Manchester City defeats Liverpool

.Manchester City defeats Liverpool

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In the league match on Saturday lunchtime, Manchester City U18s defeated Liverpool U18s 3-0.

Both teams created plenty of scoring opportunities during their U18 Premier League North match at the City Football Academy, but goals from Divine Mukasa and Alfie Harrison (two) in each half gave the home team the victory.

The players got right into the action as soon as the game started, following a short delay for kickoff and multiple pitch inspections because of the low temperatures over night.

Ashton Muir got away down the left and crossed low, forcing Liverpool to rely on a vital clearance from inside his own area by Wellity Lucky with just five minutes remaining.

The home goalkeeper stopped a stepover and shot from Kieran Morrison, and Kornel Misciur then twice denied attempts from Farid Alfa-Ruprecht.

However, City’s threat was increasing, and on minute 28, they scored the first goal of the match.

Mukasa extended the play to Harrison on the left, then proceeded to run into the center to receive the pass back and assist Harrison in finishing past Misciur.

Jayden Danns’ flick of Francis Gyimah’s cross into Trent Kone-Doherty’s feet signaled the start of Liverpool’s impressive comeback.

Jack Wint stopped Kone-Doherty’s first close-range shot, and the forward hit the crossbar with his rebound.

Both sides of halftime saw a goalkeeper save and a deflection thwart Morrison, before Misciur denied Matty Warhurst following a tee-up from the influential Harrison.

At this point, Morrison’s chances were really flowing, and Wint touched the post with another attempt from a distance that was dipping and curling.

Harrison hooked a shot wide, Misciur stopped a Mukasa second, Keyrol Figueroa came dangerously close with a thump from 25 yards, and Alfa-Ruprecht snatched a promising opportunity over the bar when it was one-on-one.

Figueroa came dangerously close with a 25-yard thump, Harrison missed the mark with a shot, and Misciur stopped Mukasa from scoring again.

However, City scored the crucial second goal two minutes after the hour had passed. Harrison advanced the ball to the near post and along the left edge of the box, where he threaded a finish underneath Misciur as the goalkeeper broke free from his line.

Harrison scored City’s second goal and Mukasa’s third, but the hosts held firm and extended their lead well into stoppage time. Mukasa went close again with a curling free kick.