Manchester City U18 4, Manchester United U18 1
Manchester City U18 replaced their rivals United U18 at the top of the Under 18 Premier League North table with another comeback win at the City Football Academy.
Keke Simmonds scored either side of a Colin Rosler header as City stormed back from an early setback when Tahith Chong opened the scoring for United but Angel Gomes missed a crucial penalty which would have restored parity for the Reds before City pulled clear at the end of the first half.
Eric Garcia’s second half header made sure of another comfortable win for the Blues.
There was a quick fire start both both sides as United took an early lead after just six minutes with Nishan Burkart’s right wing cross converted by Chong who had outpaced Colin Rosler to get into a shooting position.
City hit back immediately with an equaliser by Simmonds following a cross by Henri Ogunby.
United had pace to burn up front and could have restored their led when Burkart broke clear but City’s U17 World Cup winning goalkeeper Curtis Anderson got a boot to it to clear.
Colin Rosler headed City into the lead after he converted a looping cross by Tommy Doyle after 28 minutes as City started creating chances.
Doyle’s set pieces were dangerous and he almost provided another goal for City but Eric Garcia headed over the bar minutes later.
Manchester City Academy pull away after Manchester United miss penalty
Jeremie Frimpong dragged down the lively Chong to concede a penalty as City were troubled by United’s pace but Angel Gomes blazed it over shortly before the break.
City punished the Reds’ profligacy as Simmonds doubled his tally for the game immediately afterwards.
The second half was no match for the all action first half, as the wet weather contributed to some bitty play.
The sun eventually came out, though, and Eric Garcia popped up with a close range header from a corner to extend City’s lead further.
Anderson had to make a smart save after Gomes’ shot came off Alpha Dionkou’s toe as United tried to get a late consolation.
MATCH STATS
Man City U18: Curtis Anderson, Jeremie Frimpong, Eric Garcia, Colin Rosler, Ryan Corrigan (Alpha Diounkou 76), Iker Pozo, Henri Ogunby, Tommy Doyle (Ian Carlo Poveda 66), Nabil Touaizi (Fisayo Dele-Bashiru 66), Felix Nmecha, Keke Simmonds
Man City U18 Subs: Alpha Diounkou, Nathan Broome, Rowan McDonald, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ian Carlo Poveda
Booked: Rosler 63
Goals: Simmonds 8, 40; Rosler 28; Garcia 73
Man Utd U18: Alex Fojticek, Ethan Laird, Brandon Williams, Jake Barratt (George Tanner 46), Lee O’Connor, James Garner, Arnau Puigmal (Millen Baars 65), Aiden Barlow, Nishan Burkhart, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong (Dylan Levitt 65),
Man Utd U18 Subs: George Tanner, Jacob Carney, Dylan Levitt, Millen Baars, Dmani Mellor
Booked: Gomes 63
Goal: Chong 6
Missed Penalty: Gomes 39