RAMPANT ROBERTSON GUIDES UNDER-18S TO VICTORY
Josh Lees
Tue 15 Dec 2020, 15:50

Manchester City's Under-18s put in a superb performance to defeat Derby County 7-0 in the Under-18 Premier League North

Alex Robertson starred with four goals, whilst Tai Sodje, Darko Gyabi and Callum Doyle also got their names on the scoresheet in a stunning display at the CFA.

Carlos Vicens' side were given the perfect start just minutes in after Sodje capitalised on a spilled save from Rams keeper, Alife Roberts before being fouled in the area by the Derby shot-stopper.

After winning the spot-kick, Sodje stepped up and converted for his tenth league goal of the season.

Things then got even better for the City youngsters as Gyabi finished off a superb team move for our second.

A neat one-two saw the midfielder break into the Derby penalty area, before slotting into the far corner to double our lead with just 15 minutes on the clock.

After two postponements, Vicens' side had not been in action for more than a fortnight, and it seemed City were out to capitalise on lost time as Robertson made it three 10 minutes later.

A superb team move down the left allowed Carlos Borges to pull the ball back for Robertson, who tapped in from six yards to cap off a sensational first 30 minutes.

City's free-flowing, first 45 minutes was a pleasure on the eye, and another slick move nearly resulted in a fourth as Borges finished off another fine passage of play by crashing an effort into the near post.

City began the second half where they had left off in the first as we added a fourth just minutes after the restart.

Robertson hit a stunning, curling free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner for his second, and City's fourth of the afternoon.

Minutes later Robertson was given a golden opportunity to complete his hat-trick after he was fouled in the Derby penalty area.

After winning the spot-kick, the midfielder stepped up, however his effort to the keeper's left was well saved by Roberts, before Oscar Bobb fired over the rebound.

However, Robertson soon made amends and finally had his third with 15 minutes left. The City number eight latched onto a loose ball on the edge of box, and somewhat fortuitously volleyed into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick.

Vicens' side were not done there as Doyle came out from his defensive duties to net City's sixth.

The defender drove through the middle of the visitors and then smashed a fine effort past a helpless Roberts, finishing off a fantastic solo run.

After already completing his hat-trick, Robertson was far from done as he followed this up with a stunning fourth, crashing another free-kick into the top corner.

HOW WE LINED UP
Josh Mcnamara's goal was protected by a back four of Kwaku Oduroh, Charles Shea, Callum Doyle and Carlos Borges. Romeo Lavia, Alex Robertson and Darko Gyabi formed our midfield.

Oscar Bobb Samuel Edozie and Tai Sodje formed our front three.

WHAT IT MEANS
The victory moves our Under-18s move up to third in the U18 Premier League North table, four points behind leaders, Manchester United with a game in hand.

UP NEXT
Vicens' side return to action the Saturday (19 December), making the league trip to Blackburn Rovers, kick-off 11:00 (UK).

VICENS HAILS CLINICAL UNDER-18S
Josh Lees
Wed 16 Dec 2020, 13:00

Carlos Vicens was full of praise for his Under-18 side after the City youngsters' emphatic 7-0 win over Derby County.

Tai Sodje, Darko Gyabi, Callum Doyle and Alex Robertson all got their names on the score sheet, with the latter proving the star of the show after finding the net four times, including two stunning free-kicks.

The latest impressive win also extended our unbeaten start to the Under-18 Premier League North campaign, leaving City four points behind leaders, Manchester United with a game in hand.

The 7-0 thrashing also came on the back of a 5-0 triumph over Sunderland in City's previous outing, and Vicens said the clinical finishing demonstrated by his players is something the squad had been honing during training.

"It's something [finishing] we have been working on quite a lot, because we found a lot that we arrived to the final third and couldn't finish the chances we created," head coach revealed.

"It's something we have definitely improved on in the last two games and it is something we can't take for granted, so for the next games we will still work hard on it."

As well as amassing 12 goals in the past two games, our Under-18s have also recorded five clean sheets in their last five games, and Vicens believes this is just as important as firing up front.


Alex Robertson

"Sometimes you are not lucky. The first two or three chances you have do not go in, so you need to make sure you have the possibility of a clean sheet," Vicens added.

"Then, the one or two [chances] you have later in the game can then win you the game so the clean sheet is definitely as important as the stuff in possession."

Arguably our star man in a superb team performance was four-goal Robertson and Vicens was full of praise for the midfielder and his EDS teammate, Sam Edozie.

"Both Sam and Alex were really committed to the game and to the things we tried to achieve, putting in a lot of effort to help us get the result."

The City boss also extended his praise to his whole side.

"I wouldn't just highlight the two that came from the EDS to help us. Everyone put in a great effort and contributed to the victory."

Our Under-18s return to action on Saturday away to our recent FA Youth Cup semi-final opponents, Blackburn Rovers, and Vicens is expecting another tough task.

"I have never played an easy game against Blackburn! We have Wednesday to rest and then two days to prepare," the head coach added.

"We will have to put in a magnificent level of performance again to get the three points as we know it will be really tough."