City continue unbeaten streak with PL Cup victory over Chelsea

In a rollercoaster first half, Chizaram Ezenwata put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot before Teddie Lamb levelled from close range.

Floyd Samba then converted from the spot and it looked like we would go in at half-time ahead before Ezenwata equalised on the stroke of half-time.

Both sides had chances to win in it the second half before Tyrone Samba smashed a stunning strike from the edge of the box to secure a superb win for Oliver Reiss’ side.

The game in 250 words 

After both sides played out six-goal thrillers in their opening Premier League Cup fixtures - City drawing 3-3 at Crystal Palace - there was plenty of anticipation for an entertaining clash.

City have already scored 23 goals in the Premier League North, while Chelsea have 19 in the South and both sets of defenders weren’t helped by the conditions as the rain lashed down at the CFA as we faced the wrath of Storm Amy.

City fell behind on 17 minutes when Max Hudson caught Ezenwata in the box and Chelsea’s number nine converted with a composed shot down the middle. 

City pushed for an equaliser and we got our breakthrough just after the half-hour mark.

Floyd Samba did well to win the ball back on the halfway line, before he raced forward and fired the ball across the face of goal for Lamb to equalise from close-range.

Within minutes, Floyd Samba was brought down in the box and he made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Just as it looked like City were heading into the break in front, Ezenwata found an equaliser for the visitors.

But City were back ahead inside 60 seconds with an outrageous effort from Tyrone Samba from outside the box with an unstoppable strike. 

We went close to doubling our lead when Reigan Heskey’s deflected shot bundled into the path of Floyd Samba but his effort came back off the woodwork.

But City made it over the line for the win as Reiss’ side  continued our unbeaten run across all competitions.

As a result  

City now sit second in group D of the Premier League Cup behind Crystal Palace on goal difference.

Reiss verdict

Reiss detailed that his team have found themselves in losing positions more this season, but is perhaps something his youngsters are becoming familiar with overcoming and staying focused on putting a positive performance.

“Especially for a youth team and especially for us normally with a lot of possession, you have to accept a little bit that they are more on the ball maybe, it’s not easy but we did it and maybe one of the reasons why we won this game in the end,” said Reiss.

“In the last few games very often we were down. That’s not our idea, that’s not our plan A, but we are maybe comfortable in situations like this.

“We are not forcing out the game, we stay calm and we know how good we can be when we come back into a game, so of course in terms of the mentality of the team, maybe it was good that we were in situations like this in the last few weeks.

“Now we are ready for the difference in areas which can happen in a game.”

Teams 

CITY XI | Hudson, Headley (78’ Wain), Drake, Braithwaite ©, Tevenan, Miles, Dunbar-McDonald (78’ Midwood), F. Samba, Lamb, (83’ Oliver) T. Samba (83’ Holt), Heskey

Subs not used: Vickery

CHELSEA XI | Bernal, Richards, Waite, Subuloye ©, Diakite (Gordon 46’), Holland, Barbour (63’ Mcglinchey), Nicoll-Jazuli (90’ Grimwade), Ezenwata, Walsh, Kavuma-Mcqueen (72’ Eboue)

Subs not used: Sands

Up next    

We return to U18 Premier League North action with a home clash against Liverpool.

Oliver Reiss’ side come up against the Reds in a 11:00 (UK) kick-off on Saturday 18 October. Live updates will be available on X and Instagram: @ManCityAcademy.