Tottenham Hotspur will face London rivals Chelsea in The FA Youth Cup semi-finals after an eight-goal thriller saw them survive a Newcastle United fightback to prevail 5-3 at St James' Park.
The visitors were ahead after just three minutes as Reo Griffiths set up strike-partner Keanan Bennetts, though Griffiths was to turn scorer in a dream start in the north east.
Newcastle gradually got a foothold in the tie, responding just after the break as Lewis McNall converted a penalty, before Kazaiah Sterling’s sixth goal in just three FA Youth Cup matches restored the two-goal advantage.
But the drama was only just beginning, with four goals in a crazy seven minutes seeing McNall and Japhet Tanganga trading strikes before Owen Gallacher scored Newcastle’s third to make it 4-3.
With the charge on, Spurs sealed the tie once and for all as Dylan Duncan curled home, with champions Chelsea the only side in their way of a sixth FA Youth Cup Final.
There was also a big sixth round victory for Stoke City, victorious by 3-1 at Preston North End thanks to a double from Tyrese Campbell – with a two-legged tie with last season’s runners-up Manchester City their prize for success.
Jordan Greenidge opened the scoring after just 13 minutes for the Potters, pouncing on a goalkeeper error to run into the box and coolly fire home.
A vital second goal was to come before the break, with Campbell turning excellently to fire home and leave the Lilywhites with a mountain to climb on what was their best run since finishing as runner-up in 1960.
But the final nail in the coffin came midway through the second period, with Campbell left with a simple tap-in for a 3-0 lead.
Preston did respond through Josh Earl, though his prod home from a corner ten minutes from time proved to be in vain, valiantly bowing out at the sixth round stage.
The first leg of the semi-finals will take place by Saturday 18 March with the second leg taking place by Saturday 8 April.
Semi-final first leg:
Manchester City v Stoke City
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea
Semi-final second leg:
Stoke City v Manchester City
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
