Man City academy players pass audition for next year's title defence despite Wolves comeback

Only last weekend did Manchester City secure a third consecutive Premier League 2 title, yet before even lifting the trophy on Saturday they were starting to plan for next season.

City have dominated the academy landscape for over three years now, with the under-21s securing three titles in a row, and the under-18s winning four in a row of their respective league competition. It's a reflection of a club-wide effort to teach the same system to every player on their books, playing in every team.

This season's Premier League 2 triumph is arguably their best, with a comprehensive rebuild needed last summer and still a title won in the same familiar way. The players may be different, but the football will always remain the same throughout every age group at the club.

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That was evident in this final home game of the season against relegation-threatened Wolves. City celebrated their trophy on the Academy Stadium pitch after staving off a Wolves comeback from 4-0 down, which proved to be an opportunity for Brian Barry-Murphy and his staff to cast an eye over some different players now the title was won.

Goalscoring wing pair Carlos Borges and Dire Mebude were on the bench, as was regular goalkeeper Mikki van Sas, and there were rare starts for the likes of Josh McNamara, Terrell Agyemang, Kane Taylor, Josh Adam and Micah Hamilton.

For goalscorer Ben Knight, back from a long-term injury in recent weeks, and classy midfielder Alex Robertson, they were arguably playing for the scouts present, or to show City they should be given more prominent roles than with the under-21s next year. Both have experienced senior football out on loan,