The FA Youth Cup Sponsored by E.ON
Semi-Final, Second Leg
7pm, Tuesday 11 March 2008
City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City FC
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Despite a 1-0 second leg defeat at home to Sunderland on Tuesday night, Manchester City will play in their second FA Youth Cup Final in three years after a 2-1 aggregate win.
A brace from Manchester City left-back Ryan McGivern was the difference in the first leg in the North East last week, giving the Black Cats an uphill battle in the return.
But Jordan Henderson's 15th minute long-range strike was too hot to handle for Hartley in the City goal and provided Ged McNamee's side with a huge lifeline.
Jack Colbeck and Henderson again came close for the visitors as they sought the leveller, while Manchester City's Danny Sturridge, who has scored two goals in three senior appearances this season, had a number of good opportunities. When he did find the target, though, Sunderland stopper Staples was equal to it.
Sunderland did have the ball in the back of the net in the closing moments, and thought the reward for their hard work had arrived, but the assistant referee's flag ruled Colbeck's strike out for offside.
City will have to wait until next Wednesday, 19 March, to find out who they'll meet in the two-legged Final, as Chelsea travel to Aston Villa with the scores in their Semi-Final level at 1-1.
Manchester City
Hartley, Trippier, McGivern, Boyata, Mee (c), Kay, Weiss, Tutte, Ball, Sturridge, McDermott.
Subs unused: Nimely-Tchuimeni, Johansen, Ramsey, Tsiaklis, Mak.
Sunderland
Staples, Kay (R Noble 71), Liddle, L Noble, Cornforth, McArdle, Henderson, Colback (c), Hourihane, Waghorn, Luscombe (Hunter 80).
Subs unused: Brown, Cook, Galer, Scott.
Attendance 3,228