City lose out to Chelsea in Under-18 Premier League National final

Strikes from Chizaram Ezenwata and Mathis Eboue gave the hosts a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes in the Stamford Bridge showpiece.

Though Ryan McAidoo pulled a goal back for the City youngsters in spectacular fashion on 18 minutes, Chelsea added a third before the half-time break through Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.

Oliver Reiss’ side strove hard after the break to summon up a response with McAidoo hitting the crossbar late on.

However, despite intense City pressure, substitute Sol Gordon netted a fourth for Chelsea on 90 minutes before Kavuma-McQueen struck again in the 14th minute of added time to ensure it was the hosts who claimed the prestigious prize.

The game in brief

Appropriately enough on the warmest day of the year, it was a clash that hit fever pitch right from the off.

City were seeking to add to last week’s memorable FA Youth Cup success.

But it was Chelsea who made the first inroads, striking twice within the first 10 minutes. 

They made a sixth minute breakthrough when a low Kavuma-McQueen drive was well saved by Ben Vickery with the rebound falling invitingly to Ezenwata who made no mistake from close range.

The task then got even tougher for Reiss’ troops when Chelsea struck again two minutes later through Eboue.

The left winger drove down the channel before drilling a low shot across Vickery and into the far corner of the net to double the hosts’ advantage.

It needed an urgent response from City – and McAidoo answered the call on 18 minutes with a stunning strike.

Pitted against his former club, the right winger drove at the Londoners down the right flank before unleashing a stunning 20-yard drive to halve the deficit.

One felt the next goal could be key and it was Chelsea who prevailed, Kavuma-McQueen restoring their two-goal lead eight minutes before the break.

The right winger powered upfield into the heart of the box before his shot low drive evaded Vickery.

And it needed a crucial save from Vickery on the brink of half time to prevent Olutayo Subuloye extending the Chelsea lead, the keeper tipping over a fierce header.

Lead coach Reiss opted to make a triple change at the start of the second half to try and inspire a quick response with Floyd Samba, Reigan Heskey and Karim Cassim all being introduced.

And it took a sublime save from Freddy Bernal to deny Teddie Lamb on 68 minutes after a wonderful Heskey charge.

City continued to press and harry with McAidoo rattling the crossbar but the final word went to the hosts.

First substitute Sol Gordon rounded Vickery to score on 90 minutes before Kavuma-McQueen claimed his second and Chelsea’s fifth in the 104th minute to seal the deal.

How City lined up

Ben Vickery was in goal and shielded by a back four of Dante Headley, Leke Drake, skipper Kaden Braithwaite and Jake Wain.

Harrison Miles was the holding midfielder with Xavier Parker and Finley Gorman also in the Blues’ engine room.

Teddie Lamb was the attacking spearhead with Ryan McAidoo and Tyrone Samba providing the attacking width.

CHELSEA XI | Bernal, Richards (Watson 74), Waite (C), Subuloye, Diakite (Alao 62), Emenalo, Kavuma-McQueen, Nicoll-Jazuli, Ezenwata, Walsh, Eboue (Gordon 65)

SUBS | Bell, Greenwood.

CITY XI | Vickery, Headley (Courtman 74), Drake, Braithwaite (C), Wain, Miles, McAidoo, Gorman (Cassim 45), Lamb, X. Parker (Floyd Samba 45), T. Samba. (R. Heskey 45)

SUBS | Grigg. 

What it means

Despite a second successive loss in the Premier League Under-18 National final following a loss to Aston Villa last term, it has still been a campaign to remember for City.

Reiss’s side secured both the Under-18 North crown as well as lifting the FA Youth Cup.

A season to savour then for Oliver Reiss and his players.

What’s next

A much deserved summer of rest and recuperation.