Manchester City stayed top of Premier League 2, an under-21 development league for academies, on Friday night with a crushing 5-0 victory over Norwich.
The home team was leading 1-0 at half-time thanks to a goal from Emilio Lawrence, but defeated their rival in the second half.
The overwhelming scoreline had a lot to do with the son of a former Premier League striker, who was introduced at half-time by goalscorer Lawrence.
Within 20 minutes, the striker scored a hat-trick to put Manchester City up 4-0.
He then provided the assist to round out the victory and keep Man City at the top of the standings.
Reigan Heskey scored a hat-trick and provided an assist for Manchester City’s academy on Friday
He is one of the sons of former England and Premier League striker Emile, left.
Heskey overcame setback after setback to keep his place in the England squad
It capped a remarkable week for Reigan Heskey, one of the sons of former Premier League and England striker Emile.
Reigan had scored a stunning curling effort earlier in the week in the EFL, before he and his brother Jaden helped Man City win the shootout.
His impact was most devastating on Friday night, scoring his first goal within two minutes of arriving, showing his poacher’s instincts to finish off a cross from close range.
The goal marked the 16-year-old’s first in Premier League 2 as he continues to rise from the Under-18 level, where he has six goals and assists to four in seven games.
His second goal followed shortly after with a composed finish in the 53rd minute, calmly slotting into the far corner.
The hat-trick was completed when Reigan’s right-footed shot could only be helped by the Norwich goalkeeper.
A good evening’s work culminated in a last-minute assist for Will Dickson as Manchester City claimed their seventh successive victory in the competition.
Regian came up short after the game, saying in an interview with the Manchester City club that it was a “good performance.”
Regian scored his first goal two minutes after coming on as a substitute from close range.
He completed his hat-trick 20 minutes later, when the goalkeeper assisted with a curling shot.
This capped a good week for Heskey, who also scored in the EFL Trophy against Grimsby.
Brother Jaden started the EFL Trophy match and also scored the decisive penalty.
“I came in and made an impact, which is what I try to do every time, so it was a good performance,” he said.
“Every team wants to be at the top (of the table), you want to win every game week after week.”
“The pressure of having them (other teams) behind us motivates us to play well every week.”
His brother Jaden also played the entire game in midfield on Friday night.
Reigan will seek to follow in the footsteps of his father Emile, who is a Premier League legend, having scored 110 goals in 516 games for teams such as Leicester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Heskey also overcame setback after setback to maintain his place on the national team, eventually finishing his career with 62 caps.
After losing his place following a disappointing Euro 2004 campaign, the striker impressed his club teams upon returning to the England set-up, making a stunning comeback for Fabio Capello’s side at the 2010 World Cup.
During their spell with the Newcastle Jets in Australia in 2012, Emile’s sons Jaden and Reigan, aged four and six at the time, could be seen stealing the show on the field after games, dressed in special jerseys’ Heskey’.
During their spell with Newcastle Jets in Australia in 2012, the brothers, aged four and six at the time, could be seen stealing the show on the field after games.
Jaden was pictured shooting against Leeds in the FA Youth Cup final in May
Her father is now the head of football development at Leicester City Women.
Her father is now the head of football development at Leicester City Women, and previously worked as the team’s interim coach.
Earlier this year, Heskey was ordered to pay a legal fee bill of almost £200,000 after a long dispute with HMRC over an unpaid tax bill dating back to 2019.
Reigan will hope his impressive form continues in midweek when Manchester City take on Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Youth League.
