Phil Foden’s second half equaliser left Manchester City U18s’ FA Youth Cup final with Chelsea finely balanced at 1-1 at the midway point in the tie.
Ike Ugbo had put the visitors ahead on the stroke of half-time, but the Blues’ fleet-footed midfielder levelled to ensure it’s all to play for in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
City had already hit the post through Lukas Nmecha when the Chelsea forward powered home Callum Hudson-Odoi’s pass to give the West Londoner’s the lead at the break.
It was a tight contest, but Lee Carsley’s youngsters went searching for an equaliser and it came thanks to their England U17 international.
Picking up a pass from Jadon Sancho, Foden ran unchallenged into the Chelsea area and angled a low drive past the ‘keeper, which concluded the scoring for the evening.
The Blues will now try to lift the Cup with a second leg victory at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 26 April.
City XI: Muric; Duhaney, Diallo, Francis, Wilson; Davenport, Smith, Foden; Diaz, Sancho, Nmecha.
