Chelsea 3-1 Manchester City (4-2 agg): Blues defend FA Youth Cup crown

By Paul Green

Image: Chelsea captain Jake Clarke-Salter lifts the FA Youth Cup trophy

Chelsea retained the FA Youth Cup for a third consecutive year with a comfortable 3-1 second-leg victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

With the tie evenly poised at 1-1 from the opening game, it was Chelsea who got their noses in front in first-half stoppage time when City keeper Daniel Grimshaw's mistake was punished by Dujon Sterling.

Tammy Abraham's looping header early in the second half doubled the advantage before Fikayo Tomori put the outcome beyond all doubt on 73 minutes.

Brahim Diaz struck late on for City, but it was a mere consolation as Chelsea lifted the trophy once again.

Both sides made a tentative start, although Abraham was unfortunate to lift his 21st-minute effort over the bar after being picked out by Sterling.

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Only a last-gasp clearance from Jay Dasilva prevented Isaac Buckley-Ricketts putting City in front.

Image: Dujon Sterling rounds Daniel Grimshaw to score

The two sides looked certain to go in level at the break, only for Sterling to take full advantage of poor communication between Grimshaw and his defenders by beating the keeper to the ball before slotting into an empty net.

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City thought they were back on terms seven minutes after the restart when Buckley-Ricketts' attempt was pushed away by Nathan Baxter to Lukas Nmecha, who converted the rebound.

Image: Sterling celebrates putting Chelsea ahead against Manchester City

However, the attacker was correctly flagged for offside and within two minutes, Chelsea were 2-0 up as Abraham's header beat Grimshaw.

The lively Mason Mount provided a perfect cross for Tomori to head home a third.

But City kept plugging away and were rewarded three minutes from time when Diaz pulled one back from close range.

It was far too late in the day to spark an unlikely comeback and Chelsea's promising crop of youngsters held on to win the trophy once more. 

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