The victorious Manchester City squad parade their trophy
Manchester City and West Ham United's Academy teams booked trips to Barcelona after finishing as the top two sides in the Barclays Premier League Under-14 National Tournament.
Both sides reached the final of the ten-team event at the London Soccerdome in Greenwich with 100% per cent records but City emerged 3-1 winners with goals from Nosa Iyamu, Lukas Nmecha and Joe Hardy, whose goal made him the club’s top scorer at the tournament with three.
By topping their groups of five City and West Ham had guaranteed themselves a trip to Barcelona where they will play in a four-team tournament in March with Barcelona and local side Cornella.
The annual national tournament is part of the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan to improve the development of players in England that began this season.
Managing director of the City football academy Brian Marwood said: "This is a great achievement for everyone connected with the academy. As you are all aware we have worked hard recently to build on the proud history that the academy has attained over the years. This success is a by-product of that and one which shows we are on the right path."
