EDS overcome stubborn Spurs to stretch lead at top of PL2

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Kallum Cesay had opened the scoring for the hosts before Carlos Borges fired in later in the first half following immense pressure from City.

After coming close with several fine openings, it was skipper Charles who headed in Ben Knight’s cross midway through the second half to complete the comeback win.

Victory for the EDS also saw us extend our lead at the top of the Premier League 2 to four points with nearest rivals Chelsea slipping up to Crystal Palace.

WHAT HAPPENED

As the sun set over the Lamex Stadium in Stevenage, City got proceedings underway hoping to move a step closer a third successive PL2 title.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s young side got into their stride early on, keeping the ball on the ground and in the hosts’ half of the pitch.

Dire Mebude recorded the first shot of the evening. His shot was struck well, but was met with a fine save from Spurs goalkeeper, Josh Keeley and resulted in a corner, which kept the pressure on the north London outfit.

Moments later, Oscar Bobb tried his luck as he curled a shot with his left foot over the bar, after clever build up play by the young Blues in the final third.

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Mebude, who was a constant threat in the game, was played through down the right again, he fired a cross in with some speed, but Micah Hamilton was unable to reach it at the far post.

Spurs found some rhythm midway through the first half and, against the run of play, took the lead.

A fine sequence of passes down the right ended up with Cesay who dribbled inside before he arrowed an effort past goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, to give the hosts the advantage.

However, City responded in style within a matter of moments.

Mebude was found by Hamilton in the penalty area who cut inside, but the ball got under his feet and his shot was blocked.

After tumbling about in the box, the ball eventually fell to Carlos Borges, who rifled a shot into the back of the net, to give City a deserved leveller.

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Despite our pressure, a lapse in concentration nearly landed us back in trouble. Casey was free in penalty area to fire a shot on target which was cleared off the line by Jahmai Simpson-Pusey but fortunately for City, the linesman had his flag up.

Kian Breckin then saw a shot fire past the post as the two teams went in level.

City came out rejuvenated after a half time team talk, as Borges reached Bobb’s pass in front of goal, he dribbled the ball out wide, but his subsequent shot flew past Keeley’s post.

Next up to nearly force the breakthrough was Alex Robertson, as a free kick was cleared out to the Australian international, who stung the palms of the keeper.

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Our graft was soon to be rewarded though, as substitute Ben Knight glanced up, before guiding a floated ball to the head of skipper, Shea Charles, who put us ahead.

Cesay, was a concern for City’s defence, and having already opened the scoring, he came close to a leveller seeing an effort travel just wide of Slicker’s post.

As the game reached its conclusion, Slicker then produced a fine save to deny Jamie Donley and ensure we collected all three points.

HOW WE LINED UP

Ciaran Slicker remained between the posts for this game, with a back four of Terrell Agyemang, Shea Charles, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Kane Taylor protecting him.

Kian Breckin and Alex Robertson were tasked with playing in front of the defence, with Oscar Bobb sat in an advanced midfield role and linking up with the frontline.

Micah Hamilton started as striker, with Carlos Borges and Dire Mebude in close support on the flanks to complete the attacking trio.

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XI: Keely, Robson (Cassanova 40’), Abbott, Sayers, Fagan-Walcott, Craig (C), Cesay, John (Williams 67’), Soonsup-Bell (Mathurin 67’), Donley, Alonso

Subs: Gunter, Dorrington

Manchester City EDS

XI: Slicker, Agyemang, Charles (C), Simpson-Pusey (Smith 68’), Taylor (Knight 46’), Robertson, Mebude, Breckin, Bobb, Hamilton (Adam 81’), Borges (Heskey 90+’)

Subs: Grant

WHAT IT MEANS

Victory for City puts us four points clear of the Premier League 2 after second-placed Chelsea lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace on the same evening.

City have five games left, Chelsea three.

WHAT’S NEXT

Our young Blues have an Easter Sunday game as we travel to the south coast to face Brighton.

Kick off is scheduled for Sunday 9 April at 13:00 (UK).