City U18s extend lead at league summit with emphatic Blackburn triumph

In-form Christian Dunbar-McDonald gave City a deserved lead inside 15 minutes with a trademark right-footed effort from the left.

Xavier Parker then bagged his first-ever Under-18 Premier League North goal, converting from the penalty spot following the foul on him by Rovers goalkeeper Harry Holt.

Floyd Samba made it three just before the break, firing home a clinical free-kick to leave Rovers frustrated.

City continued to ooze class, composure and energy in the second half. Substitute Dexter Oliver forced an error at the back, and it saw him rewarded with his first goal in blue.

Parker made it five, tapping home the rebound after Dunbar-McDonald saw his brilliant effort saved on 69 minutes.

The performance was topped off with City earning a fifth clean sheet in the league as we extend our winning run to nine in all competitions.

WHAT HAPPENED

City were quick off the mark in our first league game of 2026.

Tyrone Samba won a penalty on seven minutes, after the number 10 was tripped just inside the box.

However, Rovers shot stopper Holt guessed the correct way, diving to his right to deny T. Samba from giving City an early lead from the spot.

Our young boys in blue would not be denied again, though. With our next shot on target, Dunbar-McDonald fired City ahead with an outstanding finish for his sixth in five league appearances.

City continued to pile on the pressure against a flustered Rovers side.

Dunbar-McDonald looked to set Parker through on goal, but the 15-year-old was brought down by Holt for City’s second penalty of the match.

Parker placed his penalty into the bottom right corner, doubling City’s lead on 21 minutes.

Reiss’ youngsters dominated possession and limited Rovers to a handful of chances, with City holding firm at the back.

At the other end of the pitch, City were enjoying a number of chances. F. Samba topped off a dominant first half with a goal of his own to complete the opening 45 minutes.

His brother, Tyrone, was fouled 25 yards out. And F. Samba curled the free-kick in at the near post for his 11th in 10 league games.

After a mix-up at the back by Blackburn, substitute Oliver pounced on the opportunity to find an early fourth in the second half. 

The midfielder dispatched a clinical finish from close range on 56 minutes for his first league goal for the Club.

Parker continued to impress on his first league start, and it saw him earn his second goal of the day. Dunbar-McDonald’s rebound was parried kindly into his path, allowing him to tap home with ease.

And he almost got his first-ever competitive hat-trick seconds later.

The 15-year-old made a confident run down the left and went straight for goal. His shot looked set to sneak into the bottom left corner, but Rovers goalkeeper Holt got down just in time to deny City a deserved sixth.

Our young boys in blue carved out a couple of late chances, but it ended 5-0 in what was another eye-catching performance by Reiss’ side.

HOW WE LINED UP

Blackburn Rovers XI | Holt, Odogun (Pitt 55’), Low, Decandia, Kelley-Quinn, Ball (Walls 46’), Mccoy, Lister (Clanford 71’), Higgins (Cryer 63’), Mansbridge, Sergeant.

UNUSED SUBS | Wolsoncroft.

CITY XI | Hudson, Headley (Obin 62’), Drake, Barrett, Tevenan, Miles (Whisker 75’), F. Samba, Gorman (Midwood 62’), X. Parker, T. Samba (Oliver 46’), Dunbar-McDonald.

UNUSED SUBS | Vickery.

AS A RESULT

City move seven points clear at the top of the Under-18 Premier League North table, with two games in hand over second-place Manchester United.

UP NEXT

Our attention now turns to a vital home clash with Newcastle United.

We welcome the third-place team to the City Football Academy on Saturday 31 January, with kick-off set for 12:30 (UK).

The game will be available to watch live on CITY+ on mancity.com and the Official Man City App.