An early Luke Bolton strike and a hat-trick from skipper Lukas Nmecha sealed the three points against the Rams, marking the forward’s second hat-trick over Derby this season.
What happened
Simon Davies’ side were in complete control throughout the first half, with Bolton taking City into the lead after just three minutes.
Felix Nmecha offloaded the ball onto Bolton at the half-way line and the striker carried it all the way to the box before confidently firing his effort into the corner of Jonathan Mitchell’s net.
Lukas Nmecha was close to sealing his first goal 15 minutes in when his brother, Felix, pinpointed the EDS skipper with his superb cross but Lukas headed inches wide of Mitchell’s far post.
The captain began his hat-trick endeavour in the 41st minute.
An incredible ball from Matt Smith expertly arrived at Lukas Nmecha’s feet, and the City captain casually slid the ball into the net without fuss.
Nmecha seemed remarkably calm despite doubling City’s lead, and the 19-year-old added another just moments later in injury time of the first period. Ian Poveda whipped around the Derby defence down the right-hand side and offloaded the ball to his captain - Nmecha then cleverly flicked the ball with his heel to make it 3-0 at Pride Park before the break.
The hat-trick was completed in the 54th minute.
Substitution Javairo Dilrosun did fantastically well to drive forward and his ball was able to release Lukas to clinch his third goal of the evening. Again, a muted celebration from Nmecha displayed his calmness which may have filtered down from regular training time with the City first team.
In the second period the home side fought back, but the Blues continued to enjoy a majority of the position.
City’s excellent pressure and build-up meant that Aro Muric was rarely called upon, and even in the ninth minute of the game - when Jayden Mitchel-Lawson struck on target – the ‘keeper caught the effort comfortably.
How we lined up
Muric was in goal with a back four of Demeaco Duhaney, Joel Latibeaudiere, Tosin Adarabioyo and Tyreke Wilson.
Smith shielded the defence alongside Tom Dele-Bashiru and Felix Nmecha in midfield.
Bolton and Ian Poveda flanked Lukas Nmecha up front.
What it means
City’s win sees us leap frog Derby County and Chelsea in the Premier League 2 table to seventh place in the table.
Up next
Next, the City Under-19s will be in action on Wednesday 14 March when City welcome Liverpool to the Academy Stadium in the quarter-finals of the Uefa Youth League.
