Southampton Under-21s’ season ended in an emphatic 4-0 defeat to Manchester City at St. Mary’s.
A brace from Kelechi Iheanacho alongside goals from Oliver Ntcham and Brandon Baker saw the Citizens see off a Saints side who looked weary from a testing campaign.
All four of City’s goals came either side of the half-time break as the home team failed to capitalise on early pressure.
In the opening 20 minutes Southampton had less of the ball but were looking very dangerous on the break; winning the ball high and attacking quickly – Sam McQueen, Ryan Seager and Lloyd Isgrove all getting in behind the City defence but all failing to get their shots on target.
Saints continued to press high and were very nearly rewarded when McQueen nicked the ball off George Evans in the City defence and cut the ball back for Isgrove whose effort cannoned back of the post.
City began to dominate after this – their possession became more meaningful and they began to peg Southampton back. Cody Cropper was forced into action numerous times including an outstanding reaction save after the visitors full back Angelino’s drive was deflected towards goal and he instively stretched out a right arm to tip the ball round the post.
On 37 minutes, the away side took the lead, Kelechi Iheanacho beat his man down the left wing, got to the by-line and drilled a low cross do the back post – Aaron Nemane got infront of Matt Targett to bundle home the opener.
City doubled their lead just five minutes later, Oliver Ntcham beat Ollie Cook and Jake Hesketh to gain half a yard of space on the edge of the penalty area and he drove his shot past Cropper. City were fully deserving of their lead going into the break.
The visitors were straight out of the blocks after half time and added to their tally only three minutes in, Brandon Baker jinxed past two Southampton defenders before playing an neat one-two with Iheanacho before slotting home City’s third.
And it was all over just before the hour mark, Baker got in down the left and put the ball square for Iheanacho who bagged his second and City’s fourth of the night.
