Manchester City's under-21s were inspired by Carlos Borges as the winger scored twice in an impressive 3-1 victory against Derby County in the Papa John's Trophy.
Borges gave the Blues the lead with a fine strike which flew past Scott Loach in the Rams goal into the roof of the net. The hosts were level just ten minutes later though as City failed to clear a corner and David McGoldrick tapped home.
The Portuguese star added his second 15 minutes after the break in controversial fashion, rounding the 'keeper before tapping home superbly but the home fans felt there was a foul just beforehand. Borges' thought he completed his hat-trick in the first minute of stoppage time as he tapped home a cross but it was adjudged as a Craig Forsyth own goal.
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Brian Barry-Murphy made four changes from the side that beat FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Youth League a week ago. Notable inclusions in the team were Rico Lewis and Josh Wilson-Esbrand who have both been in and around the first team this campaign.
City settled into the contest well with Barry-Murphy orchestrating an enthusiastic pressing game from the off. It was the Blues who would muster the first chance of the evening as Borges forced a good save from Scott Loach.
The Blues were the better side in the opening 20 minutes and if it was not for a last ditch block from Richard Stearman, Oscar Bobb's effort would have given them the lead. McGoldrick then went up the other end and forced a good save from Mikki van Sas.
Borges deserved the opener when it came as, in a repeat of the opportunity that fell his way in the opening ten minutes, the youngster this time lifted the ball into the roof of the net on 27 minutes. It was nearly two moments later as Ben Knight broke the Rams' offside trap but his effort struck the post.
Derby were level ten minutes later. The young Blues failed to deal with a corner and McGoldrick was in the right place to tap home.
The Rams had the first chance after the break with Louie Sibley having a go but his shot flew over. It was the visitors though that added a second.
On the hour mark, Borges again showed his pace and did brilliantly to round Loach before tapping home. Derby were left feeling aggrieved though as James Collins was left in a heap during the build-up - the referee adjudged that there was no wrongdoing to plenty of jeers.
City were let off the hook massively as a slip in defence allowed Lewis Dobbin in one on one but his strike went well wide. The Blues lost bright spark Knight with 15 minutes to go after an innocuous challenge left the 20-year-old being carried off on a stretcher.
Borges finished off his incredible display by putting pressure on the Rams from a cross which caused Forsyth to divert into his own goal. The victory keeps Barry-Murphy's side in with a chance of progression from their group.
City XI vs Derby County - Van Sas, Lewis, Katongo, Burns, Wilson-Esbrand, Charles (c), Knight, Breckin, Bobb, O’Reilly, Borges.
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