The number six was at the heart of City’s 2-0 extra-time victory, converting a penalty to give us the lead in the 98th minute while also dictating play from the centre of the pitch for just over 100 minutes of high-intensity football.
And the 18-year-old credited the team’s hard work and determination which helped City overcome the FA Youth Cup holders to see us advance to the fifth round.
FA YOUTH CUP MATCH REPORT | WEST HAM 0-2 CITY U18S
“We always knew it was going to be a tough game,” began Wright.
“We played them last year in the Under-18 Premier League National final and that went to extra-time as well where we was able to win it again so we knew they would go the distance with us.
“But I think our work ethic, our quality, the way we stuck together as a team – we didn’t play our best football tonight and found it tough in moments – but we really dug in and when it mattered we put the chances away.
“It’s been great to get a mix of all different types of football [coming back to play under Ben Wilkinson in the FA Youth Cup]. Different play styles under different managers.
“The FA Youth Cup is a great tournament, it’s my last year playing in it, it’s a big competition that all the lads want to play in.
“There is big competition to get into the team so when you get that opportunity it’s important that you take it.”
Wright featured as a substitute in City’s semi-final heartbreak last season which saw Ben Wilkinson’s side dismissed after a late extra-time Arsenal goal.
But it’s clear that Wright has gone leaps and bounds in his progression over the past 10 months which has also seen him make his senior debut, taking to the Etihad pitch during City’s FA Cup win over Huddersfield Town.
And Wright is evidently looking forward to more excitement and the prospect of accolades in 2024.
“It’s been an exciting, good start to 2024 for myself,” said Wright.
“But away from the personal reasons we are a team at the end of the day and the team’s got to come first and I’m glad I was able to score the penalty and put the team ahead in the late stages of the game and in a big moment. We got the win tonight which was important.
“We’re at home to Reading next in the fifth round so that’s an advantage but it’s important that we bring 100%.
“They’re going to be big, they’re going to be physical, they’re going to look to want to run at us.
“But I believe that our players and our mentality will get us through to the quarter-finals.”
