It capped a fine week’s work on the road for the City youngsters following our Checkatrade Trophy triumph away at Barnsley in midweek.
And it was no less than Paul Harsley’s side merited as they maintained their excellent form of late with a solid, professional performance in every department.
What happened
After torrential overnight rain the game was switched from Loughborough to Derby’s Moore Park training ground.
It was a tough test for City against a Derby side which had recorded six straight wins since losing at the Academy Stadium in September to top the Premier League 2 table.
But the young Blues, backed by a stiff breeze in the first half, soon assumed control with Ian Poveda and Rabbi Matondo causing constant problems for the hosts.
Just before the half hour, a superb through-ball from Benjamin Garre opened up the Derby defence but Matondo sent his flick wide of the target.
City had a strong shout turned down for a 32nd minute penalty when Matondo appeared to be bundled over in the box and then a vicious in-swinging corner from Felxi Nmecha was almost carried over the line by the wind.
If anything City’s dominance increased after the break.
A sublime piece of Poveda skill on 52 minutes saw Tom Dele-Bashiru blaze a shot wide before a fine cross by Alpha Diounkou met the unmarked Poveda but he couldn’t find the target.
However on 64 minutes he more than made amends. Dele-Bashiru’s slide-rule pass found Matondo free on the right and from his pin-point centre Poveda made no mistake.
Matondo could have made the game save for City who then had to withstand a nervy finale with eight minutes of time added on.
Keeper Tom Scott produced fine saves to deny a George Thorne free-kick and Sven Karic shot and City saw out time to claim another excellent win on the road.
How we lined up
Tom Scott was in goal shielded by a back four of Alpha Diounkou, Colin Rosler, Cameron Humphreys and Nathanael Ogbeta.
Claudio Gomes, Tom Dele-Bashiru and Felix Nmecha were in midfield while Benamin Garre and Rabbi Matondo provided the width and Poveda the strike focus.
What it means
A sixth league win of the season moves City up into fourth place in the table just three points behind the leaders.
What’s next
The young Blues wrap up our UEFA Youth League group campaign at home to Hoffenheim on Wednesday afternoon at the Academy Stadium. Kick-off 3pm.
