Chelsea batters Manchester City to win 4th straight FA Youth Cup
Chelsea's supremacy in the under-18 level of English football rolled into its fourth year, as the young Blues saw out a 6-2 aggregate victory over Manchester City's fledglings on Wednesday to win the FA Youth Cup once more.
Goals from Trevor Chalobah, Ike Ugbo, the impressive Callum Hudson-Odoi, Dujon Sterling, and Cole Dasilva at Stamford Bridge were a fair reflection of an occasion which saw the host out-muscle and overwhelm a technically gifted yet physically inferior City, winning 5-1 on the day.
The visitor's consolation was neatly tucked in by Lukas Nmecha, but Lee Carsley's side had no response against a well-drilled Chelsea. His tactical conundrums were epitomised by the continued selections of Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz - two exciting players who differ in approach, but should ultimately be selected as a sole No. 10 at the expense of the other.
Chelsea's players seemed to revel in strutting their stuff in front of the national television cameras, and first-team manager Antonio Conte clearly enjoyed observing the club's young charges from the stands. Senior captain John Terry and former teammate Frank Lampard were also in attendance to watch Jody Morris' talented under-18 ranks.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Chelsea is often subjected to criticism for the lack of player progression from the academy into Premier League matters. The midweek hoisting of silverware marked the Blues' fifth Youth Cup triumph in six years, but the bit-part roles for Nathaniel Chalobah, Nathan Ake, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek this term have been the only real evidence of homegrown products making the jump since Terry emerged in 1998.
A star from last season's cup run, Tammy Abraham, is hoped to be given a chance under Conte in 2017-18, however, after starring on loan at Bristol City since last August.
City, on the other hand, has poured £200 million of Abu Dhabi United Group's riches into the Etihad Campus, which houses the senior side, the women's squad, and youth sides and was opened in 2014. The ambitious outfit will expect to become a regular fixture in domestic and continental youth tournaments for the foreseeable future.