Jason Wilcox’s youngsters gave a spirited and committed display full of verve and tenacity, and took an early lead on the night through Kelechi Iheanacho.
However, the lead lasted barely quarter of an hour before Chelsea were level, and once the hosts took the lead with less than 60 seconds played after half time to give themselves a three goal aggregate advantage, the mountain proved too high for City to climb.
It was blue versus blue in the 2015 FA Youth Cup final, and navy had the lead over sky at the start of the night after last week’s opening round at the Academy Stadium.
City knew it would be a tough task to overhaul the 3-1 deficit from the first leg, but after an accomplished second half display in which they came close to levelling the tie before conceding a late, heartbreaking third Wilcox’s young charges began with confidence that they could turn the tie around.
Proud of his side’s efforts in the last bout of this tasty encounter, Wilcox made just two changes from the XI that took to the field in the Academy Stadium last Monday.
Marcus Wood returned from injury to add some welcome bite and steel to the midfield areas, while Iheanacho made his FA Youth Cup debut up top.
It didn’t take the Nigerian youth international long to adjust to the pace of the competition, and the forward put City ahead within five minutes of kick off. Showing a striker’s predatory instinct, he was on hand with a deft finish at the near post to convert from Aaron Nemane’s low cross.
It was the first chance for either side to result from the early sparring, and gave City the fast start they needed – much to the delight of the vocal away corner, who raised even lustier voices in response.
The hosts were also moved to step up a gear after Kelechi had halved the aggregate deficit, and mounted increasing pressure on City’s goal. Towering headers from Tosin Adarabioyo were required on two separate occasions to divert set piece danger, while Kean Bryan turned in a vigilant display in stemming attacks through the middle.
However, for all the possession and territory, keeper Kjetil Haug was not really tested before Chelsea pulled themselves level after 19 minutes – Izzy Brown rising highest to head home Charlie Colkett’s corner.
The host sought to dominate the possession statistics thereafter but struggled to call Haug into action – although Tammy Abraham’s cross was inches away from finding the onrushing Brown.
At the other end, Iheanacho had a pair of chances to double his tally – his excellent header required a great stop from Brad Collins before he curled an ambitious effort from outside the box straight into the keeper’s gloves.
City grew into the game as the half progressed, and Bryan and Bersant Celina both had chances but couldn’t keep their efforts on target.
However, City were caught cold a minute after the restart when Tammy Abraham finished with ease after running onto Solanke’s pass to give Chelsea the lead on the night and extend their aggregate lead to three.
The young boys in sky blue refused to give up the chase despite the lengthening odds, and Wood’s shot was a yard the wrong side of the post before Bryan’s long range try sailed a similar distance wide.
Defender Jake Clarke-Salter came close to giving Chelsea a wider margin for error from a corner, before saving an almost certain goal at the other end – just nipping in ahead of Iheanacho to Angelino’s dangerous cross.
City’s fight to the end spirit was evident across the team - sub Isaac Buckley had a goal disallowed after being adjudged to have fouled the defender in the build up, while Barker’s powerful effort from some distance was blocked by a Chelsea torso.
Ruben Sammut might have made it three for the home side on the night but his low, drilled effort flew wide via an outstretched fingertip from Haug.
Time was against the young blues, and although they were eventually forced to concede defeat and collect runners-up medals, Wilcox will be hugely proud of the skill and endeavour shown by his charges who excelled in every round to get to this stage.
Stronger and richer for this experience, they will be aiming to go one better in 2016.
