Champions: Manchester City
Reigan Heskey’s late winner saw Manchester City lift the FA Youth Cup for a fifth time with a 2-1 win over rivals Manchester United.
In front of his father, former Liverpool and England forward Emile, Heskey struck in the 87th minute after United’s Godwill Kukonki cancelled out Floyd Samba’s opener late in the first half.
With Pep Guardiola, Phil Foden and Antoine Semenyo in the stands, City dominated the second half to win this competition for a second time in three years. Oli Reiss’ side now face Chelsea for the under-18 Premier League title next Friday.
Decisive: Reigan Heskey
United arrived at the Joie Stadium – the controversial venue for this final with the Etihad Stadium unavailable – in numbers as Michael Carrick, Bruno Fernandes and Jason Wilcox supported their youngsters but Darren Fletcher’s side were second best.
Much of the build-up had focused on the club’s respective top-scorers, City’s 16-year-old Teddie Lamb and United’s 15-year-old JJ Gabriel.
Lamb, who has 28 goals in as many appearances this season, saw a close-range effort repelled by Cameron Byrne-Hughes in the 24th minute.
Gabriel, scorer of 26 goals in 29 games, pipped Lamb to the Premier League’s under-18 player of the year award this week but his first involvement was to be booked by Tom Nield for simulation, moments after City’s Dante Headley was cautioned for the same offence in a feisty first half.
Pep Guardiola watched on as Manchester City lifted the FA Youth Cup
Five minutes before half-time, City’s lead came via the sons of former Blackburn defender Chris Samba. Tyrone Samba was felled by Rafe McCormack and his 17-year-old brother Floyd curled a shot into the top left-hand corner.
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United were level just 59 seconds later. Jim Thwaites, on the first-team bench at Chelsea last month, crossed from deep and Kukonki barged his way through to head home.
City turned up the heat in the second half. Tyrone Samba fired into the side-netting and Ryan McAidoo saw a cross deflected on to the crossbar.
With time running out, McAidoo ran into a wall of defenders inside the United box but City worked it wide for Heskey to cut inside his defender and fire into the roof of the net.