MANCHESTER CITY U18 3, DERBY COUNTY U18 1
- Jayden Bogle stuns lax Man City with early goal for Derby County
- Lorenzo Jose Gonzalez strikes twice to put City in front
- Phil Foden extends the lead before the break
- Foden forces save from Josh Barnes in the second period
A double strike by Lorenzo Jose Gonzalez and a goal by Phil Foden ensured that Manchester City’s U18 side remained unbeaten this season but they needed to come from behind to win against Derby County U18 and to top the U18 league.
Although City had early possession of the ball, sloppy defending allowed the visitors to take an early lead when Jayden Mitchell Lawson’s cross from the left was bundled in from close range by Jayden Bogle after City failed to clear their lines.
Jadon Sancho carved out a couple of early half chances while Matt Smith’s deft touch left Swiss striker Lorenzo Jose Gonzalez too much to do early on.
It wasn’t long before the mistakes were cut out and City were back in business, however, and Gonzalez had a couple of tap-ins laid on by Jadon Sancho and Iker Pozo La Rosa to wrest the lead from the visitors.
Ian Carlo Poveda-Ocampo’s direct running and fearless crossing had caused Derby increasing problems down City’s right flank during the first half, but his shooting had left something to be desired as he got up time and again from crunching Derby tackles and came back for more.
Phil Foden capitalised on panic in the Derby area after yet another tenacious run by Poveda-Ocampo just before the break.
Colin Rosler’s 55th minute enticing cross was just too far in front of two of City’s forwards as Derby conceded possession in the second half.
Poveda-Ocampo had shown plenty of skill with a disappointing end product in the first half, and showed there’s still work to do when he came inside from the right flank and sent a shot wide of the post.
Phil Foden was denied by Josh Barnes in the Derby goal as City pressed for a fourth goal while Derby were reduced to half chances with their best effort coming from a Brandon Hitchman free kick which went wide with 15 minutes to go.
Cameron Cresswell’s shot was blocked as Derby tried to reduce the deficit but Joe Hardy had his late City goal disallowed after a foul on Jordan Mills.
And Joe Hardy’s cross was laid off by Foden for a shot by Matt Smith which was saved by Barnes as City comfortably saw the game out.