City comfortably controlled possession in the first half and the pressure paid off as Ndala’s strike went in off the crossbar to give us the lead.
We were unfortunate not to add to our tally after the break, whilst the visitors were unable to take their opportunities in the latter stages, to give us our ninth win in a row.
WHAT HAPPENED
The conditions were near perfect at the Academy Stadium, where the sun was shining as we got under way looking to extend our eight-game winning strike in the league.
The first chance of the game fell to Matty Whittingham as he tried his luck from the edge of the box, but his curling effort went just over the crossbar.
Momentum built up for our young charges, as we pushed the Toffees back into their half, but they proved a tough nut to crack with their physical presence testing us in midfield.
Our pressure finally paid off on 33 minutes, when Ndala was found free in the box and broke the deadlock with a turn and shot that went in off the crossbar.
Liam Smith and Will Dickson were presented with more half chances but were unable to capitalise before half-time.
City’s Kian Breckin and Everton’s Emilo Lawerance both saw efforts go wide in the opening minutes of the second half, which set the tone for the rest of the match.
The visitors were proving to be a much harder test as they threw more men forward to square the game, but it was City who created the better chances.
With Ben Wilkinson‘s side unable to find a second goal, Everton made it a nervy finish with two headed opportunities going high and wide from set plays, which ensured City saw out a professional victory to claim another three points.
HOW WE LINED UP
George Murray-Jones was selected as the goalkeeper for this match with Rico Lewis (C), Isaiah Dada-Mascoll, Max Alleyne and Whittingham protecting him in defence.
Mo Susoho anchored the midfield with Breckin and Josh Adam playing further forward in the engine room.
Dickson returned to the starting line-up as the sole striker with Smith and Ndala supporting him on the flanks.
Manchester City Under-18s
Starting XI: Murray-Jones, Lewis (C), Dada-Mascoll, Alleyne, Whittingham, Breckin, Susoho, Adam, Smith, Dickson, Ndala
Subs: Carrington, McNamara, Barrington, Ogwuru, Oboavwoduo
Everton Under-18s
Starting XI: Nash, Dixon, Wilson, Campbell, Samuels-Smith, Djankpata, Jagne, Lawerence, Heath, Barker, Sherif
Subs: Stewart, Wright, Okoronkwo, Apter, Smikle-James
WHAT IT MEANS
The win sends us seven points clear of second placed Liverpool to further cement our place at the top of the Under-18 Premier League North.
WHAT NEXT
Our Under-18s are back in action next Saturday as we travel to Nottingham Forest.
Kick-off is set for 13:00 (UK).
