Pre-season matches: What we learned from the midweek action

Premier League clubs continued their preparations for 2024/25, with five sides in action on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Man City 3-4 Celtic

What happened?
It was business as usual for 2023/24 Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland as he scored for Man City, but Celtic struck a late winner at the Kenan Memorial Stadium, North Carolina. Oscar Bobb and Maximo Perrone were the other City scorers. See: Man City report

What did we learn?
With 16 of his players absent because of UEFA EURO 2024 duty this summer, Pep Guardiola used 14 academy graduates across the 90 minutes. Jadel Katongo, Joel Ndala, Nico O’Reilly and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey all made their senior debuts. Ederson came on as a second-half replacement for Stefan Ortega, with media reports linking the goalkeeper with a possible move away from City this week.

What did the manager say?
"I saw many good things from the new and old players," Guardiola said. "It wasn’t easy, we have senior players up front and back four eight or nine who are so young. It’s difficult in one department when so many are young but many good things, Oscar and Rico [Lewis] always in a high level."

When do they play next?
City face AC Milan at Yankee Stadium in New York on Saturday 27 July.

Nott'm Forest 2-1 Millwall

What happened?
Goals from Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi in either half maintained Forest's unbeaten start to pre-season. See: Forest report

What did we learn?
Nuno Espirito Santo will hope the knock that forced off summer signing Elliot Anderson in the first half is not serious. Last season's top two Forest goalscorers both netted as Nuno again gave match minutes to all 22 players available.

When do they play next?
Forest play Spanish side Elche on Friday 26 July in Murcia.

Shrewsbury 1-2 Leicester City

What happened?
Leicester recorded a second consecutive 2-1 win as Stephy Mavididi's deflected free-kick and a Kasey McAteer chip came either side of an own goal from Foxes' debutant Caleb Okoli. See: Leicester report

See McAteer's goal

What did we learn?
Okoli's response to his own goal was positive. The new centre-back signed from Atalanta also made an excellent block and showed great positional awareness as a second-half substitute.

What did the manager say?

When do they play next?
Leicester host Italian side Palermo at Chesterfield's SMH Group Stadium on Friday 26 July.

Bordeaux 2-3 Southampton

What happened?
Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Sekou Mara - with a goal against his former club - and an own goal secured back-to-back pre-season wins for Southampton. See: Southampton report

What did we learn?
Free-scoring Saints took their tally to 10 goals in two matches with Wednesday's victory in Girona. Polish goalkeeper Mateusz Lis, who featured in the second half of Friday night's 7-1 win at Eastleigh, was in from the start and played the full 90 minutes.

What did the manager say?

When do they play next?
Southampton play Montpellier in a behind-closed-doors match on Saturday 27 July.

Kashima Antlers 1-5 Brighton

What happened?
Fabian Hurzeler's first match in charge of Brighton ended in victory. Debutant Amario Cozier-Duberry scored twice after goals from Yankuba Minteh - also making his first appearance - Jeremy Sarmiento and Yasin Ayari had put the Seagulls in control. See: Brighton report

What did we learn?
Kaoru Mitoma's first appearance for Brighton since February will be a welcome sight for Hurzeler. The Japan star rattled the woodwork early on and then set up new signing Minteh with a sublime pass for a shot that was well saved. The early signs of a promising partnership between the two was evident.

Minteh's first goal for Brighton

What did the manager say?
"It's a win, and this win gives you self confidence. I don’t think everything was perfect - how we played and how we defended," Hurzeler said. "But what I see is a team who suffered together, who showed a togetherness on the pitch. So when we lost the ball everyone did counter pressing and got behind the ball as quickly as possible."

When do they play next?
Brighton continue their tour of Japan when they play Tokyo Verdy at the National Stadium on Sunday 28 July.