Manchester City stayed top of Premier League 2 – an under-21 academy development competition – on Friday night with a crushing 5-0 win over Norwich.
The home team led 1-0 at halftime thanks to a goal from Emilio Lawrence, but blew the opponents away in the second half.
The crushing scoreline had a lot to do with the son of a former Premier League striker, who was introduced at half-time for goalscorer Lawrence.
Within twenty minutes the striker had scored a hat-trick, giving Man City a 4-0 lead.
They then provided the assist to complete the win and keep Man City at the top of the standings.
Reigan Heskey scored a hat-trick and provided an assist for Man City’s youth academy on Friday
He is one of the sons of former England and Premier League striker Emile, left
Heskey overcame adversity after adversity to retain his place in the England national team
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 performance in the EFL earlier this week before he and his brother Jaden helped Man City win the penalty shoot-out.
His impact was even more devastating on Friday night. He scored his first goal two minutes after arriving by showing his poacher’s instincts to tap in from a close-range cross.
The goal was the 16-year-old’s first at Premier League 2 level as he continues to develop from the Under-18s, where he has scored six goals and provided four assists in seven games.
His second followed shortly afterwards with the composed finish in the 53rd minute, calmly slotting into the far corner.
The hat-trick was completed when Reigan’s curling right-footed effort could only be helped into the net by the Norwich goalkeeper.
The fine evening’s work was capped off with an assist for Will Dickson in the final minute as Man City won the league for the seventh time in a row.
Regian offered an understatement after the match when he said it was a ‘good performance’ in an interview with the Man City club.
Regian scored his opening goal two minutes after coming on as a substitute from close range
Twenty minutes later he completed his hat-trick when a curling attempt was helped in by the keeper
It capped a fine week for Heskey, who had also scored in the EFL Trophy against Grimsby
Brother Jaden started the EFL Trophy match and also scored the decisive penalty
“I came on and made an impact, that’s what I try to do every time, so it was a good performance,” he said.
‘Every team wants to be top [of the table]you want to win every game week in, week out.
‘The pressure to have them [other teams] behind us gives us the motivation to play well every week.”
His brother Jaden had also played the entire match in midfield on Friday evening.
Reigan wants to follow in the footsteps of his father Emile, who is a Premier League legend, who scored 110 goals in 516 appearances for teams including Leicester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Heskey also overcame adversity after adversity to keep his place in the national team, ultimately finishing his career with 62 caps.
After losing his place following a disappointing Euro 2004 season, the forward impressed his club squads to force his way back into the England squad, making a shock return for Fabio Capello’s side at the World Cup 2010.
During his spell with Newcastle Jets in Australia in 2012, Emile’s sons Jaden and Reigan, then aged four and six, could be seen stealing the show on the pitch after matches, wearing special ‘Heskey’ shirts.
During his time with Newcastle Jets in Australia in 2012, the brothers, then aged four and six, were able to steal the show on the pitch after matches.
Jaden imagined himself with a chance against Leeds in the FA Youth Cup final in May
Their father is now head of football development for Leicester City Women
Their father is now head of football development for Leicester City Women, having previously had a spell as the team’s interim coach.
Earlier this year, Heskey was ordered to pay a legal costs bill of almost £200,000, following a lengthy dispute with HMRC over an unpaid tax bill dating back to 2019.
Reigan will hope his stunning form continues in midweek when Man City take on Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Youth League.