CHELSEA U18 2, MANCHESTER CITY U18 1 (CHELSEA retain FA Youth Cup 5-2 on aggregate)
Battling Manchester City went down 2-1 to lose the FA Youth Cup to Chelsea 5-2 as they retained the trophy they won last season, winning it for the third time in four years and the fourth time in six seasons.
Chelsea added more silverware to the UEFA Youth League they won a fortnight ago against Shakhtar Donetsk in Nyon.
City made two changes from the side that lost 3-1 at the Etihad Football Academy last week. Kelechi Iheanacho was named in the starting line-up in place of Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and Marcus Wood came in for Manuel Garcia.
After just six minutes, City’s more physical approach paid off after Kelechi Iheanacho put Aron Nemane’s cross into the Chelsea net to reduce the deficit from the first leg and give a glimmer of hope for the 800 travelling supporters who had made the trip down to Stamford Bridge.
It was the Nigerian youngster’s first appearance in the competition as Jason Wilcox looked to replace the physical presence that was missed in the first leg in the absence of the injured Thierry Ambrose.
Chelsea were no mugs, however, and continued to impress with their work rate and deservedly levelled the scores in the 20th minute with Isaiah Brown’s header past Bersant Celina on the line from a corner.
Dominic Solanke could have put Chelsea into the lead at the end of the first half but shot wide but it was only a warning shot as Tammy Abraham put the tie out of City’s hands with a low shot shortly after the restart.
City rallied after the early second half blow but Chelsea maintained their dominance of the game.
City sub Isaac Buckley-Ricketts’ 75th minute headed equaliser was ruled out for a push on Jake Clarke-Salter before he beat Bradley Collins.
Chelsea could have made the victory more emphatic at the end but Solanke’s slide-rule pass to Ruben Sammut three minutes from time ended with a shot that was wide of the back post and Chelsea duly earned their victory.