Under-23s slip up at City

Our Under-23s’ recent good run of form was dented as we conceded a goal in each half to go down 2-0 at Manchester City in the Premier League 2 on Sunday lunchtime.

Always chasing the game after Ben Knight’s early opener, we went close on a couple of occasions, but our fate was sealed when Lewis Fiorini bagged City’s second with 10 minutes to go.

Our regular centre-back pairing of Luis Binks and Malachi Fagan-Walcott – impressive this season in various different age brackets – was broken up for the match at City’s Academy training ground following the latter’s dismissal in last week’s 4-0 home win over Liverpool and consequent suspension. In his place was Japhet Tanganga, making his second appearance of the season at this level, having enjoyed the chance to work with our first team for much of the campaign.

Unfortunately, we fell behind after only six minutes as Knight curled into the top corner, despite our high press. City were lively but we weren’t without our opportunities, Tariq Hinds dragging a shot wide of the post. Fiorini went close twice for the home side before a big chance for us arrived in the run-up to half-time. Striker Rodel Richards pounced after a mistake at the back and after spinning and getting a shot away from eight yards out, City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu saved with his leg.

Josh Oluwayemi produced a great stop to deny Keyendrah Simmonds after he tried a shot from inside the six-yard box for City, while the same player saw another effort deflected behind and substitute Taylor Harwood-Bellis hit the post from distance, but the second goal arrived on the 80-minute mark to effectively seal the points for the hosts, Fiorini going through on goal before slotting the ball under Oluwayemi.

Key moment

Richards saw a big chance slip away shortly before half-time when he swivelled in the box but saw his attempt kept out well by goalkeeper Bazunu. City had more attempts at goal than us over the course of the game but, had we gone in level at the break, we perhaps could have taken something from the match.

Match data

Goals: Manchester City – Knight 6, Fiorini 80.

Yellow cards: Manchester City – Harwood-Bellis 74; Spurs – Tanganga 86.

Referee: Lewis Smith.

Venue: Manchester City Academy training ground.

Weather: Cloudy, five degrees.