City's EDS beat Southampton to secure Premier League 2 crown

Divin Mubama’s early sixth minute strike allied to a 39th minute Ashton Muir header were enough to secure the title for Ben Wilkinson’s young charges at the Joie Stadium.

It represented a fourth PL2 title in five years for City’s Under-21s – and followed hard on the heels of the Blues finishing top of the 2024/25 league phase.

And fittingly, the title success was achieved with City once again demonstrating the brand of swashbuckling, vibrant attacking football that has been the hallmark of our collective success this term.

What happened

After 10 months’ hard work and sacrifice for City’s Under-21s the battle for PL2 supremacy all came down to a defining Thursday night showdown with the young Saints at the Joie Stadium.

Having topped the PL2 table across the regular season and then navigated their way through three tough play-off assignments against Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United, the final represented a chance to sign off the 2024/25 campaign in truly memorable fashion for Wilkinson’s side.

But it was the visitors with the first meaningful chance of the night, full back Derrick Abu blazing over from 15 yards out after fine work from Romeo Akachukwu had created a pocket of space on the right edge of the Blues box.

However, within 60 seconds City responded in the best possible fashion, taking a crucial early lead through danger man Mubama.

The striker had proved City’s match winner in all three of our previous play-off games and demonstrated his predatory instincts once again when it mattered.

Charlie Gray intercepted an attempted Saints pass out from the back and found the advancing Mubama with a fine 25-yard first-time ball into the heart of the visitors’ box.

And Mubama needed no second invitation to turn and drill a superb shot in off the foot of the post for what was his sixth goal in our four play-off encounters.

It was the perfect start for Wilkinson’s troops and the City youngsters then threatened again on 11 minutes with Stephen Mfuni meeting an arcing Muir corner only for Southampton to bundle his header off the line.

Saints put themselves under pressure once more on 25 minutes when a back pass from Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh to keeper Josh McNamara in the box earned City an indirect free-kick six yards out from goal.

Gray teed up Mubama again, but this time the striker’s effort was blocked by a posse of red and white shirts with Saints packing all 11 bodies on the line.

City looked smooth, assured and accomplished at every turn though Saints were a threat too, both on the break and at set pieces in what was a high-quality affair.

It was the hosts largely in the ascendancy though and City’s threat and persistence was rewarded again with a fine second goal on 39 minutes from Muir.

Max Alleyne was the architect this time, the central defender demonstrating his technique with a delicious 30-yard pinpoint drive into the heart of the Saints box.

Muir rose highest to meet the ball and head past McNamara from six yards out to double the advantage.

City’s control and territorial dominance continued after the break as the hosts sought what would be a defining third goal.

Matty Henderson-Hall was denied twice in the space of a minute just after the hour mark but McNamara as City sought to further intensify the pressure.

Saints kept pressing to their credit and substitute Baylee Dipepa caused brief alarm with a 12 yard effort that whistled just wide on 75 minutes.

However, City were not to be denied, keeping our discipline and focus to claim a deserved victory - and with it the title.

How we lined up

Spike Brits was in goal and shielded by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Max Alleyne, skipper Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Stephen Mfuni.

Charlie Gray was City’s holding midfielder with Jaden Heskey and Michael Okeke also in the engine room.

Divin Mubama was our attacking focal point with Ashton Muir and Matty Henderson-Hall providing the attacking width.

EDS XI: Brits, Samuel, Alleyne, Simpson-Pusey (c), Mfuni, Gray, J Heskey, Okeke (Mukasa 70), Muir, Mubama, Henderson-Hall (Oboavwoduo 78).

Subs: Naylor, Wint, Warhurst.

SOUTHAMPTON: McNamara, Abu, Moore, Payne, Kani Sanda, Bragg (Ehibhatiomhan 77), Akachukwu, O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Ballard, Sesay (Dipepa 62), Larios

Subs: Moody, Ventura-Dobson, Charles.

What it means

City are Premier League 2 champions for the fourth time in five years.

And having also won the league phase too this term in what has been the second season since the new play-off format was introduced, no-one can surely begrudge us the crown.

What’s next

A well-deserved rest and the chance to reflect on what has been a season to savour.

Huge congratulations to Ben, his coaching staff and all of the players on another magnificent achievement.