Liverpool retain Youth Cup

	26 April 2007
	VIDEO: Final, second leg - Manchester United 0-1 Liverpool
	Liverpool retain The FA Youth Cup after a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Manchester United 0-1 Liverpool
(2-2 on aggregate, Liverpool won 4-3 on penalties)

The FA Youth Cup Final, Sponsored by E.ON
Second Leg
7.45pm, Thursday 26 April 2007
Old Trafford

Liverpool retained The FA Youth Cup with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over rivals Manchester United, lifting the trophy for the second year in a row in Manchester after a hard-fought 120 minutes at Old Trafford.

Both sides showed flashes of brilliance but also nerves as the occasion edged closer to its climax, but it was Steve Heighway's Liverpool who held their grip on the trophy they won at the City of Manchester Stadium last April.

Robbie Threlfall went from zero to hero on a night that saw the Reds win 1-0, levelling the scores at 2-2, as the Liverpool defender scored the only goal of the game to make up for his own goal at Anfield in the first leg.

There was heartbreak for the United skipper Sam Hewson who missed the spot kick that gave Liverpool their win, after Hewson had put United ahead at Anfield with a penalty in front of the Kop.

United carved out the first opportunity six minutes in when Febian Brandy ghosted through the Liverpool defence and fed Daniel Welbeck on the right wing. Although Chris Fagan was unable to connect with the powerful cross, it was an early warning for the visitors' defence.

Febian Brandy then fired in a decent effort from distance, but it was a nervous opening to the game for both sides. In front of an impressive crowd on the biggest stage these young players have been part of, it is understandable that creativity and daring gave way to assured passing in the early period.

Ron-Robert Zieler had to be alert when called into action as Craig Lindfield looked to get on the end of a fine through ball from Charlie Barnett. With United's attack breaking down, Barnett looked early for the Liverpool striker only for Zieler to rush out and deny Lindfield any chance of scoring.

Welbeck and Brandy combined on the right flank on a number of occasions to give Steve Heighway reason to fear, but equally Liverpool were finding space on their right flank as Jimmy Ryan and Barnett looked to create crossing opportunities.

Lindfield came close to levelling the scores on aggregate with a header from just eight yards out. Stephen Darby surged forward to fire a dangerous ball into the area, but Lindfield was unable to add to his goal in the first leg at Anfield.

Six minutes into the second period Brandy squandered a golden chance to stretch United's advantage. Put through by Drinkwater, Brandy did well to turn Liverpool skipper Jay Spearing, but David Roberts saved at his feet and Liverpool breathed again.

The visitors were almost level just a minute later when Craig Lindfield hit a guided effort towards the bottom corner, only for Zieler to turn the curling shot onto the post and the rebound was cleared.

Five minutes later Liverpool were on level terms as Robbie Threlfall lashed home in a penalty box scramble, to make amends for his own goal in the first leg at Anfield. Zieler fisted the ball away from under the crossbar but Threlfall was on hand to slam the ball from the penalty spot to put Liverpool ahead on the night.

The opening goal undoubtedly changed the complexion of the game as United now needed to score, and the play became stretched as a result with both sides looking to take the decisive step to lifting the Cup.

The chances never materialised and the tie went into extra time with both sides having to dig deep into their reserves of energy.

Lindfield did superbly well to chest down a cross, turn Kenny Strickland gracefully before hitting a left-footed shot past a stranded Ron-Robert Zieler. Fortunately for United the ball cannoned back of the post and fell kindly to James Chester who cleared the ball.

With tired legs and nervous young heads, the tie meandered to a draw after 120 minutes and so penalties were required to separate the sides.

Both Magnus Wolff Eikrem and Sam Hewson missed from the spot to give Liverpool victory and a second successive Youth Cup triumph.

Teams:

Manchester United: Ron-Robert Zieler, Richard Eckersley, Corry Evans (Scott Moffatt 99), Kenny Strickland, James Chester, Daniel Drinkwater (Antonio Bryan 72), Daniel Welbeck (Magnus Eikrem 87), Sam Hewson (c), Febian Brandy, Chris Fagan, Daniel Galbraith
Subs Not Used: Conor McCormack, Gary Woods

Liverpool: David Roberts, Stephen Darby, Michael Burns, Jay Spearing (c), Robbie Threlfall, Charlie Barnett, Jimmy Ryan (Lee Woodward 95), Astrit Ajdarevic (Steven Irwin 81), Craig Lindfield, Ryan Flynn, Ray Putterill
Subs Not Used: Josh Mimms, Sean Highdale, Ben Parsonage