Match Report
The table gap was wide: 21 points between Manchester City U18 (1st, 60 pts) and Sunderland U18 (6th, 39 pts). Sunderland U18's recent output outran their position: 1st on form over five rounds, 6th in the table. Against a league average of 2.07 goals per team per game, Manchester City U18 ran at 3.69 scored and 1.5 conceded, Sunderland U18 at 2.15 and 1.69.
Defeat had not touched Manchester City U18 in 5 games, having scored in 15 consecutive games.
9 meetings are on record — 6 won by Manchester City U18, 2 by Sunderland U18, 1 drawn, at 4 goals per meeting. Whoever hosts gains little here: home teams have taken just 33% of the wins in this fixture. Goals tend to flow: 67% of the meetings produced three or more, and both sides scored in 67%.
The match was played at City Football Academy (capacity 6,500). On the scoreboard, Manchester City U18 led 3-0 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 4-1.
Goal scorers
Manchester City U18: Teddie Lamb (21'), Christian Dunbar-McDonald (35'), Dante Headley (45'), Kylan Midwood (54') · Sunderland U18: Lewis Campbell (74')
Key stats
Possession: Manchester City U18 68% · Sunderland U18 32% · Total shots: 18-9 · On target: 10-5 · Corners: 3-2