12 March 2008
VIDEO: Fifth Round - Manchester City 0-1 Sunderland

Jordan Henderson scores a fantastic goal but it's not enough as Manchester City reach their second Final in three seasons.

Chelsea v Manchester City
The FA Youth Cup Sponsored by E.ON
Final, Second Leg 
7pm, Thursday 3 April 2008
Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC
Click here for latest results

The FA Youth Cup Final offers the man who discovered, nurtured and developed England internationals Shaun Wright-Phillips and Micah Richards the chance to complete his crowning glory.

Jim Cassell, the Academy Director at Manchester City, has brought a staggering 25 players through the ranks to represent the first team since he joined the club in 1997.

Cassell now hopes his latest set of prodigies can defeat Chelsea over two legs, starting at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, to bring the trophy to Manchester City for the first time since 1986.

"I desperately hope that this year we can pick up the trophy," he said. 

"Purely from a selfish point of view, myself and the coaching staff want to win the Cup more than the players do.

"But it is the players' game, we will be there to support them and it's a great occasion for them."

After narrowly defeating Sunderland in the Semi-Final, Cassell acknowledges that City have ridden their luck to reach The Final, but understandably hopes the run will continue.

And that could well happen with the likes of England U19s squad member Daniel Sturridge (pictured above) still eligible for Youth Cup action.

"We have been lucky in a few of the matches en route to the final, but in football it is important to get the rub of the green and we hope our luck stays with us throughout the two games," added Cassell.

"Daniel Sturridge is one of those players that if he plays well on the night then he could win us the tie. There is a danger that people might expect too much of him, but we are hoping that he can be a real force in the two legged final."