Manchester City Under-21s are Premier League 2 champions for a record-breaking fourth time.
Ben Wilkinson’s charges defeated Southampton’s U21s 2-0 at the Joie Stadium to cap off a superb season in which they finished the campaign top of the table.
The prolific Divin Mubama opened the scoring for Manchester City U21s with a sixth-minute strike.
Ashton Muir then made it 2-0 with a header in the 39th minute to put the Citizens out of reach of the Saints.
The result meant City have now won four of the last five Premier League 2 titles, showcasing the might of the club’s academy.
City first-team manager Pep Guardiola sent a message to the U21s and their coaches in the wake of their victory on Thursday night.
Photo by Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates/Getty Images
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Pep Guardiola hails Manchester City Under-21s’ talent, courage and personality
Guardiola was eager to congratulate Wilkinson and his players for the “wonderful achievement” as he hailed the players’ talent, “courage and personality”.
Guardiola said, as per the City website: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the players along with Ben and his staff on what is a wonderful achievement.
“To win the Premier League title is such a tough thing to achieve and a matter of huge pride for us all at the Club.
“The manner of their victory showed how talented our young players are and also proved that they play with courage and personality too.
“We see how strong the Academy is every single day, and the quality is there every single time the young players train with us.
“I hope they enjoy this achievement because it is a reward for everyone’s hard work and commitment across the season.”
What Manchester City academy director Thomas Kruecken has said about U21s’ Premier League 2 triumph
Academy director Thomas Kruecken was also delighted with City’s latest triumph, their first under the new playoff format.
“To become Premier League 2 champions is a magnificent achievement for Ben, the players, the staff and everyone connected to the Academy,” said Kruecken.
“Everyone has shown their quality day in, day out both in helping us to win the PL2 league phase and then successfully coming through the play-off rounds.
“Our Under-21s have also served as the benchmark for the style of play we want all our age groups to adopt here at the Academy.
“But the achievement would not have been possible without the hard work of every single person who strives to help make us better as an Academy.
“It makes me so proud to see the amazing work our staff do every single day. Being crowned champions is a fantastic achievement which caps a great year for the Academy.”