Bungi, Mehmeti

Subs: Daffner, Walther, Muller, Naumann, Voufack, Klapija

What it means

A first victory in Group A means City have five points from our three games and are still very much in the hunt to finish in the top two and so qualify for the knockout stages.

We now lie third in the table, a point behind Everton, who have also played three times. Real Madrid, who have played all four group games, lead the way with eight points.

What’s next

The City youngsters are back in Premier League International Cup action next Tuesday, 20 January.

We play host to Monaco in our final group game with everything to play for. The action at the Joie Stadium is set to get underway at 19.00 (UK).