Report: Man City U23s 3 Swans U23s 1

Liam Cullen scored at both ends as Swansea City Under-23s bowed out of Premier League 2 Division 1 with a 3-1 defeat by Manchester City at the Academy Stadium.

The young Swans’ number nine put through his own net in the 11th minute, while he was also on target at the other end after a quarter of an hour with his 10th goal of the season.

However, Lorenzo Gonzales restored City’s lead on the half-hour mark and substitute Nabil Touaizi put the game beyond the visitors seven minutes from time.

City began brightly and, following a lengthy spell of pressure, opened the scoring in the 11th minute.

Benjamin Garre flicked on a corner and the ball deflected home off the head of Cullen.

City continued to threaten the Swans before, out of the blue, the visitors equalised four minutes later.

Seconds after Josh Gould got down well to deny Garre, Cullen chased Kees De Boer’s long ball forward and neatly lifted over the helpless Tom Scott.

However, the hosts stamped their authority on the contest once again. Gould pushed away Adrian Bernabe’s effort but was unable to deny them on the half-hour mark, as Gonzales raced onto a neat ball in behind the defence before finishing.

City’s number nine went close again as his side aimed to stretch their lead before the break, while Tommy Doyle shot wide with only Gould to beat.

The Swans sent on Adam King at the break and the Scotsman appeared to settle things down in the middle of the park.

Cullen almost equalised for the second time in the 63rd minute but, after cleverly stepping inside the defender, saw his shot tipped just wide of the post by Scott.

At the other end, Garre’s powerful effort from a tight angle was pushed away by Gould, while Touaizi saw a couple of clear opportunities go begging.

But there was no denying the substitute seven minutes from time, as he arrived late to steer home Bernabe’s cross and secure the points for the hosts.

Manchester City: Tom Scott, Alpha Dionkou (Felix Nmecha, ht), Colin Rosler, Cameron Humphreys, Tyreke Wilson, Iker Pozo, Jeremie Frimpong, Tommy Doyle, Lorenzo Gonzales (Nabil Touaizi, 73), Adrian Bernabe, Benjamin Garre.

Subs not used: Cieran Slicker, Eric Garcia, Nathanael Ogbeta.

Swans: Josh Gould, Tyler Reid, Brandon Cooper, Tom Price (Daniel Williams, 88), Cian Harries (capt), Ben Cabango, Simon Paulet, Kees De Boer, Liam Cullen, Keiran Evans (Adam King, ht), Mason Jones-Thomas.

Subs not used: Gregor Zabret, Marco Dulca, Jack Withers.