- TJ
Cole Palmer thunderbolt and another James McAtee hat-trick – Week in the Academy 2
James McAtee was the man of the moment once more this week as he guided the EDS side to a pair of impressive victories. The first win came in the Papa John’s EFL Trophy against League 2 opposition Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night. Saturday afternoon then saw the U23s take home the derby crown in a 4-2 triumph over Manchester United. City’s U18s had a week off after their strong start to the season.
Scunthorpe United 0-3 Manchester City U21
City’s young blues faced their first taste of senior opposition last week, playing their opening game of the EFL Trophy group stages against Scunthorpe United. There was a place on the bench for 16-year-old Rico Lewis, who has been very impressive so far playing with the U18s.
City got off to a great start when Cole Palmer opened the scoring in the 6th minute of the game. In his quite languid style, he shifted the ball onto his left foot from the wing before unleashing a thunderbolt from outside the area right into the top corner. It was a goal that fans of Cole Palmer have become used to seeing for quite some time now.
City continued to dominate in the early stages and James McAtee came close to doubling the lead, but his curling effort was saved by Irons keeper Tom Collins. Scunthorpe then nearly equalised in the 16th minute when left-back O’Malley got forward, but he flashed his half volley wide of the post.
3 minutes later Scunthorpe did have the ball in the back of the net, but thankfully the goal was ruled out for an offside. Barry-Murphy’s side responded brilliantly to this scare in the 24th minute with a goal of their own, this time Cole Palmer turning provider for Luke Bolton. Tai Sodje dropped deep to pick up the ball and he fizzed a pass into Palmer. The 19-year-old midfielder trapped the ball in between two players and played a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Bolton, who ran on and dispatched his shot into the roof of the net.
Just before half time Palmer nearly caught the Scunthorpe goalkeeper off guard as he attempted a quick long-range free-kick, but the shot-stopper was alert to the danger. The first half was very one-sided, City ended the half with 76% possession and 12 shots and lead by 2 goals.
Scunthorpe started the second half better; a cross was flashed across the area but evaded the head of everyone and resulted in nothing.
There was much less action in this half, a total of only 8 shots compared to 16 from the first 45. Manchester City found their third goal of the night in the 84th minute of the game. Scunthorpe’s defenders were slow on the ball and Romeo Lavia pounced to win the ball high. He laid it off for Cole Palmer who struck from distance. His shot was saved but McAtee followed in the rebound to finish off the game.
The next group stage game for City’s Under 21s is against Doncaster Rovers on the 21st of September.
Manchester United U23s 2-4 Manchester City EDS
Once again it didn’t take long for City to get started. 7 minutes in and United were sloppy on the ball, relentless pressing from Larios and Oscar Bobb gave City possession of the ball high up. A delicate pass from Bobb played McAtee in one on one and he slid the ball neatly into the bottom corner, before wheeling away to pull off his trademark backflip celebration.
United responded well, left-back Alvaro Fernandez picked up the ball on the halfway line. He drove forward unchallenged and fired a right-footed strike into the top left-hand corner. A shot too powerful for Cieran Slicker to prevent reaching the back of the net.
On the hour mark, James McAtee got his and City’s second. Sammy Robinson played a delightful cross-field pass which McAtee expertly controlled before unleashing a shot on the half volley that was too strong for Kovar in the united net to stop.
Just after the goal, Brian Barry-Murphy substituted out Luke Mbete and Josh Wilson-Esbrand as they both continue their recovery back to full fitness after long term injuries. Tai Sodje and Finley Burns took their place.
It wasn’t long before James McAtee completed his second hat-trick in as many Premier League 2 games with a marvellous effort into the top corner. Oscar Bobb danced into the area from the right wing and laid the ball off to McAtee on the edge of the box. He set himself up with one-touch, shifted the ball to the left and sent a curling effort into the top corner. 3 goals against your former club isn’t a bad achievement, is it?
United responded immediately, a low cross into the box fell to the unmarked Hoogewerf and his shot was unsavable for Slicker.
In typical Manchester Derby fashion, the match couldn’t finish without a bit of passion on display. A needless push from Bjorn Hardley on Kwaku Odoruh in the aftermath of the United goal sparked a pushing match on the centre circle. The two most experienced blues on the day, McAtee and CJ Egan-Riley, both picked up bookings for protecting their younger teammates.
After the handbags had concluded, the match was settled when James McAtee turned provider for Tai Sodje. McAtee played one of his trademark, David Silva esque, through balls down the left channel into the path of Sodje who finished with a left-footed strike through the keeper’s legs.
The Red’s earlier goal scorer, Alvaro Fernandez, got himself a silly second yellow as he got caught on the wrong side of the impressive Oscar Bobb.
After a 4-2 result following the Under-18s 3-0 win earlier in the season, I guess it’s easy to tell which colour Manchester truly is.
ELSEWHERE
Morgan Rogers has extended his City contract until 2024 and will now join Bournemouth on a season-long loan. Bournemouth reportedly have the option to make the move permanent for a fee of £9m which could rise to £12m
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Liam Delap will stay at the club this season despite a host of Championship clubs expressing an interest in signing Delap on loan for the season. Guardiola had this to say about the young striker in his post-match press conference last week: “He’s so important for the future. At the end of last season, I say we need to extend the contract. I found out we’d done it in the media.”
Joe Hodge has completed a transfer to Wolves on a 3-year deal. He was offered the chance to sign a new contract at City but opted to take his career elsewhere. Joe and his family extended a massive thank you to the club for providing a football and academic education which was second to none. We wish Hodge the very best for his future in football.
A report from Simon Jones at Mail Sport revealed that despite a number of requests from various English sides including Brentford and Swansea, and several Eredivisie sides, City want James McAtee to stay with the first-team setup.
Footyinsider247 report that Wolves are set to sign City midfielder Harvey Griffiths (17) on a permanent deal, after reaching a full agreement over a £500,000 transfer.
Written by: @TJ9320
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