City Under-18s striker Matty Warhurst says the 2-0 win over Watford in the FA Youth Cup third round was a performance that showed ‘a statement of intent’ from City.

The number nine gave City the lead after 15 minutes before Jaden Heskey doubled our lead minutes into the second half with a composed finish.

And, reflecting on the win at Vicarage Road on Tuesday evening, Warhurst felt the performance showed how important the FA Youth Cup is to City’s youngsters.

“I think it was a massive performance,” said Warhurst. “It was a statement of intent and showed how far we want to go in this competition.

“To come to Watford, play at their ground – it’s a tough place to come – and we played very well.

“We probably should have scored more but we kept a clean sheet which is a positive.”

Warhurst put City in front after Josh Mullins’ attempt to clear Watford’s goal line failed, with the ball rebounding off Warhurst and into the back of the net.

While it might not have been Warhurst’s most flamboyant goal for City so far, it was his first in the showpiece to top off a fantastic debut in the prestigious competition.

And Warhurst admitted he was nervous ahead of the fixture but it was clear any nerves vanished once the game began with him being a key figure in a handful of City’s attacks throughout the game.

“Yeah I’d say I was a little bit nervous, but you have to treat it like a normal game,” said Warhurst.

“We were very excited as a team to come into this game, we got the job done, got the win and now we focus on the next game after Christmas.

“It was a scruffy goal but they all count! I’m just happy to score to be honest and I think it set us up.

“Going 1-0 up early on helped us because as the game goes on without a goal there is more pressure.

“But going a goal ahead set us up for the rest of the match and we played really good football.”