Manchester City Under-18s retained the Premier League North title over the weekend, seeing off the challenge of Manchester United
Kylan Midwood of Manchester City during the FA Youth Cup fourth round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Joie Stadium on January 16, 2026
Kylan Midwood scored a hat-trick as Manchester City beat Derby County 5-3 to secure the Under-18 Premier League North title
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Manchester City have a clutch of talented players progressing through the ranks at the Etihad, borne out by the Under-18s securing their second successive Premier League North title on Saturday.
Oli Reiss' side beat Derby 5-3 at the City Football Academy and were crowned champions shortly after the final whistle when news filtered through that challengers Manchester United had been beaten by Newcastle United.
The Under-18s now move into the national final against Chelsea while they also have a Youth Cup final against United to look forward to. In a hugely talented group, where 16-year-old striking sensation Teddie Lamb often hogs the headlines, it was forward Kylan Midwood who starred at the weekend.
He hit a hat-trick against Derby to take his tally to seven goals in four games and impressed with his clinical finishing and work-rate. The 17-year-old has been working hard behind the scenes in training, taking in extra sessions in a bid to improve and that effort is paying off.
Midwood, who joined City's academy from Sheffield United at Under-15 level, is at his best in wide areas and has a natural ability to move the ball quickly and beat his man. His attributes were on full show as City overcame the challenge of a dangerous Derby team to earn a second successive title.
And for all his delight in netting a hat-trick, Midwood is not losing sight of the bigger picture.
"It was a tough game and not what we expected," he told the Manchester Evening News. "They pressed really well and were very aggressive but we had to work against that and come away with the three points. I am buzzing with my hat-trick, I couldn't have asked for much more, but the most important thing is we won the game and won the league.
"I think we definitely deserve the title, it has been a good season. Like any season there has been ups and downs but I think we have dominated the league and shown that today."