Manchester City U18 3, Fulham U18 1 (U18 National Final)
Manchester City’s Under 18 team won the U18 National title after beating a spirited Fulham side at the City Football Academy.
Two goals in the first eight minutes by Sam Edozie and Carlos Borges put City on the front foot before Oscar Bobb gave Fulham a mountain to climb before half time in the U18 National Final.
Adrion Pajaziti reduced the deficit from the penalty spot but City were comfortable winners after holding off spirited second half pressure by Fulham after the Winners of the North and South groups contested a lively final at the City Football Academy.
City’s U18 coach Carlos Vicens only took charge of the U18s after replacing Gareth Taylor as Head Coach when Taylor left to coach City’s Women’s team and he has joined Enzo Maresca (EDS U23) and Pep Guardiola in delivering all the men’s football titles to the City this term.
Edozie had opened the scoring within three minutes after tucking home Juan Larios’ cut back from the left.
Borges had doubled that lad after 8 minutes with a close range finish after getting on the end of a cross from the right by Edozie.
Fulham struggled to get down City’s flanks with both fullbacks defending solidly and cutting out chances while Romeo Lavia shielded the City back four very effectively – the forward thinking Larios also put in some good defensive tackles after the physical Cottagers tried to target his side.
Edozie was denied a penalty after going down under a challenge from Idris Odutayo after 15 minutes while Larios swept the ball wide 4 minutes later as City started to put some expansive moves together.
Ollie O’Neill’s low shot through a crowd was Fulham’s best chance of the first half after the visitors briefly moved the ball quicker in City’s final third but Ciaran Slicker got down to save it late in the first half.
Micah Hamilton skipped past 3 defenders but skied an attempted curler while Darko Gyabi tried a long range shot of his own which ended up drifting wide.
But City scored their third o the stroke of half time when Oscar Bobb robbed substitute Luke Harris, and exchanged passes with Borges before firing past Alex Borto in the Fulham goal.
Kwaku Oduroh replaced Jadel Katongo at half time.
Fulham captain Adrion Pajaziti sent Slicker the wrong way after the Cottagers won a spot kick when Harris was fouled early in the second half.
Lavia had a shot blocked and Borges saw his follow-up deflected wide as City looked to hit back immediately while City’s defence looked unusually vulnerable with several Fulham balls into the box failing to find a visiting player to take the shot.
City found it difficult to live with Fulham as they upped a gear in the second half, showing why they had won the southern title as they applied pressure but couldn’t convert their chances.
Edozie had City’s best chance of the second half, forcing a low save from Borto after Gyabi had put him through with 11 minutes to go while Harris missed a great chance for a header as Fulham sent the ball into the City half again.
Fulham made two late changes, with Imani Lanquedoc and Harvey Araujo coming on for Stefan Parkes and Matt Dibley-Dias but they couldn’t find another goal while Borges almost hit his second of the match with a rising effort in injury time that was tipped over by Borto.
GOALS – Manchester City U18 3, Fulham U18 1 (U18 National Final)
Man City U18 1, Fulham U18 0: 3. Sam Edozie’s clinical finish put City into an early lead after Juan Larios’ cutback from the left.
Man City U18 2, Fulham U18 0: 8. Carlos Borges with a close range finish after a cross from the right from Sam Edozie.
Man City U18 3, Fulham U18 0: 45+3. Oscar Bobb robbed Luke Harris and exchanged passes with Carlos Borges before firing past Alex Borto.
Man City U18 3, Fulham U18 1: 49. Adrion Pajaziti sent Cieran Slicker the wrong way from the penalty spot after Luke Harris had been fouled to give away the spot kick.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City U18 3, Fulham U18 1 (U18 National Final)
Man City U18: Ciaran Slicker, Shea Charles, Jadel Katongo (Kwaku Oduroh 46), Callum Doyle, Juan Larios, Romeo Lavia (C), Oscar Bobb, Darko Gyabi, Sam Edozie, Micah Hamilton, Carlos Borges
Man City U18 Subs not used: Kian Breckin, Josh Mcnamaka, Josh Adam
Booking: Doyle 24 (foul on Jay Stansfield)
Goals: Edozie 3; Borges 8; Bobb 45+3
Fulham U18: Alex Borto, Stefan Parkes (Harvey Araujo 78), Ibane Bowat, Idris Odutayo, Ollie O’Neill, Matt Dibley-Dias (Imani Lanquedoc 82), Mika Biereth, Adrion Pajaziti (C), Kieron Bowie (Luke Harris 42), Luci D’Auria-Henry, Jay Stansfield
Fulham U18 Subs not used: Michael Olakigbe, Olly Sanderson
Goal: Pajaziti 49 pen
Referee: Jordan Crossley