Carlos Borges sends Pep Guardiola message in Man City EDS Youth League win

Manchester City EDS took a huge step towards qualifying for the next stage of the UEFA Youth League by defeating FC Copenhagen Under-19s 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon.

City came into the match level on points with the hosts in Group G, with both having opened their European campaigns with two wins before they shared the spoils in an uneventful 1-1 draw at the City Academy Stadium last week. Brian Barry-Murphy's side were much improved on a brisk afternoon in Denmark, dominating large swathes of the match and resisting a Copenhagen comeback to claim the three points.

If City lacked control and impetus last week in Manchester then that was the first thing they addressed at the Østerbro Stadion. As ever the Blues — making a rare outing in their red and black away kit, as the senior side will do later in the day — looked to dominate possession early on, but it was actually though well-coordinated pressing that the opener came about.

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A sloppy pass out from the back from Copenhagen goalkeeper Andreas Dithmer was seized upon by Carlos Borges, who played a one-two with Oscar Bobb, received the ball as he surged into the penalty area and squared for Will Dickson tap into the empty net. 18-year-old Borges has really come alive in Europe this season, the assist his sixth direct goal contribution in four Youth League outings this term.

City started the second half how they ended the first, controlling proceedings and being rewarded with a goal for their efforts. Ten minutes into the second period Adedire Mebude cut into the penalty area from the right flank and was bundled over by the defender.

The 18-year-old Scottish youth international dusted himself