City cruise into FA Youth Cup semi-finals with Everton win

After a tense first half, City firmly grabbed control of the quarter-final clash from the penalty spot just before the hour, with Floyd Samba converting from 12 yards.

The Toffees were then left with an uphill battle when they were reduced to 10 following a red card to Ademide Akarakiri.

And goals, two minutes apart, from Reigan Heskey and Teddie Lamb then confirmed City’s place in the final four where we will host Blackburn Rovers at the Joie Stadium.

WHAT HAPPENED

FA Youth Cup action always provides high entertainment, and the first half at a rain-lashed Joie Stadium certainly didn’t disappoint.

Inside the opening 20 minutes, City keeper Max Hudson made a handful of key saves to keep the Toffees at bay, with the visitors going closest via a close-range effort from Louis Poland.

At the other end, Floyd Samba, Reigan Heskey and Ryan McAidoo all kept Everton shot stopper Douglas Lukjanciks busy with a variety of efforts from around the opposition’s box.

Xavier Parker was also denied by the woodwork just before the half hour.

The City number nine was then unfortunate not to guide a quick rebound into the back of the Everton net from the inside of the six-yard box.

But it continued to fuel City’s fire as we closed out the half the better side, with Everton finding it difficult to break out of their own third.

After dominating the start of the second half, City were awarded a penalty after Xavier Parker was brought down in the box just shy of the hour mark.

Floyd Samba showed fantastic composure to place his spot kick into the bottom left corner.

Things went from bad to worse for Everton when Melvin Matos was shown a straight red card after an off the ball dispute on 62 minutes.

With more space in which to play, City ramped up the pressure and twice found the back of the Everton net in quick succession to put us firmly in the driving seat.

Reigan Heskey curled a dazzling first-time finish into the far corner on 73 minutes before substitute Lamb tapped home Floyd Samba’s cross with one of his first touches of the game two minutes later.

The victory on a cold, wet night at the Joie confirmed our place in the final four. 

We will welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Joie Stadium next month as we look to fight for a place in the final.

HOW WE LINED UP

CITY XI | Hudson, Headley, Drake, Braithwaite, Barrett (Courtman 79’), Miles, McAidoo (Wain 84’), F. Samba (Cassim 79’), X. Parker (Lamb 60’), T. Samba, R. Heskey.

SUBS | Vickery, Tevenan.

EVERTON XI | Lukjanciks, Lambert, Poland, Evans, McEveley, Matos (Murdock 70’), Pita (Doughty 79’), Akarakiri (Wren 84’), Loney (Robert 61’), Olayiwola, Graham (Nsangou 79’)

SUBS | Patrick, Brookes.

AS A RESULT

City are through to the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.

We will welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Joie Stadium to fight for a place in the prestigious final.

Keep across mancity.com and the Official Man City App for updates on a confirmed date and kick-off time.

UP NEXT

Our final game of March, before the international break begins, will see City travel to Burnley in our latest Under-18 Premier League North encounter.

Kick-off is set for 11:00 (UK) on Saturday 21 March, with the game available to watch live on mancity.com and the Official Man City App.