After a battling start to proceedings, we broke the Middlesbrough defence as a ball was swung into Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, who smashed home on the half volley.
City stepped up another gear, as we forced the visitor’s goalkeeper into a mistake, and Nico O’Reilly was on hand to capitalise with a composed finish.
Justin Oboavwoduo added his name to the scoresheet after the hour mark, finishing off a swift counterattack.
Ajay Matthews got a goal back for the visitors with a sensational strike from far out, but Oboavwoduo scored late to secure us the three points.
WHAT HAPPENED
With second-placed Sunderland beating Nottingham Forest in the early kick off, we knew three points would be vital to keep a gap between ourselves and the Wearside outfit.
This reflected our quick start to the match, with Jahmai Dada-Ruprecht shooting from range early to test Nathan Fisher’s resolve in the Middlesbrough goal.
It was then Alfie Harrison’s attempt at scoring the breakthrough, but Fisher was there again with a low diving save.
Before, a smooth give and go between Nico O’Reilly and Joel Ndala led to the latter shooting straight at Boro’s shot stopper.
Lee Cattermole’s side provided a threat on counterattack, as Ajay Matthews raced forward, only to be denied by Max Alleyne’s brave block.
The deadlock was soon to be broken, as a ball was swung in from the left to the back post, where Farid Alfa-Ruprecht was there to hit the ball on the half volley and fire into the net.
Ben Wilkinson’s side do well to step up a gear after scoring first, and this match was no different.
After the visitors attempted to play out from the back, our attacking three did excellently to press the goalkeeper into an error by smacking the ball at his own player.
O’Reilly picked up the loose ball and rolled it into the opposite corner, to hand City a comfortable lead going into the break.
We started the second half like the first, as substitute Matty Whittingham leaped over challenged before serving it on a pate to Justin Oboavwoduo, who could only direct his shot over the bar.
However, Middlesbrough were making themselves a presence in this tussle on the hour mark, launching crosses into the box which were dealt with calmly by our centre back pairing.
When opposing teams leave spaces at the back, City do well to counter press so effectively and this is how we broke Boro’s defence for the third time.
Alfa-Ruprecht ran with space down the right, his shot was denied, but Oboavwoduo reclaimed the ball and fired past Fisher.
Moments later, City switched off as we lost the ball in our own third.
Matthews struck from distance as the ball looped over True Grant, onto the crossbar and into the net, to give the visitors an avenue back into the game.
After a long spell of the two teams battling for possession, Oboavwoduo found himself through on goal after a lovely pass through to him, as he chipped the ball into the net to end
HOW WE LINED UP
True Grant was selected between the sticks for this one, with a back four of Jacob Wright, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Max Alleyne, and Kane Taylor protecting him.
Isaiah Dada-Mascoll shielded the back four, with Nico O’Reilly and Alfie Harrison playing further ahead in a midfield three.
Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and Joel Ndala took their positions on the flanks, with Justin Oboavwoduo playing as a sole striker.
Manchester City Under-18s
XI: Grant, Wright, Simpson-Pusey, Alleyne, Taylor, O’Reilly (C), Dada-Mascoll, Harrison, Alfa-Ruprecht, Oboavwoduo, Ndala
Subs: Murray-Jones, Naylor, Okeke, Whittingham, Muir
Middlesbrough Under-18s
XI: Fisher, Patterson, Wallace-Ming, Grant, Myers-Smith, Traore, MacCarthy, Bridge (C), Matthews, Cartwright, Lennon
Subs: Coulson, Connor, Scott, Tawiah, Kiasungua
WHAT IT MEANS
Our fifth victory on the spin sees us remain seven points clear at the summit after Sunderland also picked up three points in the earlier kick off. The second-placed Wearside outfit still have three games in hand over us.
WHAT’S NEXT
Today’s match was the beginning of four consecutive matches at home, as we look to build momentum heading into the latter stages of the season. Next weekend we welcome Stoke City to the CFA.
Kick off is scheduled for 11:30 (UK) on Saturday 18 February.
