What happened...
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts‘ hat-trick helped Manchester City record their first win in Group C of the Premier League Cup with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Derby County.
Joe Hardy‘s early goal and Brahim Diaz‘s curler put the gloss on the victory for Simon Davies’ dominant side before a late consolation for the hosts.
Having initially struggled to break down a deep defence, City adopted a different ploy on 26 minutes as Tosin Adarabioyo and Ian Lawlor passed between them in order to bring Derby forward.
It worked as they broke quickly and Buckley-Ricketts set up Hardy for a typically clinical finish from 18 yards.
View highlights of the recent Premier League 2 victory over Reading below:
City doubled their lead ten minutes later as the dominance of possession created space for Will Patching to pick out a delicious lofted pass for Buckley-Ricketts. City’s winger took the ball in his stride and chipped Derby goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell.
Buckley-Ricketts was released again moments into the second half and the left winger cut in on to his favoured right foot and curled an unstoppable effort inside the far post.
Diaz made it four soon after as he shifted the ball from his left to his right and curled in to the top corner from 25 yards.
Buckley-Ricketts guaranteed the match ball with a drilled effort from the corner of the box that beat Mitchell for pace.
Derby did grab a consolation goal through striker Charles Vernam but City had long since guaranteed the three points.
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What it means...
Manchester City have three points after two matches in their Premier League Cup group.
City’s next Premier League Cup match is away at Colchester United on the 19 January. Visit the ticket office for information on how you can support our future at upcoming home fixtures.
Key moment...
Although City had manoeuvred their opponents well in the opening period, they rarely looked like breaking them down.
Once Derby had been dragged out of position, a short burst from Paolo Fernandes opened up the pitch for the Blues and Joe Hardy opened the scoring.
Man of the match...
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts – City’s winger provided the Blues with the penetration necessary to get behind a defence sat very close to its own goal and his three goals made the major difference.
Playing on the left, Buckley-Ricketts laid the first on for Hardy before three clinical finishes took the match away from City’s opponents.
How they lined up...
Goalkeeper Ian Lawlor made his first start of the season.
Captain James Horsfield, Cameron Humphreys, Tosin Adarabioyo and Angelino were the defence protecting Lawlor’s goal.
Will Patching sat at the base of the midfield behind Paolo Fernandes and Brahim Diaz while Luke Bolton and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts flanked central striker Joe Hardy.
Substitutes: Haug, Rosler, Duhaney, Smith, Dele-Bashiru
Confused about the format and rules of the Premier League Cup? Here’s a handy guide to explain all the competitions our youngsters will be taking part in this season.
