Wright at the double as City's Under-19s sweep Slovan aside

Manchester City F.C.

·1 October 2024

Wright at the double as City's Under-19s sweep Slovan aside

City’s Under-19s cruised to an impressive 4-0 UEFA Youth League victory away at Slovan Bratislava.

Jacob Wright led the way, bagging a brace with Matty Warhurst and substitute Matty Henderson-Hall also on target.

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Ben Wilkinson’s side proved utterly dominant throughout in the Slovak capital as we recorded our first victory in this season’s competition.

Wright had given the City youngsters a deserved 44th minute lead from the penalty spot after Ryan McAidoo was brought down.

Warhurst then extended the advantage 10 minutes after the restart with a smart finish.

And Wright then set the seal on a fine afternoon's work by guiding home his second and City's third sixteen minutes from time.

What happened

After a 4-2 loss at home to Inter in our opening match City were seeking to quickly respond and we instantly assumed control of the game, with our possession and movement immediately asking early questions of the hosts.

Kaden Braithwaite powered in an early sight of goal on just five minutes with Wilkinson's side already camped in the Slovak half.

With Ryan McAidoo proving a thorn in the hosts’ side with forays down the right flank, Slovan needed to work overtime to keep City at bay.

The overworked hosts were content to pile bodies behind the ball and seek to exploit any opportunities on the break.

Lakyle Samuel was unlucky to see a close-range goal bound effort blocked by Tomenek as City sought to convert territorial dominance into goals.

McAidoo, having switched flanks, then saw a fizzing shot come cross arrow frustratingly wide three minutes before the break.

And it was from another forward thrust from McAidoo that City finally broke the deadlock on the brink of half-time.

A desperate challenge from Tomanek saw the Slovan defender hack the winger down to earn City a 44th minute penalty.

Jacob Wright strode forward to power home the spot-kick into the top right corner despite Slovan keeper David Balog getting a hand to the ball.

It was no less than Wilkinson’s side deserved and 10 minutes after the restart City powered further ahead thanks to a fine striker’s finish from Warhurst.

Charlie Gray latched onto a poor clearance from the Slovan keeper and instantly found Warhurst lurking on the edge of the hosts’ box.

In an instant he swivelled before thumping home a fine strike inside the left-hand post to double City’s advantage.

Balog then somewhat made amends by staying alert to deny McAidoo after another powerful attacking break by the City winger.

The visitors were not to be denied though and that man Wright was on target again on 73 minutes stroking home a wonderful finish from just outside the box.

It was his second goal of the afternoon and fifth of the season and just rewards for another superb all-round display.

And a memorable afternoon was then sealed in injury time when substitute Henderson-Hall neatly fired home from a narrow angle.

How we lined up

Oliver Whatmuff was in goal and shielded by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Stephen Mfuni and Kaden Braithwaite. Jacob Wright was the holding midfielder with Charlie Gray and Nico O’Reilly also in the engine room.

Ryan McAidoo, Reigan Heskey and Matty Warhurst formed City’s attacking trident.

SLOVAN: Balog, Palakovic (Sisiak 84), Balog, Franko, Holocsy, Tomenek, Balko, Marko (Canoli 74), Mateas, Murar ( Dornai 74), Maros (Denko 62).

Subs: Svek, Rusek, Held, Kozyk

CITY XI: Whatmuff, Samuel (Thomas 78), Simpson-Pusey, Mfuni (Oboavwoduo 63), Braithwaite, Wright, McAidoo (Henderson-Hall 74), O’Reilly, Heskey (Noble 63), Warhurst, Gray (Mukasa 82)

Subs: Wint, Fletcher

What it means

A first three-point haul puts City right in the mix in terms of the overall league table. Next up in the UEFA Youth League is a home clash with Sparta Prague at the Joie Stadium on Wednesday, October 23.