Good run out for second string...
Much as expected really. Huddersfield defended deep with their sole ambition being to keep the score to a minimum which they achieved. City were in complete control of an attack vs defence game.
MoTM Foden pulled the strings centrally & took his goal very well against a stubborn defence after a sublime layoff from Mukasa.
Gonzalez kept the shield in front of Stones & Aké closed & intact, but was rarely troubled in truth. Fuck knows what slap head was saying to him as he came off though...
Savinho grew into the game & made it two with an exocet missile of a shot through the keepers hands, & off the underside of the bar into the roof of the net. 0-2 City.
The central areas were too congested to allow for beautiful football, but we totally dominated to make it a comfortable away win against a dogged & determined Huddersfield side.
It was good to see so many academy products finish the game, even though we lost our rhythm because of multiple late changes. Emile must have been bursting with pride to see the Heskey boys making their joint first team debuts.
Bobb showed some decent flashes, but he still seems a bit off the pace.
Lewis couldn't affect the game centrally because of the congestion, but he kept everything steady & ticking over nicely. The little he had to do, he did well.
O'Reilly played very well & Savinho became more effective, the more O'Reilly drifted left to support him in attack.
We're away to Swansea in the next round, so hopefully the same squad can get another run out & a further opportunity to get up to speed & impress.
The return of Kalvin Philips!
Finally, welcome back Kalvin! Who thought they'd ever see him in a City shirt again? Hopefully, he'll play some part throughout the season in giving respite to our midfield in games where we're comfortably ahead.
Roll on Burnley at the Etihad!
