McAtee winner sends EDS top of PL2

Manchester City F.C.

·24 January 2022

McAtee winner sends EDS top of PL2

Manchester City's Elite Development Squad climbed to the top of the Premier League 2 table thanks to a 1-0 away win over Chelsea.

James McAtee gave City the lead on the hour-mark, before some great saves from Cieran Slicker secured Brian Barry-Murphy's side the three points and send us above West Ham in the table.

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WHAT HAPPENED

The first half featured very few chances for either side, but City were mostly in control of proceedings at the Cherries Red Record Stadium.

Kayky worked some space on the edge of the box in the sixth minute and fired in a fierce cross only for it to be cut out by Sharman-Lowe, and a deflection denied Josh Wilson-Esbrand, whose right footed shot was deflected away before it could trouble the Chelsea keeper.

The hosts looked dangerous on the counter attack, and could've taken the lead when Soonsup-Bell took down a long ball, beating our offside trap only to shoot wide and high as Slicker was kept relatively quiet in the City goal.

McAtee, Kayky and Oscar Bobb continued to try and craft chances out for City up the other end of the pitch, but were unable to create many clear-cut opportunities, with Chelsea's defence standing strong to ensure we went into the half-time break goal-less.

Following the break, we had a slice of luck when Soonsup-Bell's header came off the post to deny Chelsea, before half-time substitute Sammy Robinson produced a well-timed challenge to prevent a counter-attack from the hosts.

But finally City found the breakthrough on the hour mark as, from a corner, the ball found its way to McAtee inside the area, taking a touch before sliding the ball under the keeper from a tight angle to give us a well-deserved lead.

However, just as we looked in control to see out the victory, Slicker was called into action, denying Charlie Webster from close range in the 70th minute, before producing a fingertip save to deny Wareham from inside the area.

The City keeper had to produce another vital block in the last ten minutes as Wareham tried to hook the ball home from a corner but Slicker was there, making himself big to block from point blank range.

City nearly added a second late on as Egan-Riley's mishit cross bounced off the crossbar with the Chelsea keeper back-pedalling, but City were able to hold on to secure a vital three points.

HOW WE LINED UP

Barry-Murphy elected Slicker to play in between the sticks for City and he was guarded by a four-man defence consisting of CJ Egan-Riley, Finley Burns, Luke Mbete and Wilson-Esbrand.

Romeo Lavia provided defensive cover in midfield alongside Kian Breckin, who retained his spot following his EDS debut against Manchester United.

McAtee played in the No10 role, flanked by Kayky and Carlos Borges whilst Oscar Bobb was named up front.

WHAT IT MEANS

Our win over Chelsea took us to the top of the Premier League 2 table, climbing to a one point advantage over West Ham following their earlier defeat to Leicester, although the Hammers still have a game in hand over us.