U21s Report: Manchester City 3-0 Leeds United | OneFootball

Premier League 2

Manchester City U21 3 (McFarlane 17’; Warhurst 52’, 72’)

Leeds United U21 0

Man City: Wint (GK), Nfonkeu (Carrington 77’), Parker, Noble, McFarlane, Dada-Mascoll (Fapetu 61’), Sangaré, Gray (C) (Midwood 77’), Warhurst, Nypan (Thomas 53’), Muir. Subs not used: Hudson (GK), Thomas.

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Lane, Lienou, Pickles, Howard, Matykiewicz, McDonald (Mills 14’), Chadwick, Chambers (Wilson 76’), Cresswell (C), Bird. Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Pirie, Whitehead.

Venue: Joie Stadium

Referee: Andrew Miller

Booked: Gray, Parker (Man City) Chadwick, Chambers (Leeds)

Leeds United Under-21s fell to a defeat against a strong Manchester City Under-21s side in their latest Premier League 2 fixture.

Having made three changes to the side that faced Arsenal last time out, Scott Gardner’s team got underway in the pouring Mancunian rain enjoying a fair share of possession as they looked to create the early inroads.

After an attritional start to the encounter, the Whites were forced into an early change when Callum Mills replaced the injured Josh McDonald on the left flank.

The hosts took the lead through defender Christian McFarlane who latched onto an incisive through ball and drilled a low strike beyond Illan Meslier and into the far corner.

Skipper Alfie Cresswell then had to be alert to prevent Sverre Nypan from having a tap in, crucially hacking Mahamadou Sangaré’s low cross away from danger.

It was Jacob Howard’s turn next to deny the lively Sangaré, blocking the attacker’s close-range strike before United immediately launched a quick counter of their own.

Chambers spearheaded the move down the right, crossing for the onrushing Ollie Pickles at the near post who flashed a first-time effort agonisingly beyond the upright.

Leeds were threatening an equaliser and excellent reading of play from Coban Bird allowed the full-back to intercept a loose Nypan pass out from the back though the ball raced through on the slick surface all the way to Jack Wint.

From a corner kick, United then went desperately close to levelling proceedings. Rhys Chadwick’s in-swinging delivery somehow evaded everyone in the middle and cannoned off the woodwork before Cresswell’s follow up was charged down by a sky blue shirt.

The hosts had opportunities to extend their lead in additional time through Ashton Muir and McFarlane once more however the Whites’ defence held firm heading into the break.

HALF TIME: Manchester City U21 1-0 Leeds United U21

The rain was finally starting to relent as the second period got underway, with both sides unchanged at the interval.

An early opportunity arrived for Gardner’s side after excellent play down the left from Mills to fizz a dangerous delivery across the face of goal.

Freddie Lane did brilliantly to hook the ball back to Chambers who, on the turn, saw a deflected strike ricochet over the crossbar.

A deft flick over the top then released Cresswell whose fierce volley forced a fine reaction save from Wint to preserve his team’s lead.

And within moments that would prove vital for City when, down the other end, Matty Warhurst latched onto a Brooklyn Nfonkeu cross and doubled the advantage.

With United piling bodies forward in search of a route back into the clash, gaps were beginning to be exploited by the opposition on the break. Sangaré curled a powerful effort over after a swift move led by substitute Rhys Thomas.

Warhurst added a third with just under 20 minutes of normal time remaining, finishing into the far corner with a low strike.

Not to be dispirited by the scoreline, Leeds were still trying to play their football and almost reduced the deficit when Chadwick’s powerful drive from the edge of the area glanced off the outside of the post with Wint beaten all ends up in the City goal.

Entering the closing stages, Bird forced the Sky Blues’ stopper into an important intervention, diving to his left to parry the full-back’s left-footed attempt in the final meaningful action of the encounter.

Attentions now turn to the visit of Manchester United next weekend at the LNER Community Stadium for Gardner’s youthful team.

FULL TIME: Manchester City U21 3-0 Leeds United U21