City's EDS claim dramatic late draw at Fulham

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Manchester City F.C.

·7 avril 2025

City's EDS claim dramatic late draw at Fulham

City’s Elite Development Squad struck deep in injury time to claim a vital 1-1 draw in a key top-of-the-table Premier League 2 clash at Fulham.

After a frustrating first half, which saw City register the only shot on target, the second half proved to be a similar affair.

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But, just as in our UEFA Youth League defeat to AZ Alkmaar last week, Fulham took a 90th minute lead with their first shot on target with Callum Osmand nodding home at the near post.

In a dramatic late twist however, Ben Wilkinson's side hit back to claim a crucial 96th minute equaliser.

Divin Mubama forced home a priceless late leveller, meaning City returned to Manchester with a deserved point.

The draw left City still leading the PL2 standings by two points, meaning both sides will fight it out to claim top spot in the final game of the regular season ahead of the knockout stage of the competition.

WHAT HAPPENED

A sunny Motspur Park welcomed two teams ready to battle for the PL2 summit.

But there was perhaps an air of nerves as the game began with the opening 10 minutes seeing neither shot stopper tested.

Fulham’s Callum Osmond then had the first shot of the game, placing his effort just wide of the left post, though had he had been successful, it would have been overruled for offside with City’s line holding strong.

A few moments later City’s first chance of the match came in the form of a Charlie Gray free-kick after Michael Okeke was fouled on the edge of the box. But the holding midfielder put too much power on the curling strike which flew over the crossbar.

Gray then registered our first shot on target after City picked up possession in Fulham’s half. He drove forward and as space opened up for him on the edge of the area, he opted to shoot but Fulham 'keeper Michael Allen got down quick to deny the opener.

Divin Mubama was quick to pounce on the shot which Allen spilled slightly but the ‘keeper recovered well to deny City’s striker a tap-in on 20 minutes.

For five minutes near the 30-minute mark, Fulham had City pinned back, holding possession which Wilkinson's side did well to contain.

The Fulham possession resulted in a commanding run inside by Martial Godo but the winger's ball fizzed just wide of the top right corner.

An opportunity went to waste for the hosts in the final five minutes after no-one was able to get on the end of Terrell Works’ dangerous cross from the byline.

A chill filled the air in the second half after the sun set at the back of Fulham’s training centre during the break.

But that didn't stop City from being quick out of the gate as we looked to break the deadlock.

On 51 minutes, quick link-up play on the left between Stephen Mfuni and Christian McFarlane saw the latter break to the byline and drill a low cross back towards the edge of the box.

Lakyle Samuel composed himself as he ran onto the ball and fired an effort towards the Fulham goal but Samuel Asmissah put his body on the line successfully to block the shot.

Gray curled another free-kick just over the bar as chances came few and far between for both sides.

As we approached the final 10 minutes, Alleyne made a fantastic run from one end of the pitch to the other, linking up with substitute Ryan McAidoo in the process.

The defender drew the foul on the edge of the Fulham box which Gray whipped towards the back post.

Whilst no-one met the set piece, Wilkinson’s side quickly regained possession and substitute Justin Oboavwoduo played a through ball into the path of McFarlane who rattled the left post with a thumping effort.

At the other end skipper Jahmai Simpson-Pusey stopped a goal-bound shot from Chris Donnell who almost snatched the lead with his first touch of the game.

The closing stages definitely proved to be the most lively and after a few half chances, Fulham finally found the opener with time almost up as Osmand nodded home at the near post on 90 minutes

It looked set to claim an important win for the hosts but City were not to be denied.

And Wilkinson's young charges hit back to force a priceless late equaliser, Mubama getting a vital last touch after Fulham had failed to clear their lines.

It meant the spoils were shared with the battle for top spot going to the final game.

HOW WE LINED UP

In between the sticks, Spike Brits was tasked with keeping Fulham at bay along with a defensive line of Lakyle Samuel, Max Alleyne, skipper Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Stephen Mfuni.

In midfield, Charlie Gray, Jaden Heskey and Michael Okeke looked to control the narrative.

And leading City’s line, Divin Mubama was joined by wide, attacking options in Matty Henderson-Hall and Christian McFarlane.

FULHAM XI | Allen, Tanton, Esenga, Amissah, Nsasi, Dibley-Dias, Works (Gordon 64’), King (McCoy-Splatt 79’), Osmand, Ridgeon (Donell 79’), Godo (De Fougerolles 90+1’)

UNUSED SUBS | Underwood.

CITY XI | Brits, Samuel, Alleyne, Simpson-Pusey, Mfuni (Naylor 90+2’), Gray, Henderson-Hall (McAidoo 68’) , J. Heskey, Mubama, Okeke (Oboavwoduo 75’), McFarlane (Muir 90+2’)

UNUSED SUBS | Wint.