Five star City advance to FA Youth Cup fifth round after Arsenal triumph

The Blues had an outstandingly clinical first half with goals from Kaden Braithwaite, Tyrone Samba and Christian Dunbar-McDonald seeing us lead by four goals.

But we wouldn’t record a clean sheet as Max Hudson conceded a penalty late into the first half as Ceadach O’Neill netted.

The second 45 saw the tempo calm down dramatically and it wasn’t until the 85th minute where we would see another goal with Brando Bailey-Joseph firing home.

Then, 15-year-old Xavier Parker rounded off the scoring in the fifth minute of added time to safely secure our passage into the fifth round where we face Chelsea.

What happened 

City started the game on the front foot with an early spell of possession and were moving the ball well in Arsenal’s half.

Oliver Reiss’ side were looking to seek revenge after a semi-final heartbreak last time we played the Gunners in the FA Youth Cup back in 2023.

And City almost found a way through inside 10 minutes as Floyd Samba’s shot on the volley was saved by Jack Porter’s legs before the ball rebounded, but City were unable to capitalise on the chance. 

City continued to probe the Gunners and it saw Floyd Samba win a free kick on the edge of the box. City captain Braithwaite stepped up and sent a clinical curling set piece into the bottom corner.

Arsenal would not be shaken and a fantastic John Stones-esque clearance from Dante Headley stopped the North London side from creeping back into the game almost immediately after the restart.

We doubled our advantage in the 37th minute as T. Samba netted the rebound from his brother Floyd and we looked to be in a comfortable position heading into half-time.

On the cusp of half-time Dunbar-McDonald added our third goal of the game before T. Samba added a fourth and City were absolutely flying. 

O’Neill netted for the visitors in additional time from the penalty spot after Max Hudson came running out to claim the ball and it would act as the final moment of action from the first 45.

The start of the second half mirrored the beginning of the first with neither side managing to carve out clear-cut chances.

65th minute substitute Parker came the closest as we edged past half an hour left to play before Bailey-Joseph halved the deficit with five minutes to go.

But Parker would not be denied again, scoring his first FA Youth Cup goal in what was a successful evening for Oliver Reiss’ side at the Joie Stadium.

Teams 

CITY XI | Hudson, Headley, Drake, Courtman (Tevenan 78’), Braithwaite (C), Miles, Dunbar-McDonald (Gorman 81’), F. Samba, Midwood (Parker 65’), T. Samba
(Whisker 90+3), R. Heskey

SUBS | Alvarado, Barrett, Oliver

ARSENAL XI | Porter, Owusu-Gyasi (Pedro 65’) , Ogunnaike, Onyekachuhkwu, Hamill (C), Ibrahim (Hashi 77’), Bailey-Joseph, Murisa (Zecevic-John 45’), O’Neill, Julienne, Thompson (Harriman-Annous 59’)

SUBS | Talbot, Chapman, Marciniak

As a result

We progress to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup where we will face Chelsea.

Keep across mancity.com and the official app for confirmation on our trip to the capital.

Up next

City’s Under-18s will return to league action on Saturday 24 January, with our trip to Blackburn Rovers set for a 11:00 (UK) kick-off.

Fans with a CITY+ subscription will be able to watch all the action live on our website and app.