Manchester City 1-1 Newcastle United (City win 4-3 on aggregate)
The FA Youth Cup
Semi-Final second leg
City of Manchester Stadium
7.30pm, 23 March 2006

23 March 2006
VIDEO: Semi-Final - Man City 1-1 Newcastle

Manchester City never looked in trouble once they went ahead, carrying a 3-2 aggregate lead from the previous round.

Manchester City had been favourites to win the right to face Liverpool in this season's FA Youth Cup Final after winning the first leg of their semi-final with Newcastle United 3-2 at St James' Park.

Yes, they did make it through to the Final but the young Magpies fought them all the way during last night's second leg at the City of Manchester Stadium.

There was a slow start by both sides on a chilly night in Manchester. Karl Moore for the hosts and Kazenga Lua Lua for the visitors missed narrowly with cross-shots before Daniel Sturridge scored on 15 minutes to cheer a decent crowd in the Colin Bell Stand.


The lethal Sturridge, who has featured in all of the last six England U17 internationals, got his head to a Paul Marshall free-kick whipped in from the right and City looked comfortable with a 4-2 aggregate lead.

Newcastle tried hard to get into the tie and were rewarded with an equaliser on the night on 34 minutes.

A long throw-in bounced inside City's penalty area, inviting full-back Nicky Deverdics to strike a half-volley past Matthewson.

City still had their noses in front on aggregate and at that point looked more likely to register another goal than the Tyneside opposition.

In the second half Doninger replaced Lua Lua and added pace to Newcastle's attack. For City Ched Evans came on for Sturridge and headed just over the bar from Michael Johnson's free-kick in the 80th minute.

Then City survived a frantic finish to qualify for a two-leg Final with Liverpool next month.

Both Manchester City (1986) and Liverpool (1996) are former FA Youth Cup winners.

THE FA YOUTH CUP in partnership with Pepsi – 54th SEASON

FINAL TIE

 

1ST LEG – THURSDAY 13 APRIL 2006 – 7.30PM – Live on Sky

 

Liverpool                                                      v        Manchester City

                                                                             

2ND LEG – FRIDAY 21 APRIL 2006 – 7.45PM – Live on Sky

 

Manchester City                                           v        Liverpool