City’s Manchester derby triumph seals place in PL2 play-off final | OneFootball

City's tense 2-0 triumph over Manchester United has confirmed our place in the Premier League 2 play-off final.

After a tightly contested first half in Friday's semi-final, Divin Mubama gave City a well-deserved lead on 66 minutes, nodding home from close range after a fantastic Lakyle Samuel cross.

The game continued to be a tight and difficult affair until the 89th minute when Mubama struck again, putting the game out of reach for the Red Devils with a clever backheel.

The win confirms City's place in the showpiece where Ben Wilkinson's Elite Development Squad will face either Crystal Palace or Southampton.

WHAT HAPPENED

A sunny, picturesque Joie Stadium was ready and waiting to host what would be the final Manchester derby of the season.

After dramatic extra-time wins over Liverpool and Arsenal in the previous two rounds – plus the knowledge that we beat United 3-1 at Carrington earlier in the campaign – City looked confident from the kick-off, with quick, clinical passing pinning the visitors in their half.

City’s first chance came on the 20-minute mark when Max Alleyne played a fine through ball past all of United’s team to Mubama.

The striker, however, opted to cut back onto his left foot but slipped before he could unleash his shot.

He’d get the chance to fire in on goal on the second through ball into his path six minutes later, but Mubama dragged the effort wide of the far post as City continued to build pressure.

Instantly at the other end, Ethan Wheatley mirrored Mubama’s shot, seeing his effort go wide in what was United’s first chance on 27 minutes.

The remainder of the half saw the game played in the centre of the pitch, with neither side overcommitting before the break.

United looked much brighter in the opening spell of the second half and almost took the lead three minutes after the restart.

The Red Devils regained possession in City’s half and Tyler Fletcher found Wheatley in the centre of the box, but the United striker’s headed effort flew too high.

Momentum shifted back in City’s favour and this time Mubama had the chance to find the opener on 52 minutes. He nodded Muir’s cross just over the bar with the striker unfortunate not to see the ball dip in his favour.

City remained patient, only playing the final ball when space opened up behind United. The next opportunity came on 65 minutes and was carved out by substitute Reigan Heskey.

He played an out-swinging corner into the back post and his brother was quickest to meet the ball with Jaden Heskey passing the ball back across goal to Mubama who nudged the ball just wide.

However, the crucial opener finally arrived a minute later, via a dangerous cross from the right.

Samuel whipped the ball to the back post and in-form Mubama headed the ball back across the face of the goal and into the bottom right corner for his fourth goal in three play-off ties.

As the clock ticked down, United continued to struggle to break through City’s defensive line. As our opponents tried to drag bodies forward, in turn it gave City space to play.

Substitute Divine Mukasa had a mouth-watering opportunity to double City’s lead on 88 minutes but his effort curled tantalisingly wide of the right post.

But the crucial second goal did then arrive through that man Mubama.

On 90 minutes, Jaden Heskey played a cute pass into the feet of Mubama inside the box. The striker got the ball stuck under his feet but did brilliantly to think quickly and backheel the ball home to send City into the final.

HOW WE LINED UP

Spike Brits picked up his third successive PL2 play-off appearance. He was accompanied by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Max Alleyne, captain Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Stephen Mfuni.

In midfield, Charlie Gray, Jaden Heskey and Michael Okeke worked as a trio. And leading City’s line again was Divin Mubama with Matty Henderson-Hall and Ashton Muir providing attack threat out wide.

CITY XI | Brits, Samuel, Alleyne, Simpson-Pusey, Mfuni, Gray, Henderson-Hall (R. Heskey 59’), J. Heskey, Mubama, Okeke (Mukasa 77’), Muir.

UNUSED SUBS | Wint, Naylor, Warhurst.

UNITED XI | Harrison, Ogunneye (Rowe 86’), Jackson, Kukonki, Murray, Devaney (J. Fletcher 70’), Scanlon, T. Fletcher, Wheatley, Kone, Williams (Biancheri 60’).

UNUSED SUBS | Murdock, Munro.

WHAT IT MEANS

City are through to the final of the Premier League 2 play-offs. We will face Southampton or Crystal Palace on home soil.

Date and kick-off time for the showpiece will be confirmed in due course on mancity.com and the Official Man City App.

UP NEXT

Our opponent for the final will be confirmed on Monday evening with Palace and Southampton going head-to-head at 19:00 (UK).