City’s EDS kickstart 2026 with emphatic Burnley win

A first-half brace from Reigan Heskey was the perfect start to the calendar year for Ben Wilkinson and our EDS.

His two clinical strikes inside the opening 22 minutes had City firmly in the driving seat against a newly-promoted Burnley side who have struggled to find form in the PL2.

Ashton Muir quickly made it three after he headed home R. Heskey’s cross at the back post.

And a brace in three minutes for Justin Oboavwoduo had City oozing confidence.

But an added time strike from Burnley’s Vernon Masara served as a reminder that our young boys in blue would need to remain focused at the back in the second half.

City extended our lead with substitutes Mamad Sangare and Matty Warhurst showcasing their striker’s instincts.

Christian Dunbar-McDonald scored his first PL2 goal of the season to complete the evening as City earned a vital set of three points to see us climb to seventh in the table.

WHAT HAPPENED

Storm Goretti was not going to stop City’s EDS from welcoming 26th-placed Burnley to the Joie Stadium on a freezing cold Friday as we looked to win back-to-back league games for the first time in 2025/26.

The Clarets were compact, with all 10 outfield players positioned deep within their own half when City were in possession and looking to find the pockets to break into.

It took a moment of brilliance from R. Heskey to help our boys in blue find the breakthrough, and ultimately begin a clinical performance by our youngsters.

The 17-year-old picked up the ball from just inside Burnley’s half. Heskey drove at Albert Blackie, beating his man as he broke into the Clarets’ box.

And the winger completed the move by firing his effort in at the far post.

City’s high press was too much for Burnley on 22 minutes, with Wilkinson’s side boosted by the opener.

Muir won back possession in the opponent’s half and played through Oboavwoduo. The number nine got his shot away but was denied by goalkeeper Charlie Casper.

The rebound fell right into the path of R. Heskey who thumped a first-time finish into the back of the Burnley net.

R. Heskey then turned provider, placing a perfect cross in, from the left to the back post, where Muir waited patiently to head home for his first PL2 goal of 2025/26.

Oboavwoduo made it four on 36 minutes. He guided home a beautiful F. Samba cross from the left, the 16-year-old looking right at home in his first PL2 start.

Oboavwoduo then bagged his second, City’s fifth, three minutes later.

The 19-year-old took Kian Noble’s line-breaking pass on the half turn and, whilst Casper did well to get a hand on the ball, Oboavwoduo’s strike was too vicious, as his effort trickled over the line. 

Burnley’s Masara pulled one back for the Clarets to complete the first half and served as a reminder City must remain vigilant in all areas of the pitch.

The second half proved to be a much tamer affair, but City continued to press for more goals, with goal difference a potential factor in deciding the top 16.

Substitute Sangare slotted home on 68 minutes before fellow substitutes Dunbar-McDonald and Warhurst linked up, with the latter sliding home the winger’s cross from the right three minutes later.

City continued to dominate possession and was rewarded with one final goal as Dunbar-McDonald became the fifth different goalscorer of the evening to extend our run to six games unbeaten in all competitions.

WILKINSON REACTION

After the game, Lead Coach Wilkinson provided his thoughts on the exciting performance by his squad:

“It was obviously pleasing to be clinical in front of goal, something we feel we could have been better at all season,” began Wilkinson.

“And the overall manner of the performance was good. Some of the things we wanted before the game were good, especially the counter pressing and reaction to losing the ball.

“So yeah, overall quite a pleasing night. We’re disappointed to concede before half time and felt we were a bit loose in the first half with some of our technical work. But yeah, good night for us.”

DUNBAR-MCDONALD REACTION

Substitute and goalscorer Dunbar-McDonald also provided his thoughts on the emphatic win.

“I love to score, it’s my job to score, so I’m happy I came on and scored to help the team,” said Dunbar-McDonald. 

“Ifeel like the boys who started the game, they set the standard. And me being on the bench I can see the standard. So when I came on I knew exactly what to do and getting a goal and assist, that’s what I want to do.” 

HOW WE LINED UP

CITY XI | Brits, Nfonkeu (Dunbar-McDonald 66’), Noble, Braithwaite, Naylor, Gray (Fapetu 66’), Muir, J. Heskey (Sangare 46’), Oboavwoduo (Warhurst 66’), F. Samba, R. Heskey.

SUBS | Wint.

BURNLEY XI | Casper, Blackie (King 60’), Wilcock (Tweedy 76’) , Campbell, Ashton, Brierley, Scanlon (Leuluai 60’), Clark, Masara (Derbyshire 76’), Johnson (Veevers 60’), Pouani.

AS A RESULT

City climb to seventh in the PL2 table, four points clear of the drop, with 10 League Phase games to go.

UP NEXT

It’s a quick turnaround for Wilkinson and our Under-21s who will now begin preparing for our third outing in the Premier League International Cup.

We welcome RB Leipzig to the Joie Stadium on Wednesday 14 January, with kick-off set for 19:00 (UK).

Fans can buy tickets to attend the game live here.

Alternatively, the match will also be streamed on mancity.com and the Official Man City App for fans with a CITY+ subscription.