Man City gain crucial advantage in academy battle with Manchester United

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Manchester City Under-18s beat Sunderland on Tuesday afternoon to top the table with five games left to play

Manchester City Under-18s leapfrogged Manchester United at the top of the Under-18s Premier League table after a thumping 4-1 win over Sunderland. Oliver Reiss made six changes from the team that beat Blackburn by the same scoreline in the FA Youth Cup on Friday night as the young Blues made progress in another competition.

Teddie Lamb got the opening goal of the game to continue his promising first year with the club, stepping up to convert a penalty after being brought down in the box. Christian Dunbar-McDonald then skipped in from the left wing and produced a confident finish.

Dante Headley made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time to complete a comprehensive opening from Reiss's side and Kylan Midwood made it four as the game approached the hour mark. Despite their dominance, City goalkeeper Ben Vickery was forced to make a number of excellent saves as the match wore on and Lewis Campbell scored a consolation for the visitors with 15 minutes left to play.

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The result was never in doubt though and City's win moves them level on points with United at the top of the Under-18 Premier League. The young Blues top the table owing to their goal difference of +48 beating United's +39 - and they also have a game in hand to try to stretch their lead further.

There are just five games left for City in the league format, and at the end of it either they or United will progress to the national final where they will play the team that finishes top in the southern division; Chelsea currently lead Spurs by two points with four games to go. City made the final last season but lost a tight game to Aston Villa.

The Blues are also through to their third successive FA Youth Cup final, and will find out their opponents on Friday when United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford. The final will be played at City next month, with details of a date and location still to be confirmed.