City return to winning ways after scintillating performance over Wolves

Goals from Emilio Lawrence, Matty Whittingham (2), Justin Oboavwoduo, Tomas Galvez, Joel Ndala, Alfie Harrison and Ashton Muir ensured all three points in this hugely entertaining contest on home soil.

We moved top of the table as the final whistle blew although the Black Cats returned to the summit following the conclusion of their 4-0 win away at Liverpool, which kicked off half an hour later than ours.

The win certainly put down a marker, though - and also saw us return to winning ways in clinical fashion after our draw with the Wearsiders in our last match.

WHAT HAPPENED

After an even opening period, City took the lead in the seventh minute when Emilio Lawrence latched on an accurate ball behind the Wolves defence, took a touch and slammed it low across goal and into the bottom corner.

The speedy winger almost turned provider shortly after when he again made use of the space down the flank and slid the ball across the face of goal where a stretching Justin Oboavwoduo tapped wide after doing well to reach it.

Matty Whittingham has come of age for our Under-18s so far this season, while playing a variety of positions, and he doubled our lead when a neat finish from close range after the ball fell to him inside the box.

And the versatile midfielder had his second of the game seven minutes after his first when he coolly slotted home after he and Joel Ndala combined expertly for the second time in the match.

In what was an electric first 25 minutes by City, Oboavwoduo extended our lead further when he showed his poacher’s instinct to direct the ball home after it had deflected across the goal mouth.

After an impressive first half, we almost added to our advantage five minutes after the break when Tomas Galvez weaved into the box, but fired his effort into the side netting.

Galvez showcased his immense attacking ability by breaking into the box and poking home Ashton Muir‘s low cross.

Only two minutes later, Ndala got in on the act when he cut inside the box on his right and curled a beautiful effort into the bottom corner.

He then turned architect shortly after as City scored our seventh by weaving down the wing and cutting the ball back to Alfie Harrison - whose calm side foot effort found its way past Jimmy Storer.

Despite the scoreline Wolves continued to attack, and almost pulled a goal back when Finn Ashworth drove towards the box and teed up Ty Barnett, whose thunderous effort crashed into the crossbar. 

But it was City who got the eighth and final goal of the game when Muir fired home from close range. 

HOW WE LINED UP

City XI: Grant, Carrington, Smith (Dada-Mascoll 46’), Alleyne, Galvez (62’), Wright, Lawrence (Muir 46’), O’Reilly (C) (Harrison 62’), Oboavwoduo, Whittingham, Ndala

Substitutes: Wint

Sunderland XI: Storer, Gidaree, Clarke, White, Carson (Ji 34’), Igbinoghene, Ashworth (Barnett 62’), Bradbury, Salmon, Edozie, Paterson

Substitutes: Diamonde, Scicluna 

WHAT IT MEANS

We applied further pressure to table toppers Sunderland as we remain three points behind the Black Cats.

The victory raises our points total at this stage to 20 points and alters our record to six wins, two draws and two losses, while enhancing our goal difference to +22

UP NEXT

Our Under-18s are back in action on Tuesday 6 December with a trip to Nottingham Forest in the league, kick off scheduled for 13:30pm (UK).

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And you can watch the action unfold live on CITY+ and Recast!