U21s Report: City 4 Sheff Weds 1

Kieran Kennedy met Michael Cain’s corner with a towering header to open the scoring in just the fourth minute, before a well-taken brace from Harry Panayioutou put City in control at 3-0.

Adelko Savic did pull one back in first half stoppage time when he got a toe to a free kick from deep on City’s left hand side, but the comeback didn’t materialise for the visitors.

Cain then put the icing on a brilliant display from Steve Beaglehole’s side with a powerful finish into the top corner midway through the second half to make certain of City’s place in the last-16 draw.

The Foxes started the brighter with the out-and-out pace of Joe Dodoo causing immediate problems for the visitors – he put in two excellent crosses that were scrambled clear after getting in behind the left back.

The second of those led to the corner that set up the Foxes’ opener, as Cain put in an excellent out swinger from the right that was met by an even better header from Kennedy.

With City’s slick passing and movement, it was just a matter of time before the second goal came, and it was Panayiotou who took his chance to get on the score sheet 26 minutes in.

Callum Elder swung a deep cross from the left in towards the far post, where James Pearson knocked it down and the Owls failed to clear – allowing Panayiotou to instinctively fire home from just a couple of yards.

Just seven minutes later, Panayiotou was again in the right place at the right time to grab his second of the game, but this time from just one yard out after Dawson’s cross resulted in an frantic goalmouth scramble.

Operating in his preferred central midfield role, City’s Watson could count himself unfortunate not to have further extended that lead, with two brilliantly struck long range efforts whistling wide.

The visitors did manage to pull a goal back in first half stoppage time though, when Savic got a foot to Taylor McKenzie’s flick-on from a Liam Palmer free kick.

After the break City again pressed, with Pearson doing well to work an opening on the right and force a save from Owls ‘keeper Cameron Dawson, while the visitors still sensed life in the game at 3-1.

But in truth it was a much quieter half than the first, with City not under a great deal of pressure, but unable to open up their opponents with the same ease as they had earlier in the match, as Pearson’s teasing cross with 25 minutes left eluded both Panayiotou and Dodoo.

Thankfully the three-goal advantage was restored with 20 minutes to play, and it was a well deserved goal for Cain.

Panayiotou got his head up well in a good position on the left, finding last season’s Academy Player of the Year in space. He took a touch before firing powerfully on his left foot into the top corner.

Rob Paratore and Keenan King then replaced Dawson and Zoumana Bakayogo for City in midfield, as they comfortably saw out the match and secured themselves a fully deserved spot in the last-16 of the competition.

City: Logan, Pearson, Elder, Watson, Sesay (c), Kennedy, Dawson (Paratore 77), Cain, Panayiotou, Dodoo, Bakayogo (King 81)

Subs not used: Anton, Smith, Frempah

Goals: Kennedy 4, Panayiotou 26, 33, Cain 70

Sheffield Wednesday: Dawson, Palmer, Floro, Obileye, McKenzie, Corry, Savic, McCabe, Maguire, Hinchcliffe (c) (Lambin 59), Sutherland (Betra 46)

Subs not used: Wildsmith, Fenwick, Clark

Goal: Savic 45

Referee: Michael D’aguilar