Five-star City cruise past Liverpool to extend lead at U18 PL summit

A clever backheel finish from early substitute Matty Warhurst gave City a deserved lead against a Liverpool outfit that has struggled for form this season.

Less than a minute into the second half, Warhurst doubled City’s advantage with a lovely left-footed finish before Reigan Heskey bagged his own brace from a free-kick and penalty. 

To top off a clinical showing, Kian Noble added his name to the scoresheet in added time with a composed finish at the back post.

Our 19th successive league win means City move five points clear of Manchester United, who have one game in hand.

WHAT HAPPENED

City travelled to a damp Merseyside for our latest league assignment, following our FA Youth Cup semi-final win over Watford.

Looking to use our cup success as motivation, a slightly rotated Under-18s contingent looked ready and focused on securing another vital win in our push for the league title.

After a tame 20 minutes, a pause in play saw City lose a creative spark in Divine Mukasa, who was forced off through a head injury and concussion protocol.

City, however, were able to adapt to the loss of the No. 10 as Christian Dunbar-McDonald moved centrally, Luca Fletcher took up the role as right winger and substitute Matty Warhurst led the line.

Dunbar-McDonald did well to draw a foul on the left when play resumed and R. Heskey fired the free-kick towards the near post with Warhurst pulling off a fantastic backheel to guide the ball home on 24 minutes.

The hosts managed to shift momentum in the closing stages of the first half but were unable to test Oliver Whatmuff in the City goal. In turn, Liverpool’s pressure allowed Reiss’s side to counter the Reds’ high line with Warhurst coming closest to adding to our advantage before the break.

Reiss’ troops came charging out the gate after the break and it took City just 22 seconds to double the lead.

Harrison Parker played a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Warhurst, who looked like he’d been forced too far right.

But the striker took Liverpool by surprise as he turned on to his weak foot, curling the ball into the top left corner with a clinical left-footed finish.

10 minutes later, Heskey turned from provider to scorer. He netted his 16th league goal with a thumping free-kick at the near post as City affirmed our place in the driving seat.

DJ Esdaille clipped Heskey’s heels on 62 minutes after the City winger tried to latch on to Noble’s through ball. The Liverpool defender was booked as referee Joe Cunningham pointed to the penalty spot and Heskey converted the spot kick.

With goal difference a potential factor in the race against Manchester United for the league title, Reiss continued to rally his team from the sidelines, encouraging his players to carve out more chances.

Substitute Kylan Midwood flaunted his speed on the right on 83 minutes as he sent a high ball across the Liverpool box. Heskey met the ball and attempted a ranged, first-time finish, but he was denied his first league hat-trick of the campaign by Hall in the Reds goal.

At the death, Noble picked up a deep cross towards the back post and fired the ball off the inside of the far post and into the back of Liverpool’s net to confirm our 19th successive league win of the season, as we move one step close to the North title.

HOW WE LINED UP

Oliver Whatmuff wore the No. 1 shirt and was accompanied by a strong, tall defensive line of Harrison Parker, Kian Noble, Leke Drake and Kaden Braithwaite.

Harrison Miles, Finlay Gorman and Divin Mukasa completed City’s midfield.

And up top, Luca Fletcher led our line with Reigan Heskey and Dunbar-McDonald adding quick, attacking threat on the wings.

LIVERPOOL XI | Hall, Esdaille, Williams, Owen, Enahoro-Marcus, Lonmeni (Airoboma 70’), O’Connor, Ayman, Sonni-Lambie, Onanuga (Cisse 83’), Ahmed (Martin 88’).

UNUSED SUBS | Bernard, Bradshaw.  

CITY XI | Whatmuff, Parker, Noble, Drake (Courtman 69’), Braithwaite, Miles (Fapetu 77’), Dunbar-McDonald, Gorman, Fletcher (Midwood 70’), Mukasa (Warhurst 22’), R. Heskey.

UNUSED SUBS | Hudson.  

WHAT IT MEANS

City move five points clear of title contenders and neighbours Manchester United who have one game in hand.

Just nine points are left up for grabs as we look to claim our fourth Under-18 Premier League North title in five years.

Our final three fixtures will see us take on Middlesbrough, Derby and Newcastle.

UP NEXT

It’s a quick turnaround for our young boys in blue who now prepare to face Middlesbrough on Saturday 19 April.

Kick-off at the City Football Academy is scheduled for 12:00 (UK). And our penultimate home game of 2024/25 is available to watch live on CITY+.