Spurs under 23’s 3-1 Manchester City: (match report)

(This photograph is from Tottenham Hotspur FC)

For our under 23’s second PL2 game of the 2019/20 season Wayne Burnett’s side welcomed Manchester City to the world class Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Friday evenings match was a game of total domination from the home side who, from start to finish outplayed Manchester City with their slick passing game. Spurs started the game with an assuredness about their game and after playing some good football around centre forward Troy Parrott Wayne Burnett’s side came close to taking the lead through attacking midfielder Tashan Oakley-Boothe. Spurs eventually took the lead through Troy Parrott who finished smartly from inside the Manchester City penalty area. Spurs doubled their advantage shortly before the break through Paris Maghoma as Spurs took a healthy two goal cushion into the interval. Spurs started the second half well and they continued to restrict the visitors to efforts from long range. After Shilow Tracey won a penalty kick, Troy Parrott calmly converted to net his second goal of the game. The game was slightly overshadowed by an injury which Parrott would pick up later on in the half. Spurs played some nice stuff during the remaining stages of the game and although Manchester City managed to pull a late goal back through Nabil Touaizi, it wasn’t to matter in the grand scheme of things. Spurs continue to sit at the top of the PL2 division one after totally dominating Manchester City on a wet night in North London.  Wayne Burnett’s side lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation on Friday. Brandon Austin started in goal while a back four of Tariq Hinds, captain TJ Eyoma, Japhet Tanganga and Harvey White. Paris Maghoma and Jamie Bowden partnered up in central midfield while Dilan Markanday and Shilow Tracey operated out wide on the flanks, either side of CAM Tashan Oakley-Boothe. 17 year old Ireland under 19 international Troy Parrott led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway in front of a fairly sizeable crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. After seeing quite a bit of the ball during the opening stages of the game Spurs were trying to break Manchester City down. 

Paris Maghoma tried to slip through Troy Parrott inside the Manchester City box but Taylor Harwood-Bellis managed to intercept the ball. At the other end of the pitch Jayden Braaf fired a low effort wide of Brandon Austin’s goal, after he had received Nabil Touaizi’s pass. A couple of minutes later Troy Parrott won a free kick right on the edge of the Manchester City penalty area. However, he curled his resulting effort into the ‘ Sky Blues ‘ wall. A cross from Jamie Bowden which was intended for Troy Parrott was cleared away by Man City defender Joel Latibeaudiere before Spurs created their first real chance of the game. After Paris Maghoma passed the ball to Dilan Markanday the tricky winger slipped the ball into the feet of Tashan Oakley-Boothe down the right hand side of the oppositions penalty area however, Oakley-Boothe’s resulting low effort was saved by the feet of Man City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. Japhet Tanganga did well to cut out Adrián Bernabé’s intended through ball for Nabil Touaizi shortly afterwards. The fast pace to the game continued. After Dilan Markanday won a free kick on the edge of the Manchester City box Paris Maghoma elected to take it. However, his resulting curling effort was deflected behind for a corner kick by the Man City wall. Nabil Touaizi cleared Harvey White’s resulting corner kick. Spurs continued to put pressure on the oppositions defence and they were coming closer to breaking the deadlock. After receiving Jamie Bowden’s pass Dilan Markanday had a deflected low effort saved by Gavin Bazunu. After Jamie Bowden’s cross was spilt by the Manchester City goalkeeper Dilan Markanday was unable despite his best efforts, to turn the ball home from inside the Man City box. Harvey White’s resulting corner kick just missed Japhet Tanganga in the danger zone. At the other end of the pitch Dilan Markanday made an important challenge on Alpha Dionkou after he had latched onto Ben Knight’s whipped low cross in the Spurs box, before Paris Maghoma did some good defensive work to stop Adrián Bernabé from bursting into the Tottenham penalty area.

After dribbling into the Man City box Dilan Markanday was intercepted by Tommy Doyle. At the other end of the pitch Alpha Dionkou had a cross cleared by Tariq Hinds. Then in the 36th minute of the game Spurs’ hard work was rewarded when they took the lead through Troy Parrott. It was a truly sumptuous finish from the Irishman. After receiving the ball Dilan Markanday passed the ball to Parrott in who had his back to goal in the Manchester City box. However, the 17 year old quickly sorted out his feet and he turned around Taylor Harwood-Bellis before whipping an unstoppable effort into the top left hand corner of Gavin Bazunu’s goal, 1-0. We were pressing well and we continued to cause the Manchester City defence problems. A dangerous cross from Tariq Hinds just evaded Shilow Tracey in the Man City box before TJ Eyoma was on hand at the other end of the pitch to cut out Adrián Bernabé’s through ball to Nabil Touaizi. Shilow Tracey nodded Dilan Markanday’s cross wide of Bazunu’s goal a matter of moments later before Spurs doubled their lead right on the stroke of halftime through Paris Maghoma. After Troy Parrott had passed the ball to Shilow Tracey down the left hand side of the Manchester City box the winger pondered before cutting the ball back for Maghoma on the edge of the penalty area. His first time side footed effort nestled wonderfully into the top right hand corner of Gavin Bazunu’s goal, beating the Irishman with ease, 2-0. The referee Matthew Russell sounded his whistle for halftime a couple of moments later. Manchester City got the second half underway and early on in the half TJ Eyoma did well to cut out a pass from Jayden Braaf. A couple of minutes later a nice move saw Hinds pass the ball to Bowden who slipped the ball into Parrott inside the Manchester City box. Parrott held off his man inside the danger zone before striking the bottom right hand post with a powerful low effort. The ball came back to Bowden inside the area but he was unable to control the ball and it went behind for a goal kick.

After Troy Parrott won a free kick on the edge of the Manchester City box, free kick specialist Harvey White tried to test Gavin Bazunu. White’s curling effort was touched onto the side netting by Bazunu before it could nestle in the bottom right hand corner of the goal. Harvey White then had a corner kick cleared away by Joel Latibeaudiere before Shilow Tracey won a penalty for Spurs. After receiving Maghoma’s pass down the left hand side of the Man City box, he managed to hold off two Manchester City defenders before being brought down by Jeremie Frimpong. Troy Parrott calmly despatched his resulting penalty kick by whipping the ball past Bazunu and inside the left hand corner of the goal, 3-0. After Dilan Markanday was brought down by Jeremie Frimpong inside the Man City box shortly after the restart, he looked at the referee hoping for a penalty to be awarded but Matthew Russell saw nothing in it. Alpha Dionkou had a cross cleared by Harvey White, before White himself had a cross cleared away by Jeremie Frimpong. After beating Man City captain Tommy Doyle in the oppositions box, Tariq Hinds attempted to square the ball for Parrott but it was cleared away by Latibeaudiere. After suffering a heavy challenge from Tommy Doyle, Parrott picked up an injury and he was swiftly replaced by Rodel Richards. Spurs were just knocking the ball about with ease as the minutes ticked by. Adrián Bernabé had a shot blocked behind by TJ Eyoma before Harvey White managed to clear Tommy Doyle’s corner kick. After being given the ball by Markanday, Maghoma burst into the Manchester City box before back heeling the ball for Shilow Tracey who fired the ball narrowly wide of Gavin Bazunu’s goal. Jamie Bowden had a shot on goal which was blocked by Tommy Doyle before Dilan Markanday curled an effort wide from the edge of the Man City box after he received the ball from Paris Maghoma. Then at the other end of the pitch Jeremie Frimpong saw his cross headed over by TJ Eyoma. Tommy Doyle’s resulting corner kick was headed back across goal by Frimpong for Touaizi who headed the ball just wide of Brandon Austin’s goal. 

Harvey White cleared Jayden Braaf’s cross before Brandon Austin gathered a cross from the same player a couple of moments later. After receiving Dilan Markanday’s pass on the edge of the Man City box Rodel Richards curled an effort over Gavin Bazunu’s crossbar. Manchester City substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru surged forward through the middle of the pitch before lashing an effort over Brandon Austin’s crossbar. Brooklyn Lyons-Foster replaced Tariq Hinds before Dilan Markanday had a shot blocked by Taylor Harwood-Bellis after he had cut inside from the right flank. Manchester City pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute of the game after TJ Eyoma was intercepted by Nabil Touaizi who burst into the Spurs box. However, he was intercepted by Brooklyn Lyons-Foster who lunged in to make a pin point challenge. However, the ball came back to Touaizi and he fired an effort past Austin on the turn, and the ball nestled into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. Jubril Okedina came onto replace Jamie Bowden as Brooklyn Lyons-Foster switched out to left back as Harvey White went into central midfield. TJ Eyoma cleared a cross from Adrián Bernabé before Dilan Markanday went on a surging forward run before being fouled on the edge of the Man City box by Tommy Doyle. Harvey White’s resulting dipping free kick was pushed behind by Bazunu. Rodel Richards had an effort blocked by Tommy Doyle before Japhet Tanganga curled a deflected effort wide. Paris Maghoma then curled an effort wide of the Man City goal from long range. Rodel Richards had a late effort on the turn blocked by Frimpong in the Man City box before the referee sounded his whistle for full time. Bringing an end to a totally one sided game. Our under 23’s next game is at home to Derby County next Friday.

Player reviews:

• Brandon Austin: The Tottenham goalkeeper didn’t make a single save against Manchester City on Friday night. Austin’s distribution was faultless and the 20 year old goalkeeper could have done nothing to prevent Nabil Touaizi’s second half goal. 
• Tariq Hinds: It was a very assured performance from the right back against Manchester City. I personally didn’t think that Hinds put a foot wrong during his 77 minutes on the pitch. The skilful fullback defended well against Manchester City winger Jayden Braaf, and he went on some promising attacking forays of his own down the right flank. The 19 year old also made some important interceptions and clearances.
• TJ Eyoma: The Spurs captain had for the most part a very solid game minus albeit a minor lapse in concentration which contributed to Nabil Touaizi’s late goal. Eyoma was good in the air and he cut out some promising forward passes. He also made some timely interceptions and challenges. He looked very composed on the ball.
• Japhet Tanganga: Operating at LCB Tanganga’s time away with the first team during pre-season really showed last night. The 20 year old was rock solid alongside TJ Eyoma albeit against a not too threatening attack. Furthermore, Tanganga’s positioning was impeccable on the night as was the commanding nature of his defending. Like Eyoma the Hackney born defender cut out some dangerous passes and he also made some important defensive interventions.
• Harvey White: It was another really solid showing at left back from the young midfielder (17) who did a good job up against Manchester City’s Ben Knight who he helped to neutralise the threat of during the game. White kept good positioning and the timing of his defending was also good. Furthermore the Maidstone born White who filled in, in his natural position of central midfield for the latter stages of the game, also whipped some inviting crosses into the danger zone and he came close to finding the back of the net from a couple of free kicks.
• Jamie Bowden: My man of the match, see below.
• Paris Maghoma: Playing in central midfield as oppose to playing as a CAM as he did so against Liverpool the previous week. Maghoma put in a very mature performance against Manchester City and alongside the astute Jamie Bowden he helped to link defence with attack. Maghoma recycled possession well and his passing throughout the game was top quality.
• Dilan Markanday: Apart from setting up Troy Parrott’s opening goal the skilful winger carved his way through the Manchester City defence on numerous occasions on Friday. Markanday enjoyed great joy down the right hand side of the pitch and his skill and low centre of gravity really worked fullback Joel Latibeaudiere hard. Markanday also wasn’t afraid to try his luck on goal.
• Tashan Oakley-Boothe: Operating as a CAM the energetic Oakley-Boothe was another link between defence and attack and his movement as well as his first touch and passing were all good. 
• Shilow Tracey: It was an electric performance from the 21 year old who embarked on many a surging run down the left flank. Tracey’s strength and pace made him difficult to defend against and the former Ebbsfleet United man set up Paris Maghoma’s goal after assessing his options before he won the penalty which Troy Parrott tucked away, after he burst into the danger zone. Tracey tracked back well and he also made some intelligent passes and decisions in the final third.
• Troy Parrott: At times unplayable, centre forward Troy Parrott led the line by example on Friday night. Parrott’s power and strength made him so difficult to defend against and that along with his razor sharp movement and ability to drop deep in order to receive the ball, made him a constant thorn in Manchester City’s side. Parrott took his first goal excellently, everything about it was top class. His second half penalty was also taken really well. However, it was perhaps his hold up and link up play which was most impressive of all. On the day that he was called up to the Ireland senior team provisional squad, I just hope that the injury that he picked up during the second half is nothing to worry about. 
• Rodel Richards: The second half substitute led the line well during his time on the pitch and he made some good runs.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The defender looked solid at both right and left back during his time on the pitch.
• Jubril Okedina: It was a solid albeit late showing at RB from Okedina.

My man of the match: An artist in central midfield who linked defence with attack so diligently, midfielder Jamie Bowden put in an outstanding shift for the team on Friday night. Very Michael Carrick-esque in his overall play, Bowden did a good job alongside Maghoma in breaking up play and also in creating chances from deep. The Irish Londoner made some seriously intelligent passes and with his vision, guile and determination he helped Spurs to achieve the victory.

Spurs: Austin, Hinds (Lyons-Foster 77), White, Bowden (Okedina 84), Eyoma (c), Tanganga, Markanday, Maghoma, Parrott (Richards 61), Oakley-Boothe, Tracey. Substitutes (not used): Oluwayemi, A Shashoua.

Manchester City: Bazunu, Dionkou, Latibeaudiere (Amankwah 67), Harwood-Bellis, Frimpong, Doyle (c), Knight (Dele-Bashiru 55), Bernabé, Touaizi, Rogers, Braaf. Substitutes (not used): Moulden, Ogbeta, Simmonds.

Goals: Spurs – Parrott 36, 54 (pen), Maghoma 45+1; City – Touaizi 83.

Yellow cards: City – Touaizi 85, Frimpong 88.

Referee: Matthew Russell.

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Attendance: 5,731.

Spurs under 23’s statistics: 

Goals: Troy Parrott – 2

Kazaiah Sterling – 2

Tashan Oakley-Boothe – 1

Shilow Tracey – 1

Paris Maghoma – 1

Assists: Shilow Tracey – 2

Jamie Bowden – 1

Tariq Hinds – 1

Paris Maghoma – 1

Kazaiah Sterling – 1

Dilan Markanday – 1

Clean sheets: Brandon Austin – 1