Chelsea retain The FA Youth Cup after 2-1 win over Man City

After a 3-1 win in the first leg at the Academy Stadium seven days prior, Joe Edwards’ side went into the game knowing they had one hand on the trophy.

And their remarkable recent record in the competition continued, this was their fourth successive final and fourth victory in the past six years.

On the night, goals from Izzy Brown and Tammy Abraham proved enough to secure a 2-1 victory.

The young Blues had to show their character too, as an early goal from City’s Kelechi Iheanacho tested the resolve before Brown sent the teams in level at the break and Abraham notched within a minute of the second half starting.

In front of watching Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, it was an impressive display from Edwards’ side who showed patience, ability and decisiveness throughout to retain the Cup. 

With captain Charlie Colkett orchestrating their play through the centre and England team-mates Dominic Solanke, Brown and Abrahams all proving able accomplices, there was an air of confidence from Chelsea throughout.

Not surprising after coming into the two ties on the back of their recent UEFA Youth League success.

Kelechi Iheanacho puts City ahead on the night in the first half

But their nerves were tested when City got the goal they needed to set up a potential comeback in the sixth minute. 

England U19s winger Brandon Barker drifted in from the left before fizzing a pass out to the right for Aron Nemane. 

His centre was perfect for striker Iheanacho, who touched home from close range to give City hope.

There was no panic from Chelsea though and they spent the next 15 minutes on the front foot before Brown nodded home Charlie Colkett’s corner to bring them level and restore the two-goal advantage.

But the hosts had to rely on Bradley Collins moments later when Iheanacho forced him into a smart save, after directing Pablo Maffeo’s deep cross back at goal. 

The Chelsea stopper had to shift direction before turning the effort away from goal, with Fikayo Tomori clearing up the danger.

City's Brandon Barker looks to beat Chelsea midfielder Charly Musonda

City finished the first half strongly, with Iheanacho setting up Bersant Celina after out-muscling Tomori in the box, but the midfielder side-footed wide. 

Barker then broke into the box from the left seconds later, only to see Collins block his low angled-shot.

And a devilishly inviting cross from Jose Tasande flashed across goal forcing Jake Clarke-Salter into a desperate clearance with Nemane waiting to connect behind him.

The second half did not start so well for Jason Wilcox’s side, as Chelsea took the lead within a minute of the restart when Brown and Solanke combined well to set up Abraham. 

His low shot from the edge of the area picked out the bottom corner, his 37th goal of a remarkable season, and put the Blues on course for victory.

City kept pushing though and substitute Isaac Buckley-Ricketts headed home in the 75th minute, but saw his effort ruled out for a push on Clarke-Salter as Tomori’s cross floated into the area.

But Chelsea always had them at arm's length and were able to play out the game knowing that another Youth Cup success was close to being complete.

Abraham closes down Jose Tasande in the first half

Chelsea (4-3-3): 1 Bradley Collins; 2 Ola Aina, 3 Fikayo Tomori, 4 Jake Clarke-Salter, 6 Jay Dasilva; 10 Jeremie Boga, 6 Charlie Colkett (c), 8 Charly Musonda; 7 Tammy Abraham, 9 Dominic Solanke, 11 Isaiah Brown

Substitutes: 12 Ruben Sammut for Abraham 68, 14 Kasey Palmer for Boga 74, 15 Mukhtar Ali for Musonda 84

Substitutes not used: 13 Jared Thompson, 16 Joshua Grant.

Goals: Isaiah Brown 20, Tammy Abraham 46

Head coach: Joe Edwards

Manchester City (4-5-1): 1 Christian Kjetil Haug; 2 Pablo Maffeo, 4 Tosin Adarabioyo (c ), , 3 Cameron Humphries-Grant, 5 Jose Tasande; 7 Aron Nemane, 6 Kean Bryan, 8 Marcus Wood, 10 Bersant Celina, 11 Brandon Barker; 9 Kelechi Iheanacho

Substitutes: 14 Manuel Garcia Alonso for Wood 68, 16 Isaac Buckley-Ricketts for Iheanacho 71

Substitutes not used: 12 Sam Tattum, 13 Charlie Albinson, 15 Javairo Dilrosun

Goals: Kelechi Iheanacho 6

Head coach: Jason Wilcox

Referee: Robert Madley
Assistant referees: Peter Wright & Timothy Wood
Fourth referee: Ian Hussain

Attendance: 10965