City best Newcastle to top PL2 standings | OneFootball

City’s Elite Development Squad produced an impressive display to beat Newcastle United 4-0 and confirm we will finish in top of Premier League 2.

Despite the assurance that one point would be enough to guarantee top spot, Ben Wilkinson’s EDS side were determined to put on a positive performance in front of the fans - and they delivered in some style.

After intense pressure from City, Toon captain Cathal Heffernan misplaced his clearance to put us ahead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Justin Oboavwoduo doubled our advantage shortly afterwards, his powerful effort leaving Adam Harrison in the Newcastle goal no chance.

Divin Mubama bagged City’s third with a fantastic chipped effort on 29 minutes, before an almost identical finish from the City No.9 in the second half completed a fantastic evening under the lights.

City's attention now turns to the PL2 playoffs, with first place in the league guaranteeing us home advantage at each stage of the knockout format.

WHAT HAPPENED

A chilly breeze swept across the Joie Stadium as we welcomed the Magpies to Manchester for the final gameweek before the playoffs.

To City’s delight, but Newcastle’s frustration, Cathal Heffernan tried to scoop clear Ashton Muir’s cross from the left but the centre-back scuffed his attempt and watched the ball float over his own ‘keeper’s head to put City ahead on six minutes.

Newcastle tried to retaliate instantly. Sean Neave was played in behind City’s back line with Spike Brits bursting off his line in the one-on-one, forcing the Magpies striker to opt for a chip, which skipper Jahmai Simpson-Pusey did brilliantly to clear off the line to maintain our advantage.

City continued to play fluid, attacking football, and a spell of possession on the 11-minute mark saw Oboavwoduo find space on the edge of the opposition’s box and he tried a curling effort to the far post. Adam Harrison was called into action with a diving save denying City a deserved second.

But Oboavowduo wouldn’t be denied again. The versatile 18-year-old called for the ball on the 18-yard line. He was instantly under pressure but Oboavwoduo was calm, rouletting his way around his man before thumping home City’s second on 15 minutes.

Mubama put us in the driving seat just before the half-hour mark with a clever chipped finish after he was played in behind by Jaden Heskey’s no-look through ball.

City’s press off the ball was unified and clinical, forcing errors from Newcastle who struggled to keep the ball outside of their half.

More entertaining football from City saw Seb Naylor play Mubama in behind. Unselfishly, he looked to return the favour to Heskey, but as Mubama played his pass into the path of our box-to-box midfielder, Newcastle 'keeper Adam Harrison made himself big to deny City a fourth in what was our final chance of the opening 45 minutes.

Once the second half got underway, Newcastle pressed City’s defensive line more, looking to force an error and pull an early goal back.

But we held our nerve and began to reassert our authority and it wasn't long until City added another.

And it came after an almost identical assist and goal to the first half, with Heskey playing Mubama in behind, who dinked the ball over Harrison again to make it four.

McAidoo rattled the crossbar with a thumping effort from distance as City continued to enjoy chances.

A slight shift in momentum saw a flurry of shots from the visitors on 70 minutes. Brits, Lakyle Samuel and Max Alleyne all made fantastic blocks on the line to maintain our clean sheet.

City remained strong, seeing out the remainder of the game to earn a 15th league win and the top spot in the PL2.

HOW WE LINED UP

Spike Brits was named as City’s goalkeeper and was shielded by a defensive four of Lakyle Samuel, Max Alleyne, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Seb Naylor, who returned to the starting line-up.

City’s engine room featured the hard-working and familiar trio of Charlie Gray, Jaden Heskey and Justin Oboavwoduo.

Divin Mubama led our attacking line, with Ryan McAidoo and Ashton Muir, in his first start in over a year following a long-term injury, providing threat out wide.

CITY XI Brits, Samuel, Alleyne Simpson-Pusey, Naylor, Gray, McAidoo (Henderson-Hall 73’), J. Heskey, Mubama, Oboavwoduo (Okeke 69’), Muir (McFarlane 69’).

UNUSED SUBS | Wint, Mfuni.

NEWCASTLE XI | Adam Harrison, Shahar, Charlton, Finneran (Bailey 60’), Heffeman, Thompson, Emerson (Powell 76’), Munda, Neave, Alfie Harrison (Turner Cooke 59’) Kuol (Donaldson 76’)

UNUSED SUBS | Holland

WHAT IT MEANS

City have secured the PL2 top spot which means our potential route to the playoff final has been confirmed.

However, with gameweek 20 games still to be played, our opponent will be finalised on Friday evening.

Keep across mancity.com and the Official Man City App for updates on our playoff fixture schedule.

UP NEXT

City have a small break before our Round of 16 clash. The fixture is to be played on the weekend of 25/26 April.

The date and kick-off time of our game will be confirmed in due course.