City’s EDS side suffered a frustrating night on the road at Tottenham Hotspur as they slipped to a Premier League 2 defeat.
First half goals from Shayon Harrison and Paris Maghoma condemned the Blues to their second loss of the 2018/19 season.
How we lined up
Paul Harsley made six changes to the side which lost at Brighton in last PL2 clash before the international break
Daniel Grimshaw was back in goal, shielded by a back three of Colin Rosler, Cameron Humphreys who skippered the team and Richard Dionkou. Claudio Gomes, Adrian Bernabe, Benjamin Garre, Nathanael Ogbeta, Rabbi Matondo and Tom Dele-Bashiru all featured in midfield with Nabil Touaizi deployed up-front.
What happened
City dominated both the ball and territory, creating numerous opportunities but Paul Harsley’s young charges were made to pay for not taking their opportunities at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium.
The Blues enjoyed 63 per cent possession, had 10 shots on target and 20 in total compared to Spurs’ tally of 5 and 9 respectively and also enjoyed an 11-2 advantage in corners.
But it was Tottenham who made the most of their chances, displaying a ruthless cutting edge in front of goal.
On a crisp, bright evening Spurs made the early inroads and saw a third minute penalty appeal waved away after Maghoma latched onto a neat back-heel from Harrison and went to ground in the box.
City then settled into their rhythm and carried the game to their hosts only to fall behind on 21 minutes.
Maghoma threaded a low ball through the centre and Harrison quickly latched onto the pass, before sliding the ball beyond keeper Daniel Grimshaw.
City almost made an immediate response only for Spurs’ American goalkeeper Brandon Austin to produce a remarkable save, diving low to his left to claw away Nabil Touaizi’s effort after the City striker had raced clear.
Despite a solid spell of City pressure, we were unable to force a breakthrough and on 29 minutes the hosts struck once again.
Oliver Skipp’s slide-rule pass found Maghoma in space and he then rounded Grimshaw before finding the target from the right angle.
The pattern of play continued after the break with City again dominating both possession and territory and forcing more fine saves from home keeper Austin.
But Spurs also continued to carry a threat themselves with Harrison hitting the bar from Brown’s cross.
And despite the Blues’ best efforts, those two first-half Spurs’ strikes ultimately proved decisive.
Up next
City’s focus now switches to the UEFA Youth League with the Blues’ opening group stage game against Lyon taking place at the Academy Stadium on Wednesday September 19, kick-off 1pm.
