Cool Mukasa finish and Harrison double secure win over Liverpool

Alfie Harrison was the star of the show as he grabbed an assist and got himself on the scoresheet twice.

The deadlock was broken on 28 minutes when Harrison set up Divine Mukasa for his first goal of the season to send the hosts in 1-0 up at half-time.

Harrison doubled City’s lead just after the hour mark with his ninth goal of the season before adding a third late on to seal a handsome victory.

WHAT HAPPENED

City had a couple of early openings down the left hand side. First, Harrison picked out Matty Warhurst in the middle and Liverpool captain Wellity Omoruyi made a vital last ditch block.

Omoruyi then nearly put through his own net following Ashton Muir‘s low driven cross.

Both keepers had to be on their toes to keep it goalless. Jack Wint pushed behind Keiran Morrison’s effort at his near post, and at the other end Kornel Misciur got down well to save a powerful strike from Farid Alfa-Ruprecht.

With 13 minutes on the clock, Alfa-Ruprecht had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside.

There was an ongoing duel between Alfa-Ruprecht and Misciur, and the Reds keeper again denied City’s number seven with another fine save.

City took a well-deserved lead just short of the half hour. Harrison cut the ball back for Mukasa to sweep home left-footed first time.

Trent Kone-Doherty had a two opportunities to level for the Reds, but he fired straight at Wint on both occasions.

City were really turning the screw at the start of the second half. Alfa-Ruprecht had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 when he ran clear but blasted over.

Harrison was then a whisker away from doubling our lead with a volley on the swivel, before Mukasa struck one and saw his effort well saved by Misciur.

City did inevitably double their lead through Harrison, who picked it up on the left before going on a mazy dribble into the box and squeezing the ball in from a tight angle.

Louie Enaharo and Mukasa both came close as City continued to dominate.

Harrison then put the icing on the cake deep into stoppage time with his second and City’s third.

HOW WE LINED UP

Jack Wint started between the sticks, with Ezra Carrington, Harrison Parker, Kian Noble and Seb Naylor in defence.

Charlie Gray and Divine Mukasa formed the engine room.

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht played on the right and captain Ashton Muir lined up on the left, with Alfie Harrison playing in behind Matty Warhurst.

City U18s XI: Jack Wint, Ezra Carrington, Harrison Parker (Kylan Midwood 95’), Kian Noble, Seb Naylor, Divine Mukasa, Charlie Gray (Kaden Braithwaite 71’), Farid Alfa-Ruprecht (Reigan Heskey 68’), Alfie Harrison, Ashton Muir, Matty Warhurst (Dan Batty 68’)

Unused Subs: Oliver Whatmuff

Liverpool U18s XI: Kornel Misciur, Lucas Pitt, Wellity Omoruyi, Francis Gyimah, Trent Kone-Doherty (Cody Pennington 78’), Keiran Morrison, Kyle Kelly (Afolami Onanuga 78’), Keyrol Figueroa (Josu Sonni-Lambie 78’), Jayden Danns, Ben Trueman (Louie Enaharo 85’)

Unused Subs: Nathen Morana

WATCH: City U18s 3-0 Liverpool: Extended highlights

WHAT IT MEANS

City have moved to within two points of second-placed Liverpool with two games in hand.

Back-to-back 3-0 victories at home in the league while keeping clean sheets have put us back on track.

WHAT’S NEXT

City’s Under 18s are at home again next against Sunderland.

Kick-off is scheduled for Friday 8 December at 12:30pm (UK).