MANCHESTER CITY EDS 1, FC PORTO B 0
City win inaugural Premier League International Cup final
Kelechi Iheanacho with the only goal after abysmal Igor Osorio backpass
Porto fight back but City defence stands firm as visitors miss several chances
City weathered a Porto storm after scoring an easy opener after just five minutes of the inaugural Premier League International Cup final in torrential rain at the Manchester Football Academy Stadium.
Igor Osorio’s abysmal backpass was gifted to Kelechi Iheanacho who rounded Ricardo Nunes in goal and embellished his achievement with an impish left foot finish.
Porto were not going to give up so easily after the early howler, however, and pressed hard for the equaliser.
Chances went begging for Frederic Maciel including a golden chance which the French-born forward sliced wide with just Angus Gunn to beat.
Gunn produced a fine save to tip a shot by Andre Silva over early in the second half while Olivier Ntcham curled one wide after a pass by substitute Brandon Barker in the 66th minute.
Luis Alves hit the woodwork while Maciel spurned another brace of chances with under 14 minutes to go by lofting the ball over Gunn and the crossbar and lifting another easy chance into Gunn’s arms.
By the end Porto looked the fitter side as the downpour finally relented but City’s exhausted defence held firm with Gunn alert to save substitute Anderson Oliveira’s rising shot while Barker’s injury time shot flew wide of the back post from an acute angle.