Goals galore, some outstanding individual performances and no end of thrilling, dramatic matches – it has been a memorable opening to the 2018/19 campaign for a youthful City squad.
The Blues have also been challenged with injuries biting hard into the squad’s resources and City regularly fielding players several years younger than their counterparts.
With almost a third of the season now behind us and the league on a brief hiatus during the current international window, mancity.com runs the rule over how Paul Harsley’s young side have shaped up so far…
August:
The campaign could not have begun in more dramatic fashion for the EDS youngsters, with our opening game at home to reigning champions Arsenal producing a 11-goal classic.
Exciting Spanish striker Nabil Touaizi struck a stunning hat-trick as City secured an incredible 6-5 victory over the Gunners at the Academy Stadium.
Remarkably, just a week later Harsley’s side served up a virtual carbon copy display as they registered a 6-4 triumph away at West Ham, with Touaizi again leading the way with his second successive hat-trick.
Benjamin Garre also weighed in with a brace in a game that, remarkably, also saw four goals netted by both teams in injury time.
August continued with City youngsters then demonstrating the steely side of their collective nature as the Blues fought out a battling 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool in a game played at the Etihad Stadium, Rabbi Matondo’s leveller ensuring City remained top of the table.
The month concluded on a disappointing note however as a youthful, inexperienced City side hit hard by injuries suffered a tough evening on the south coast, as Brighton ran out 5-0 winners.
September:
After a fortnight’s break for the first international window of the season, City were looking to bounce back with a vengeance on our return to PL2 action away at Tottenham.
However, despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and territory and carving out a host of chances, it proved to be another night of frustration as Spurs registered a 2-0 victory.
To their credit, Harsley’s players then responded in the best possible fashion by bouncing back to winning ways with a vengeance on our return to action at the Academy Stadium against a vastly more experienced Derby County side.
City raced into a 3-0 lead through fine goals from Felix Nmecha and Lorenzo Gonzalez, who were both returning to action, and Benjamin Garre.
And though the Rams staged a late fightback, scoring twice within 10 minutes to set up a nervy finale, City deservedly secured the three points.
Seven days later and buoyed by a midweek Checkatrade Trophy triumph at Crewe, the EDS squad rounded off the second month of league action in emphatic style, securing a superb 4-1 victory away at Swansea.
Rabbi Matondo continued his excellent individual form, claiming a hat-trick with Jeremie Frimpong also on the scoresheet in a victory that – for 48 hours at least – moved City back into top spot.
Now the Blues will be seeking to kick-on again when we return to action at home to Chelsea at the Academy Stadium on Saturday, October 20.
The Blues currently lie in third place in the table on 13 points from seven – one behind leaders Everton and Arsenal – with all three sides having won four games.
