Carlos Vicens’ side sealed the title with a 1-0 victory over Burnley in our final game of the season, which saw us leapfrog Manchester United to win the league by a single point.
With our local rivals having already completed their campaign, City went into the Clarets clash needing a victory to be crowned champions and the Academy outfit duly obliged with a crucial 75th minute strike from Carlos Borges securing a hard-fought win over the Lancastrians.
It means we have won four of the last six North Division titles and we will now go on to defend the national title we won on a points per game basis last season against Crystal Palace or Fulham, who are battling it out for top spot in the South Division.
The league triumph completes a successful debut campaign for Vicens, who succeeded Gareth Taylor as Lead Coach at the start of this season and guided City to FA Youth Cup glory in November’s delayed 2019/20 final.
Vicens’ youngsters have achieved a remarkable level of consistency throughout the league campaign, winning 19 of our 23 games, whilst our solitary loss was sandwiched between 11 and 12 match unbeaten runs.
Our success was built on brilliance at both ends of the pitch.
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City’s rock-solid defence conceded less than a goal a game to end the campaign with the best record in the country and we have also proven to be the most potent attacking force in the North Division, scoring more goals than any other team.
The Under-18 North title adds to what has been a superb 2020/21 campaign for City’s Academy.
Vicens’ side follow in the footsteps of the Elite Development Squad, who claimed the Club’s first Premier League 2 trophy last month and, with Pep Guardiola’s first team also confirmed as champions, we are the first Club to win an Under-18 league title, the Premier League 2 and the Premier League in the same season.
Everyone at Manchester City congratulates Carlos, the Under-18 squad and staff on this fantastic achievement.
