Former ball boy Micah Hamilton and fellow youngster Oscar Bobb scored goals as a much-transformed Manchester City finished off the Champions League group stage with a 3-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade.
Kalvin Phillips also joined the 20-year-old pair on a second-half penalty after manager Josep Guardiola rotated his squad for the Group G dead rubber at the Radziko Mitic Stadium.
Manchester-born academy product Hamilton made his debut with a fine strike in the 19th minute, before Norwegian Bob added his second goal in the 62nd minute, replacing compatriot Erling Haaland up front.
Hwang In-beom pulled one back, but after a foul on Hamilton, Phillips scored his first goal for City for City and there was some breathing room, before Alexander Katai headed home the winner late on. Ta.
Full time | 6 races, 6 wins @Champions League Group stage!
2-3 #mancity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/rP3qQjPiPv
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 13, 2023
As a result, City, who had already secured top spot, ended the group stage with a maximum of 18 points, while winless Red Star finished in last place.
City face Crystal Palace before traveling to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup next week, so Guardiola has not only given Hamilton and Bob a chance, but also brought in fringe players such as Stefan Ortega and Phillips. Ta.
Despite making nine changes in total, Red Star initially lacked momentum and Red Star carved out their first chance when Osman Bukhari’s shot was blocked by John Stones.
However, City still controlled the majority of possession and Hamilton made the most of his first real attack.
Jack Grealish pulled out Matheus Nunez and the Portuguese began his attack by cutting inside from the right past Hamilton.
Hamilton darted into the area, beat Red Star captain Aleksandar Dragovic on the outside and fired an angled shot into the top corner.
The hosts fought back with Kosta Nedeljkovic narrowly turning the ball back in the box, but City threatened again when Bobb’s shot was blocked.
Hamilton almost scored another goal when Bob delivered a dangerous low ball from the right, but Bob missed the far post. Phillips got off to an unusual start, hitting a shot wide of the target.
Hamilton came close to scoring again early in the second half with a low shot that missed the target, but City needed Ortega to keep it level.
The German first made a good reaction save to deny Cherif Ndiayi’s volley from close range, then pushed away Guerol Kanga’s solid strike from distance.
Bob then took center stage, doubling City’s lead just after the hour mark. He won the ball back from Rico Ruiz, denied the return pass, misfooted a defender with a weaving run and slipped a low finish inside the far post.
Red Star fought back and after Jovan Mijatovic hit the post, Juan combined with Bukari to beat Ortega with a low blow to close the gap.
However, five minutes after Hamilton was brought down by Nasser Dziga, Phillips made no mistake from the spot and Katai made it clear in stoppage time when he headed in Red Star’s second goal.