What happened...
Manchester City racked up their 12th win of the Premier League 2 season as goals from Thierry Ambrose, Rodney Kongolo, Lukas Nmecha and a late own goal saw them come from behind to beat Derby County.
City lined up in their alternative option of 3-2-4-1 and after a brief early scare, they soon settled into their controlled passing rhythm.
Brahim Diaz pulled the strings for City throughout the first half, linking up with Jadon Sancho and Ambrose well several times before being denied by last ditch defending.
City were left vulnerable when they lost possession however and Emil Jakobsen punished them on the half hour mark with a slide rule finish under Daniel Grimshaw.
The Blues came out for the second half in a determined mood as Sancho and substitute Nmecha both forced Kelle Roos in to diving saves before Ambrose’s goal bound effort was headed clear on the line.
It seemed only a matter of time before City’s equaliser came and fans were only kept waiting for ten minutes. Ambrose was the quickest to react after Roos spilled a dangerous free-kick and City were back on level terms.
That increased urgency bore more fruit just moments later as Kongolo was set through on goal. The Dutch youth international kept his cool and chipped over the advancing Roos.
Nmecha sealed the points with 20 minutes to go, angling Sancho’s pass inside the far right post with a first time effort. The gloss came in the final minute of the 90 as Sancho’s cross was turned in to his own net by Calum Macdonald.
View highlights of the recent draw at Arsenal below...
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What it means...
The victory takes City to within two points of leaders Everton with just two matches left to play.
City’s Premier League 2 side will travel to Liverpool on Sunday 23 April. Head to the ticket office for more information on how you can support our future at upcoming home matches.
Key moment...
Lukas Nmecha and Sadou Diallo came on at half-time and with it was a change of shape. City’s 4-3-3 paid dividends as the Blues took control of the match from the restart.
Man of the match...
Rodney Kongolo - City’s captain and lungs at the heart of midfield dragged his team through much of the first half before being able to express himself in the second half.
His finish for City’s crucial second goal was one that would have made the game’s most prolific marksmen proud.
How they lined up...
Daniel Grimshaw was in City’s goal.
Cameron Humphreys, Tosin Adarabioyo and Jacob Davenport were the three-man defence protecting Grimshaw’s goal.
Captain Rodney Kongolo sat at the base of the midfield alongside Matt Smith. Paolo Fernandes and Brahim Diaz played further ahead while Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and Jadon Sancho flanked central striker Thierry Ambrose.
