Bobb returns as Crystal Palace edge out EDS in PL2 clash

Manchester City F.C.

·16 de março de 2025

Bobb returns as Crystal Palace edge out EDS in PL2 clash

Oscar Bobb made a welcome return to action as City’s Elite Development Squad were pipped 23-2 at home to Crystal Palace in our latest Premier League 2 clash.

The attacking midfielder was making his first competitive start since sustaining a serious leg injury back in August, playing for 60 minutes.

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He was joined in the EDS startling line-up by fellow first team squad member Vitor Reis.

And both Bobb and Reis more than played their part in what was an entertaining and highly competitive clash.

Strikes from skipper Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Divin Mubama gave City a 2-0 half-time lead but the visitors hit back after the break through Rio Cardines and Hindolo Mustapha to draw level before Dylan Reid struck an injury time winner.

What happened

In what was the final match ahead of the March international break, the City youngsters were seeking to round off what had been a fine first two and half months of 2025.

But it was Palace who carved open the game’s first opportunity inside two minutes.

Kaden Rodney pinged in a low inviting cross to the waiting Hindolo Mustapha but he blazed over the bar from 15 yards out.

City looked to respond in kind and on 11 minutes winger Emilio Lawrence fired in a curling effort which former City keeper Louie Moulden did well to grasp.

It was a very much a game of patience but our persistence and endeavour was rewarded with the breakthrough on the half hour through Simpson-Pusey.

Max Alleyne was the architect threading a fine long ball over the Palace back line and Simpson-Pusey showed great awareness to first get the ball under control before drilling home past former City Academy keeper’ Louie Moulden.

Two minutes later at the other end Oliver Whatmuff was called into action, the City keeper producing a quite stunning driving save to somehow claw a goalbound header from Ola-Adebomi off the line.

City then capitalised on that moment of magic by doubling our advantage four minutes from the break.

Jaden Heskey was the architect this time, opening up a fraction of space on the right flank before cutting inside into the box where Mubama executed a fine striker’s finish.

Palace though roared out of the blocks straight after the restart, narrowing the deficit within 60 seconds.

Full-back Rio Cardines rifled home a superb shot from 18 yards that gave Whatmuff no chance.

A delicious through ball from Bobb then almost put Mubama in once more.

Just shy of the hour another slick City move ended with Lawrence just inches away from meeting Heskey's inviting assist.

Reis then made a crucial and superbly timed challenge in the box to deny Marsh as Palace pushed for a leveller.

But the Eagles did find the target on 68 minutes, Mustapha slamming home a spectacular strike from the right side of the box.

City looked to hit back instantly and both Samuel and Heskey saw goalbound efforts blocked on the line in a 75th minute scramble.

But with a draw looking likely Palace claimed a late, late winner, Reid firing home from 15 yards on 92 minutes to condemn us to a first PL2 loss since late January.

How we lined up

Oliver Whatmuff was in goal and shielded by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Max Alleyne, Vitor Reis and Seb Naylor.

Skipper Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was the holding midfielder with Oscar Bobb and Jaden Heskey also in the engine room.

Divin Mubama was City’s attacking focal point with Matty Henderson-Hall and Emilio Lawrence on either flank.

CITY XI: Whatmuff, Samuel, Alleyne, Reis, Naylor (McFarlane 80), Simpson-Pusey (c), J Heskey (Gray 82), Bobb (Okeke 61), Henderson-Hall, Mubama, Lawrence

Subs: Brits, Muir

PALACE: Moulden, Cardines, King, Grante, Browne (c), Reid, Umeh, Rodney, Ola-Adebomi, Mustapha, Marsh (Derry 77).

Subs: Austin, Eastwood, Gubbard, Musanhi

What it means

With two games of the regular season remaining, Wilkinson’s side remain top of the PL2 standings.We have 43 points from 18 games played with second placed Fulham on 41.