City moved three points clear at the top of the Under-18 Premier League North table after an emphatic 4-0 triumph at Nottingham Forest.
Looking to build on our midweek triumph over Sunderland, City took the lead inside the opening five minutes through Kylan Midwood for his second in as many games.
Christian Dunbar-McDonald quickly added his name to the scoresheet with a fine finish of his own, marking his return to full fitness with two goals in one week.
City needed less than three minutes of the second half as Teddie Lamb made it three with a close-range header to put us firmly in the driving seat.
And just before the final whistle, Midwood got his second on a sunny afternoon in the Midlands that confirmed our league double over Forest.
The victory on the road means City are now three points clear of second-place Manchester United with four league games left to play.
SUPER STRIKE : Kyland Midwood gives City the lead.
WHAT HAPPENED
Since City’s previous encounter, which saw Oliver Reiss’ side run rampant in a 6-0 triumph, Forest have climbed the league standings to fourth.
With that in mind, as the game got under way at the Nigel Doughty Academy, City knew a difficult test awaited.
But, determined to move three points clear of title challengers Manchester United, the Blues quickly took an early lead through a ranged Kylan Midwood effort which nestled beautifully into the bottom left corner in the opening three minutes.
DOUBLING OUR LEAD : Christian Dunbar-McDonald make it two.
After prolonged City pressure, Christian Dunbar-McDonald doubled our lead nine minutes later.
The winger carried the ball to the byline before cutting onto his favoured right foot to curl a stunning effort around Forest goalkeeper Xander Grieves with the hosts already looking deflated.
City continued to carve out half chances for the remainder of the half, which also saw a penalty claim fall on deaf ears when Dante Headley felt he was fouled in the Forest box.
MIDFIELD MAESTRO : Finlay Gorman pulling all the strings.
Reiss’ side showed no sign of slowing down when the second half began.
Lamb headed home a well-worked corner routine which saw City switch play from the left to the right before the Blues’ striker nodded Charlie Courtman’s cross into the back of the Forest net on 48 minutes.
Dunbar-McDonald and Lamb were both denied by strong saves from Grieves as we looked to extend our gap even further.
Shortly after, at the other end of the pitch, Ben Vickery had to pull off a fantastic, quick-reaction save to deny Forest’s first shot on target from Kalum Thompson near the 70-minute mark.
Midwood rounded the ‘keeper for City’s fourth of the afternoon on the brink of full-time, a deserved final strike to reward our 69% possession as our Blues earn another hard-fought victory which could prove vital in the race for the North title.
CLINICAL : Teddie Lamb heads home for City.
HOW WE LINED UP
FOREST XI | Grieves, Gardner, Whiteley (Lokote 28’), Broomes, Andrews, Nwosu, Samuels (Nolan 84’), Djamna, Balagizi, Schluter (Bradshaw 60’), Thompson.
SUBS | Graham, Maveso.
CITY XI | Vickery, Headley (Wain 74’), Courtman, Drake (Obin 83’), Braithwaite, Miles (Tevenan 83’), Midwood, Gorman, Lamb, T. Samba, Dunbar-McDonald (Cassim 62’).
SUBS | Grigg.
AS A RESULT
Oliver Reiss’ Blues move three points clear of title rivals Manchester United with four league games left to play.
UP NEXT
City now have a week to prepare for our next league assignment.
We welcome Middlesbrough to the City Football Academy on Saturday 25 April, with kick-off in Manchester set for 12:00 (UK).
The game will be available to watch live on mancity.com and the Official Man City App with our usual matchday coverage to follow shortly after full-time.