What happened...
Manchester City and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw in the FA Youth Cup final first leg at the Academy Stadium.
Ike Ugbo put Chelsea ahead on the stroke of half-time before Phil Foden equalised for the hosts ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.
As has become the norm with the previous Youth Cup finals contested between these two sides, Chelsea appeared to have the physical advantage.
City’s midfielders weren’t to be outfought early on though with Foden, Jacob Davenport and Matt Smith all holding their own as the ball changed possession numerous times on the halfway line.
It was Foden who had City’s first serious chance of the match midway through the first half, firing a right-footed effort just wide of the post from 25 yards.
Lukas Nmecha came closest to opening the scoring for City in the first half when he broke through the defensive line and slid his shot past Thompson in the Chelsea goal only to see it roll behind off the post.
City found themselves behind before the interval however with Callum Hudson-Odoi reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box and squaring for Ike Ugbo to slam home.
The Blues took the game to the visitors in the second half and when Jadon Sancho nicked the ball from the Chelsea defence, he looked for the run of Foden. The England U17 international ran straight at the Chelsea goal before rifling his effort into the opposite corner.
A tense half hour followed with neither side looking to commit too many men forward with next week’s second leg in mind.
View highlights of the semi-final thrashing of Stoke City below...
Key moment...
Aro Muric had made some impressive saves in the first half and when he made another from Callum Hudson-Odoi just before half-time, City were unlucky the ball returned to the Chelsea attacker.
He passed to Ike Ugbo and Chelsea were ahead.
Man of the match...
Phil Foden – The Stockport-born midfielder is enjoying a season to remember and a goal in the FA Youth Cup final only adds to that.
Foden had to do much of his work off the ball throughout the evening but when presented with the opportunity, he produced a clinical finish to get City back on level terms.
How they lined up...
Arijanet Muric continued in goal.
Demeaco Duhaney was at right-back with Sadou Diallo and captain Ed Francis in the centre and Tyreke Wilson at left-back.
Jacob Davenport sat behind the more progressive central midfielders Matt Smith and Phil Foden.
Brahim Diaz and Jadon Sancho were the wingers on either side of central striker Lukas Nmecha.
