City U18s earn important comeback win over Everton

After an even opening 45 minutes, City upped the ante in the second half.

But despite dominating possession, Everton took the lead through Malik Olayiwola, who slotted home a low-driven shot just after the hour mark.

Oliver Reiss’ side retaliated almost instantly, with Dante Headley tapping home at the back post four minutes later.

Floyd Samba won a penalty after a foul in the box and then converted the resulting spot-kick to earn City another three important points.

The triumph saw our youngsters earn a seventh successive win in all competitions to top off 2025 in style.

WHAT HAPPENED

For the final time in 2025, City’s Under-18s took centre stage on a sunny, but cold Saturday morning.

The first half flew by, with both teams having half-chances, but neither could convert.

Christian Dunbar-McDonald, Floyd Samba and Dante Headley linked up well on the right, but Everton defended strongly as Reiss’ side tried to find the breakthrough.

At the other end of the pitch, the Toffees showcased their threat on the counter.

A long ball to Ceiran Loney saw him run goal-bound, but a comfortable Ben Vickery catch denied Everton the lead in what was the best chance for either side in the first half.

A change in personnel at the interval saw Dunbar-McDonald move over to the left for the second half, the side we’ve seen him flourish on this season.

He sent a warning shot into Everton goalkeeper Douglass Lukjanciks on 55 minutes, with City now trying to find space on that opposite flank.

But it was the visitors who took the lead on 62 minutes.

Olayiwola picked up Vickery’s misplaced pass, and the midfielder slotted the ball under the City goalkeeper.

The Blues replied almost instantly. Harrison Miles saw his ranged, low effort fizz just wide of the left post before Headley levelled.

Dunbar-McDonald played a low ball across the face of the Everton goal, from the left, and the full-back turned winger tapped home after the Toffees failed to clear the danger.

City then took the lead from the penalty spot. F. Samba earned our young boys in blue the spot kick and then converted with ease as the game’s intensity continued to rise. 

Everton’s high press saw Ademide Akarakiri win the ball in City’s box. Vickery got down low quickly to make a vital save that denied the midfielder from drawing the Toffees level with 15 minutes left to play.

City showed composure and maturity for the rest of the match, seeing out the game to confirm victory at the City Football Academy. 

TEAMS

CITY XI | Vickery, Headley, Courtman, Drake, Tevenan, Miles, Dunbar-McDonald, F. Samba, Midwood, Oliver (Wain 46’), T. Samba.

SUBS | Hudson, Holt, Wain, Whisker, Martin.

EVERTON XI | Lukjanciks, Matos, Poland, Evans, Mceveley, Akarakiri, Stewart (Robert 61’), Olayiwola, Loney, Pita, Wren.

SUBS | Patrick, Billington, Aduba, Okorie.

AS A RESULT

We end 2025 four points clear at the top of the Under-18 Premier League North table.

UP NEXT

City’s Academy will now have a break from fixtures over the festive period.

Reiss’ side will return to action on Saturday 10 January, with our trip to Leeds United set for a 12:00 (UK) kick-off.