Ashton Muir scored and provided an assist to guide Manchester City to a 3-0 victory against Stoke City in the Under-18s Premier League North at the CFA.

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht raced down the right, his shot was saved but lay into the path of Ashton Muir who fired in at the far post on the half hour.

Muir was involved again when he cushioned the ball to Tom Galvez, who powered in a ferrous strike two minutes later to put City firmly in the driving seat at the interval.

After the restart, Justin Oboavwoduo broke up play in Stoke’s midfield, spotted their keeper off his line and placed the ball around him and into the net.

The victory was City’s sixth win in a row as we stepped up our pursuit of another title.

WHAT HAPPENED

It was a windy morning at the CFA as the match kicked off, with City knowing another three points at home would be crucial in the title challenge.

We started proceedings on the ascendancy, spraying balls into Stoke’s box in an attempt to grab an early breakthrough.

But it was at the other end, where the first goal nearly came. As Oliver Challinor burst down the right, his floated ball reached the tall Justin Iwobi, but his powerful header was met acrobatically by City keeper True Grant.

Moments later, it was the Potters who threatened again. Challinor, causing trouble down City’s left, let fly from outside the penalty area and it travelled just wide of Grant’s post.

THE BOSS: Watching his side compete.

Lead coach Ben Wilkinson looked looked to urge his side forward from the touchline.

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht weaved into the box and played a delicate through ball to Justin Oboavwoduo, who slid in to reach it but it was cleared out by the visitors.

The German winger was away again down the right, his thunderous strike could only be pushed to the side by Ben Houston, and Ashton Muir was there to smash in the opener on the half an hour mark.

City went up another gear and scored again only two minutes later. Neat build up play on the edge of the area resulted in Tom Galvez taking aim and meeting the back of net to get the important second goal.

GALVEZ GOAL: Tom Galvez scores a beauty to smash in City's second of the day!

The visitors had a late free kick that Josh Brickerton struck, but it went just wide as City took the advantage going into half time.

Stoke pushed on at the beginning of the second half. Iwobi bundled his way through, only to be stopped by his opposite number when Isaiah Dada-Mascoll stepped in.

Justin Oboavwoduo disposed Stoke in the midfield and spotted their keeper off his line, as he rolled the ball around him as it trickled into the back of the net.

Matty Whittingham had the opportunity to swing the ball into the box again through a free kick, which bobbled up into the keeper’s grateful palms as our young charges kept up the pressure.

TAKING AIM: Justin Oboavwoduo spots Stoke's keeper off his line, before curling the ball around him to secure our third goal.

As Stoke City shirts pushed forward, space was left for City to spring attacks, which they pursued in the latter stages of the match. Oboavwoduo was played through by Whittingham, who had been moved to the wing, but his shot flashed across goal.

Muir nearly grabbed us a fourth on a counterattack, but he stumbled at the last seconds, taking his effort high and wide of the target.

HOW WE LINED UP

True Grant kept his place between the posts, with Rhys Thomas, Isaiah Dada-Mascoll, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Tom Galvez shielding him in a back four.

Jacob Wright returned to a central defensive midfield role after a stint at right back, with Michael Okeke and Matty Whittingham completing the midfield three.

Justin Oboavwoduo kept his place as sole striker after some fine form, supported by Faird Alfa-Ruprecht and Ashton Muir on the wings.

Manchester City Under-18s

XI | Grant, Thomas, Dada-Mascoll, Simpson-Pusey, Galvez, Okeke, Wright, Whittingham, Alfa-Ruprecht, Oboavwoduo, Muir

SUBS | Wint, Naylor, Harrison, Gray, Heskey

Stoke City Under-18s

XI | Houston, Mears, Grogan, Griffin, Bickerton, Challinor, Sidbe, Smith, Hayder, Watson, Iwobi

SUBS | Laird, Lusakueno, Maskall, Walker, Zeiten

BEING PUT THROUGH THE PACES: The starting eleven preparing for the match

WHAT IT MEANS

Our sixth win on the bounce keeps us seven points clear of Sunderland, who beat Tees-Wear rivals Middlesbrough earlier. However, the Wearside outfit have three games in hand over us in the title race.

During our winning streak, we have also scored 23 goals and conceded only once.

WHAT’S NEXT

Our run of homes fixtures continues next weekend as we play host to Liverpool in the league.

Kick off is scheduled for 11:30 (UK) on Saturday 25 February.

The game will also be available to CITY+ and Recast subscribers.

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