3/1 To Win
Jason Knight stole the show on Saturday Afternoon as Derby County’s Under-18s beat league-leading Manchester City 2-0 in front of a delighted home crowd.
The deserved result and excellent performance against top opposition reached equal levels of satisfaction for coaches Rory Delap and Justin Walker, extending their sides unbeaten run to a massive 10 games.
Derby started the game with intensity and desire and with just five minutes gone, Jason Knight struck the ball first time from 25-yards out and it rocketed into the top corner.
The ball was still rising as it crashed against the Manchester City net, a real goal of the season contender that drew gasps of exhilaration from the onlooking fans.
That moment of magic set the tone for the match - just five minutes later Knight was again on hand to score, timing his run perfectly to place a first-time finish into the bottom corner after a cushioned knock down from Jayden Mitchell-Lawson and excellent work from Louie Sibley to clip it into the back post.
The Rams had earned their two-goal safety net, and defended imperiously to maintain it – restricting City to limited chances throughout.
Sky Blues striker Keke Simmonds hit the post on the stroke of half time but that was as much threat as Derby allowed the away side to have.
Captain Fuseine Rashid marshalled his defence with imposing authority, while centre-half partner Lee Buchanan was a magnet to danger, sniffing it out and dealing with it comfortably.
The most threat City possessed in their attempts to reduce the deficit in the second half was down the right-hand side through winger Henri Ogunby, but Derby left-back Jordan Mills had a stellar game too.
In the closing stages, Derby’s only lapse in concentration came in conceding an injury-time penalty. However, justice was done in preserving a well-earned clean sheet as Felix Nmecha chipped his penalty-kick over the bar.
Coming off the back of beating second place Everton in the league last week in the Premier League Cup, this showing against the top team in the division highlights the resolute character and increasingly quality throughout the Derby side.
Jason Knight will take the headlines, but this was a spirited and complete team performance.
What’s To Come...
That concludes Derby’s Premier League – North action for the calendar year, but the excitement of the FA Youth Cup rolls into town on Wednesday 13th December when the Rams host Manchester United at Pride Park.
Derby return to league action after the turn of the year, with an intriguing clash away at Liverpool on Saturday 13th January.
The Rams will be hoping they can continue their undefeated form, that stretches back to September, through the end of the year and into the next one.
Next Five...
Derby County Under-18s Vs Manchester United Under 18s – Wednesday 13th December (kick-off: 7pm)
Liverpool Under-18s Vs Derby County Under-18s – Saturday 13th January (kick-off: 12pm)
Derby County Under-18s Vs Sunderland Under-18s – Saturday 20th January (kick-off: 1pm)
Manchester United Under-18s Vs Derby County Under-18s – Saturday 3rd February (kick-off: 12pm)
Derby County Under-18s Vs Blackburn Rovers Under-18s – Saturday 10th February (kick-off: 12:30pm)
Words by Jools Jordan-Probert
Images by Harry Marshall
