WHAT HAPPENED
We suffered our first Premier League 2 defeat of the season on Saturday afternoon as we were beaten 6-0 by Manchester City away from home.
The hosts took the lead after just eight minutes, Alex Robertson rounding Hubert Graczyk to slot home into the empty net, before doubling their advantage moments later through Carlos Borges' close-range strike.
It was three midway through the half, Robertson completing his brace after knocking the ball past Taylor Foran and dispatching one-on-one against Graczyk.
Mehmet Ali's side registered their first meaningful chance of the half through Amario Cozier-Duberry, our winger forcing Mikki Van Sas into a good stop from close range, before the rebound was sent over the bar from Mauro Bandeira.
The hosts secured a quick-fire double on the stroke of half-time, first through Dire Mebude, and then Borges scoring his second, to leave us trailing at the break.
Ali introduced Ben Cottrell and Zane Monlouis in a double change at the break and saw his side rally well at the start of the second half to take the game to the hosts.
Our press almost paid off as we caught Manchester City cold on the edge of their box, but Matt Smith dragged his effort just wide of Van Sas' post.
Mebude got a brace of his own on the hour mark after finding the back of the net from the tightest of angles.
We continued to push for a goal in the closing stages with more changes in personnel made, but failed to break down the hosts' resolute defence and fell to our first league defeat of the campaign.
WHAT IT MEANS
We drop down to second place in the Premier League 2 table, one point behind today's opponents, Manchester City, after 12 matches played.
WHAT'S NEXT
We can bounce back on Friday night when we return to Premier League 2 action against Leicester City.
Kick-off at Meadow Park is at 7pm (UK time).
TEAM NEWS
Starting XI: Graczyk, Walters, Foran, Awe, Sousa, Smith, Henry-Francis, Bandeira, Cozier-Duberry, Sagoe Jr, Butler-Oyedeji
Substitutes: Cooper, Monlouis, Cottrell, Cirjan, Vigar
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