With a new competition implemented at the start of the current campaign, the Premier League International Cup final served as a great experience for the young players of tomorrow. Merging the top 8 academy setups in England along with the same number from Europe’s elite proved to be a very shrewd decision. Such quality in the competition really highlights what a fabulous achievement it is for this crop of players to go the distance and become the first Premier League International Cup Winners.
City started of brightly and instantly the partnership between Kelechi and Pozo seemed to click. Impressive link-up play from the duo led to the first chance after two minutes, Kelechi drawing a save out of Nunes.
The liveliness of Iheanacho was a recurring theme throughout the opening stages and having already made his presence felt, it was the Nigerian who put the Blues infront inside four minutes. He pounced on an errant pass before coolly rounding Nunes and slotting home – continuing his excellent vein of form in the process.
However from then on though, it was Porto who seized control and put City under plenty of pressure. We have been accustomed to seeing Vieira’s men intent on playing out from the back, but in this situation the Blues appeared to be the architects of their own downfall. A combination of high-energy pressing from the Portugese outfit, along with some sloppy passing from City meant that the visitors had a series of chances.
Frederic Maciel passed on a golden chance for Porto to level matters after being played through. With the goal gaping, he failed to fit the target. Similarly, his compatriot Andre Silva spurned an equally good opportunity at the near post on the half hour mark. The Porto no.49 tried his luck twice more in the first half, but Angus Gunn thwarted him well.
Half-time: City 1-0 FC Porto.
Angus Gunn has been a vital cog for the EDS throughout the competition, coming up with the heroics in the penalty shoot-out win over Celtic – helping City in their route to the final. He produced a wonderful save just after half-time to again deny Andre Silva.
Silva’s namesake Leandro went closer moments later after getting in behind but much like the trend set before, Gunn rushed out and smothered to great effect.
Still, the visitors were on top in proceedings, so in an attempt to try and alter that, Vieira brought on Bryan and Barker for Kelechi and skipper Glendon. It helped establish a bit more composure in central areas; Olivier Ntcham’s curling effort was an example of that.
At the other end, Luis Alves smacked the outside of the post after being threaded through down the left on 66 minutes. Byrne fired a daisycutter wide just wide of the mark after good work from Barker, before Maciel blazed over when presented with another promising opportunity at City’s goal.
As the Blues tried their best to see out the game, Porto piled on the pressure. That meant Gunn was called upon for one final time; this time producing an utterly outstanding save to keep out substitute Anderson Olivieira’s wicked strike. It was the sort of save that would rightly lead to celebrations, and so it did as Vieira and his troops held on and came through a frantic spell – becoming the 2015 Premier League International Cup Champions.
Full-time: City 1-0 FC Porto.
All in all, not a vintage display from City by any stretch but they showed admirable character and effort to dig in and get the job done. Some exceptional goalkeeping and last-ditch defending surely warranted the same sort of praise achieved through exciting attacking play.
While not at their most fluent, to win a competition packed with some of the most impressive sides at the level is a phenomenal achievement, and one they certainly enjoyed at the ending judging by the trophy celebrations. It was especially nice to see some of the first team players out on the pitch at the end to congratulate the young gun’s on their success.
