Reigan Heskey fired City ahead early with the hosts scrambling to find their feet in the game.
And shortly after the 20-minute mark Ryan McAidoo doubled our advantage with a ranged strike before Divine Mukasa’s goal topped off a fantastic opening 45 minutes.
Second half goals from Matty Warhurst, Dan Batty and Luca Fletcher put City well out of reach before a Logan Edmundson own-goal completed an emphatic victory on the road.
WHAT HAPPENED
With City undefeated in our last 10 league encounters with Middlesbrough, and also on an impressive run of form – five consecutive wins in all competitions – Oliver Reiss’s side were champing at the bit to get back out on the grass and continue building on the previous performances.
And it took the young boys in blue just 10 minutes to do just that and take the lead.
Divine Mukasa was the provider, seeing his ball nodded home by Heskey from inside the six-yard box.
It would be Ryan McAidoo who extended our lead. The winger cut inside, from the right, onto his favoured left foot. His shot from the outside of the Middlesbrough box soared into the top right corner on 22 minutes.
In the minutes prior, Femi Fapetu and Dan Batty saw their efforts saved by Oliver Lloyd as City enjoyed long spells of possession.
Midfielder Mukasa put City three goals to the good on the brink of half-time.
The favour was returned by Heskey who this time set-up Mukasa who placed his left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.
His goal topped off a clinical, impressive opening 45 minutes by the Under-18s who held 71% possession and registered six out of 10 shots on target.
With City’s defensive line denying Middlesbrough of having any shots on target too, it was one of the most impressive first half outings of the season so far.
And if three first-half goals weren’t enough, try four in the second half!
Goal difference could play a huge role in deciding the title winners this season and it was clearly something on Reiss and his squad’s mind as the second half began.
After chances for both teams, Warhurst made it four on 56 minutes. McAidoo’s cross was met by the rising striker who nodded home for his ninth goal in all competitions.
Midfielder Dan Batty became our fifth different goal scorer of the afternoon on the hour mark. His clinical close-range finish was teed up by substitute Brooklyn Nfonkeu.
A flurry of substitutes by both teams saw the intensity of the game rise to new levels. But it would be City who profited the most.
Luca Fletcher, who took to the pitch two minutes prior, fired a shot into the bottom right corner in the 64th minute to make it an impressive six for City.
A final nail in the coffin for hosts Boro saw a seventh find the back of the net as a Logan Edmundson own-goal 12 minutes before full-time completed our captivating performance.
And credit to City’s unfamiliar back four, which included midfielders Seth Chingwaro and Charlie Courtman, who helped Reiss’s side pick up a fourth clean sheet in five.
HOW WE LINED UP
Max Hudson was named as City’s goalkeeper and worked with a back four of Seth Chingwaro, Charlie Courtman, Kian Noble and Kaden Braithwaite.
In midfield, Femi Fapetu was partnered with Divine Mukasa and Dan Batty.
And leading City’s front line, in-form Matty Warhurst was supported by also in-form duo Reigan Heskey and Ryan McAidoo on either side.
MIDDLESBROUGH XI | Lloyd, Parker, Edmundson, Woodhouse, Acheampong, Givenson (Scott 61’), Greenup, Coulson, Hamelberg (Harrison 46’), Nino (Smith 64’), Dore (O’Gorman 79’).
SUBS | O’Gorman, Richarldson.
CITY XI | Hudson, Chingwaro, Courtman, Noble (Miles 62’), Braithwaite, Fapetu, McAidoo (Nfonkeu 59’), Batty, Warhurst (Fletcher 62’), Mukasa, Heskey (Midwood 75’).
SUBS | -
WHAT IT MEANS
City remain third in the league standings.
And now have an impressive goal difference of +23 after seven games.
UP NEXT
November will begin with an exciting and highly anticipated clash with Liverpool.
The game will kick-off at 11:30 (UK) on Saturday 2 November.
And the match at the City Football Academy will be available to watch live on CITY+.
