Elliott Dickman has paid tribute to the strength of Manchester City's under-18s squad.
The Citizens youth team maintained their unbeaten start to the U18 Premier League as they eased past Sunderland 4-0 and moved six points clear of Everton at the top of the league.
The result leaves the young Black Cats still in search of the first points of the season, but speaking to safc.com Dickman admitted his side faced a seismic challenge against the calibre of opposition City had on show.
“We did ok in the first half up until the penalty incident because we contained them and kept a good shape,” he said.
“We matched them in some respects and created the best chances in that period with a header which just went wide. Unfortunately though, we just didn't have that bit of care you need in the box and the final third because it could’ve been a different story.
“I have seen a lot of football in my time at the club at various levels and I know while City's side are young and have plenty of work to do, that group of players would be up there as one of the best academy teams I have seen play at our academy for a very long time."
