FA Youth Cup Final

Xavi6

Preview taken from another site -

Youth Cup Final Preview

Time to take a step back from the recent struggles of the first-team to the talented Under 18s who are playing the First Leg of the FA Youth Cup Final against Chelsea on Thursday. Forget the money and materialistic world that the world of football now exists in, this competition witnesses the pure drive and ambition of players to seek the their first taste of silverware in an attempt to make themselves known. It would be a magnificent achievement for the youngsters of Manchester City to claim a first-leg advantage and go on to lift the trophy.

Without attempting to be bias, the under 18s have shown over the past few years that they have the talent and ability to beat any of their counterparts. They have an incredible record in the academy league table, having already won it with 57 points from 23 matches and eight points above their closest rivals with games still remaining. City will be desperate to win the competition two years after they lost 3-2 on aggregate at the same stage to the hands of Liverpool. In fact, City have only managed to win the Youth Cup once back in 1986 despite making the final five times. They have never been so well equipped to turn that around though, with Daniel Sturridge once again lining up in attack along with a host of other names expecting to make an impact on the first-team in the years to come.

City will have to step up a gear from the performance in the semi-final against Sunderland. A 1-0 victory for Sunderland at Eastlands in the second leg was not enough for them to progress, having lost to City 2-1 at the Stadium of Light but it sent a warning that City could not afford to relax. The usually-clinical team had a slight off-day but if this season is anything to go by then the academy of Manchester City have a massive chance of finally claiming some silverware that they well and truly deserve. Daniel Sturridge is the highest profile player in the under 18s and can be considered somewhat of a veteran of the competition. He has formed an effective partnership with goal-poacher David Ball - another name to keep an eye on - with goals being scored from nothing. Other players to watch are Slovakian winger Vladimir Weiss, described by Sunderland’s Michael Liddle as “so fast and so skilful…I think he's the best player I've played against in my career.”, and Liberian wonderkid Alex Nimely-Tchuimeni, who has made a name for himself in the CAF Champions League and now impressing in City’s reserve and academy sides. So great the occasion is though that any player has the opportunity of making them known in the hope of following Richards and other footballers nationwide that have been successful in the top-flight and beyond.

Manchester City were last victorious in the Youth Cup back in 1986, where they beat rivals Manchester United 3-1 on aggregate. Many figures from that team went onto playing important roles for City in the future, including the likes of White, Lake, Hinchliffe and Redmond (thanks Crossie). A similar outcome would be very welcome and give Jim Cassell and the academy team the rewards they deserve.

Key Dates
Final 1st Leg - Thursday 2nd April at Stamford Bridge (away tie)
Final 2nd Leg - Wednesday 16th April at City of Manchester Stadium (home tie)

The story so far
Round Three: Manchester City 5-1 Millwall
Round Four: Reading 1-3 Manchester City
Round Five: Bristol City 2-4 Manchester City
Round Six: Plymouth Argyle 1-4 Manchester City
Semi Final 1st Leg: Sunderland 0-2 Manchester City
Semi Final 2nd Leg: Manchester City 0-1 Sunderland (Manchester City win 2-1 on aggregate)

Last starting lineup (Semi Final 2nd Leg): Hartley, Trippier, McGivern, Boyata, Mee (c), Kay, Weiss, Tutte, Ball, Sturridge, McDermott. Subs: Nimely-Tchuimeni, Johansen, Ramsey, Tsiaklis, Mak.

The opposition
Chelsea’s foreign legion have been put together with some of the best young players around. Their relatively poor position in the academy league (7th with 34 points from 23 games) cannot be underestimated and their strong cup form and the first home leg tie gives them the perfect opportunity to gain a foothold in the final. Manchester City though can be fairly optimistic with their chances and, in the hope that this does not backfire, can leave Stamford Bridge with the upper-hand and take full advantage going into the second leg.

The Academy
The success of the academy is comparable with those considered the best in the world, with 25 players in total progressing into the first-team. Such figures are unrecognisable in comparison to other top-flight clubs and City’s survival in the Premiership since their return to it in 2002 can be thanked largely to the work of the academy and the players that have been produced through it. The contributions of Shaun-Wright Phillips, Joey Barton and Micah Richards to name just a few have formed the backbone of teams and without them I would hazard a guess that Manchester City would not be in the current fortunate position of being owned by a billionaire and having a world-class manager. The three names mentioned are all England internationals, with many other graduates of the academy having full internationals and U21 caps themselves and have generated close to £30m in transfer receipts. Special praise must be given to Jim Cassell, having worked magic since he joined the club in 1997 and has shown he is as important to the club as anyone.

Despite Sven Goran-Eriksson stepping in as manager with a major transfer chest, youth players have continued to thrive with Richards, Onouha and Ireland playing vital roles in the successful season. Ched Evans, Kelvin Etuhu and Shaleum Logan made their first-team debuts where they made positive impressions and will return to the club next season from their loan-clubs ready to battle for the first XI. High-profile managers, such as Benitez, have bemoaned the cost of academies and declared they are “not working”, but the success of the City academy and that of Middlesbrough and West Ham show exactly just how important they are in the survival of a club in the top-flight. In the great words of Jim Cassell, "You have to work hard at something, and believe in it, to have a chance of being successful - youth development is no different.”

Massive chance for the City boys to win some silverware and going on their performances this season they certainly deserve it.

First leg tonight is live on Chelsea TV with the scond leg at the CoMS live on Sky sports.

Come on City!

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Xavi6 wrote: »

Massive chance for the City boys to win some silverware

Will it change the counter in the SE though?

ditpoker

read about this when i was at city-spurs. any idea if Ian Daly is in the squad? young irish fella...

zAbbo

Some decent players in there for City, they also got to the youth cup final 2 years back, but Liverpool have won it the last 2 years in a row.

Sturridge looks quality

Xavi6

ditpoker wrote: »

read about this when i was at city-spurs. any idea if Ian Daly is in the squad? young irish fella...

Do you mean Michael Daly? I know for definite he's Irish as I used to kick ball with him on the street as a kid. He's getting a run out for the reserves a bit at the moment. Don't know much about an Ian tbh.

Paul Tergat

no id say he means Ian, been a regular at Ireland youth level and does play for city...his brother is a mate of mine in college. Think he was nominated for one of the youth awards in the FAI awards this year!

Xavi6

Ah fair enough. Two Daly's it is so!

Xavi6

City secure 1-1 draw in Youth Cup Final first leg

The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.On 2007/08 Final 1st Leg

Chelsea v Manchester City

Thursday April 3, 2008, 7.00pm
Stamford Bridge, London - Att: 11,980

Chelsea:
Taylor, Twumasi (c), Bruma, van Aanholt, Gordon, Woods, Stoch, Mellis, Nielsen (Phillip 62), Tejera, Kakuta.

unused subs: Heimann, Taiwo, Philliskirk, Nouble.

Manchester City:
Hartley, Trippier, Mee (c), McGivern, Tutte, Boyata, Weiss, Kay, Ball (Ibrahim 86), Sturridge, McDermott (Tsiaklis 72).

unused subs: Mentel (GK), Poole, Nimely-Tchuimeni.

Goals: 0-1 Sturridge 49, 1-1 Kakuta 66

Bookings

Chelsea: Nielsen 24, Mellis 79

City:

Referee: P.Walton

Pre match

After a long build up to the final, it's here and the team are ready. The coaching staff had one big decision to make prior to kick-off - who would be number one? First choice Filip Mentel was fit to return, but Greg Hartley, impressive throughout the cup run kept his place.

The match

City sprang to life after six minutes and it was a fine run from Vladimir Weiss that led to strong penalty appeals as van Aaholt appeared to clip the flying Slovakian but on closer inspection Weiss tripped himself. And after retaining possession, Weiss found David Ball who worked an early sniff of goal first, before Danny Sturridge pulled his left footed effort wide.

On 17 minutes City broke free again and Sturridge this time had a run of his own from deep that ended in him testing Rhys Taylor in the home goal.

It was the Manchester blues who threatened again after 21 minutes. Captain Ben Mee met McDermott’s corner from the right with a firm header which took a fine stop from Taylor to tip the ball behind.

But four minutes later Chelsea thought they had opened the score for the night – but a keen-eyed Mr Walton brought an end to the home fans' cheers and booked Nielsen for the use of an arm before he lobbed over Hartley and into the net.

Greg Hartley was called into action on 35 minutes as Chelsea worked a clever free-kick from the left. Stoch pulled the ball back for Tejera to hit a shot that Hartley did well to reach.

As we reached half time (or quarter time in terms of the tie) it had been a lively 45 minutes with both sides playing good football and going for goals but none had been scored thus far.

HALF TIME: Chelsea 0-0 City

No substitutions at the break and the second half opened as lively as the first.

The only difference now though was a goal and it went to City on 49 minutes. It came as a result of another great run from Weiss.

He frightened the Chelsea backline and this time the tricky Slovak released the ball at the perfect time for Danny Sturridge to take it on the run and after one touch he drove the ball home to give City the lead.

On 57 minutes Chelsea thought they should have had a penalty, but Tejera wasn’t fooling Premier League referee Peter Walton as he delayed going down in the box.

As we reached the hour mark, the home side pressed again and Hartley needed to beat away a fierce drive from Nielsen. Growing pressure from Chelsea.

A minute later Ball had the beating of Twumasi and Taylor needed to be at full stretch to deny City the chance to double their lead. But on 64 minutes Ball managed to fire over from about 12-yards out after Weiss had raced clear down the right again.

And unfortunately for City that missed proved a key one as Chelsea equalised on 66 minutes. The dangerman in the build up for the hosts was meant to be Gael Kakuta and so it proved as he put a bullet of a header in off the crossbar to make it 1-1.

It sounds stupid to say, but the goal not only levelled the score, but evened the game out. Slight caution crept in to the play of both sides and maybe nerves infront of a crowd of nearly 12,000.

There was caution too with the a City substitution four minutes from time as the seemingly tireless David Ball was replaced and applauded for his immense efforts but Abdi Ibrahim.

But in the last minute Chelsea almost grabbed a winner on the night as they broke quickly with Kakuta and he was unlucky as his powerful drive fizzed just wide – much to the relief of an impressive City following.

So in the end a very good result for the young Blues and they will count on the support of the City fans in the second leg on Wednesday April 16, kick-off 7.45, please get there early.

FULL TIME: Chelsea 1-1 City

Good result for us at the Bridge. Hopefully we can get a win at CoMS next week.

Bubs101

Had the Chelsea team got any of the impressive youth players that we poached a couple of years ago like Sinclair or Mancienne in it or were these proper Chelsea products? Either way, not a bad result for us. From what I remember from last years final the home advantage counts for little. Impressive attendance for a youth match as well

Xavi6

Mancienne was on loan to QPR last time I heard and Sinclair has played first team a bit this season. Don't think either will cut it at the top level. The city fans said that the lad who scored for Chelsea looked like an excellent prospect and that himself and Sturridge were head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch.

Bubs101

If Champo is anything to go on, Sturridge will be in the first team next year

Xavi6

Bubs101 wrote: »

If Champo is anything to go on, Sturridge will be in the first team next year

He's already been in it this year and scored twice.

shoutman

Was talking to a lad during the summer who is in the Manchester United Academy, he said that the City Academy is far superior and that most young English players would have it as their first choice when it came to signing for someone. Things are looking good for City it seems.

Xavi6

Congratulations to Jim Cassell and all the players for a fantastic win over Chelsea tonight. Missing Daniel Sturridge was a big blow and to come from a goal down to win showed great character. Keep an eye out for winger Vladimir Weiss. He is the shizzle.

What a fantastic turn out too. Just under 20,000! Plus Sven and 14 of the first team.

Report -

The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.On 2007/08 Final 2nd Leg

Manchester City v Chelsea

Wednesday April 16, 2008, 7.45pm
City of Manchester Stadium - Att: 19,780

Manchester City:
Hartley, Trippier (Ibrahim 90), Mee (C), McGivern, Tutte, Boyata (Tsiaklis 82), Weiss, Kay, Ball, Mak, McDermott.

unused subs: Mentel (GK), Poole, Nimely-Tchuimeni.

Chelsea:
Taylor, Twumasi (C), Bruma, van Aanholt, Gordon (Nouble 73), Woods, Stoch, Mellis, Nielsen (Phillip 54), Tejera, Kakuta.

unused subs: Hadehia, Taiwo, Saville.

Goals: 0-1 (1-2 agg) McGivern og 7, 1-1 (2-2) Mee 24, 2-1 (3-2) Weiss 35, 3-1 (4-2) Ball 87

Bookings

City: Mee 61

Chelsea: Twumasi 33

Red Card

Chelsea: Mellis 90

Referee: Mr P.Walton

Pre match

City have been dealt a bad blow ahead of kick-off with the news that Danny Sturridge has been ruled out of the 2008 FA Youth Cup Final. The first leg goalscorer misses out after picking up a knee injury in the process of winning the City senior side a penalty on Saturday.

And that's the only change between the two sides from the first leg at Stamford Bridge and of course both teams are locked at 1-1.

The match

The game was quick to get up to the pace of the first leg as on five minutes Miroslav Stoch hit a 25-yard drive that had Hartley diving to cover as it bounced wide.

That was an early signal of intent from the hosts as Stoch almost reached a reverse pass from Tejera less than 60 seconds later.

But unfortunately almost immediately Chelsea's pressure paid off with the opening goal of the night. Jacob Mellis broke two challenges on the edge of the box before drawing a save from Hartley, unfortunately for Ryan McGivern, the ball spun up and hit him before painful landing in the net as an own goal.

City’s first repost came after 10 minutes as Donal McDermott slipped a nice ball through the middle for midfielder Andrew Tutte to latch onto. He could only release a first time shot not strong enough to test Rhys Taylor in the Chelsea goal.

On 13, Robbie Mak, the replacement for the injured Sturridge showed he was an able one as he cut in from the left to unleash a fizzing shot from distance which had David Ball sniffing for any spillage by Taylor.

In the 23rd minute a fine passage of football all round saw City denied by a great save from Taylor. It was the main threat Weiss with a lovely run, this time from the left, and as he cut in he squared to Tutte who fired a beautiful drive that Taylor did fantastically well to turn over.

And it was from that corner where City found their leveller on 24 minutes. Andrew Tutte played a one-two with McGivern and the previously denied Scouse midfielder drove down the right to put in a Gerrard-esque cross from the right that demanded to be headed home and skipper Ben Mee did just that from five-yards out. Game on!

After Vladimir Weiss switched wings to the left, he began to hurt the London side as he did in the first game. This was typified with a great run which left the Chelsea captain with no option but to haul him down 20-yards out and earn the night’s first booking on 33 minutes.
And how they were to pay the ultimate penalty as the Slovakian winger picked himself up to curl a delightful free-kick into the corner to give City the lead.

The Blues comeback had shocked Chelsea and City continued to press for their third goal of the night. Twice Robbie Mak broke away, only to be tracked down by the Chelsea defence, but another important moment came just two minutes before the break.

Having just refused a penalty claim at one end, as Stoch (by now being booed for ‘histrionics’) went down too easily, referee Walton matched it by not giving a penalty when Weiss appeared to be brought down then pulled back as he tried to regain possession.

Soon though the whistle was being blown on a fantastic first half with Weiss the undoubted star.

HALF TIME: City 2(3)-1(2) Chelsea

So no changes at the break as City looked to grab a vital goal to give themselves a two-goal advantage.

And they were being cheered on by no less than 14 of the City first team as well as Sven-Goran Eriksson and Hans Backe.

An early chance apiece came and went too, as firstly McGivern’s driven cross was well cut out inside the six-yard box. Chelsea hit back as Spanish striker Tereja flashed a right-footed shot just wide from the edge of the box on 48 minutes.

After a slight lull in the game, Ben Mee went into the book for a rash challenge on Chelsea dangerman, Gael Kakuta as we passed the hour mark.

On 70 minutes it took a vital tackle from Ben Mee to prevent Chelsea supersub, Adam Phillip, from racing clear for a chance to add to his goal record.

Chelsea applied the pressure again 14 minutes from time as Frank Nouble whipped in a glorious low ball from the right, which City did extremely well to clear and cued more tense screams from the near 20,000 crowd.

As the pressure reached boiling point, City broke away from a Chelsea corner and Vladimir Weiss showed his unending energy running almost the full length of the pitch before being brought down by Tejera for a penalty.

So three minutes from time David Ball stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot for his 30th goal of the season and vitally give City a 3-1 lead.
It was too much for the visitors and in stoppage time Jacob Mellis was sent off for a nasty challenge on Trippier as he showed no intent to go for the ball.

After a lengthy stoppage for the Trippier injury, he was carried off to a hero’s reception and shortly after the final whistle followed.

Finally after 22 years of hurt, City’s youth team have claimed the FA Youth Cup again, beating Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate.

FULL TIME: City 3(4) - 1(2) Chelsea

Jim Cassell -

"I can’t tell you how pleased I am – it must be obvious to everybody.

“We have had a personal campaign if you like over the years to try and win the Youth Cup because I feel what we’ve done within the Academy system, at some stage, we deserved to get a national trophy for it.

“Everybody knows that it’s about producing players, we have done that and I hope we continue to do that, but it’s so emotional and rewarding to win the Youth Cup.

“It’s a national trophy and we are the champions and I’m so proud of all the boys and for the staff.

“I think that the real people that need the credit, of course, are the players because they have to go out and do it.

“Obviously there’s a lot of attention on Alex and myself but at the end of the day everybody within the Club on the Academy side has done their job. It should be just reward for them as well as the players.”

A fantastic achievement and shows again just how good our academy is.

iregk

I watched the game last night and it was a pretty good match. Some great football on display. The funny thing is the Chelsea side played and lined out exactly as the senior side do, same tactis. The two wide men had moments of brilliance, Stoch and Kakuta.

What surprised me a lot was the pace of the game. These lads are under 18 and the speed of most of them, particular city on the break caught my eye a lot. City looked very good. Great out wide, super counter attack but not a huge amount going through the middle. I was thinking if Chelsea brought Kakuta into the middle then could cause city a lot more problems.

That said of all the players on the pitch Kakuta caught my eye the most. He wasn't in the game for a lot of it and only had moments but those moments he showed great technique and flair. I hope he is a player who keeps on developing. That said the chap on the left for city was class as well, can't remember his name.

Nalz

There is a good few Irish at City and United youths lately. Great to see...

Xavi6

iregk wrote: »

That said the chap on the left for city was class as well, can't remember his name.

Twas the aforementioned Vladimir Weiss. He looks special.

iregk

Thats the chap and yeah one to keep a close eye on. Plenty of tricks in his bag, great pace but constantly looking up when on the ball. Skinned some chelsea lads all night last night and used his tricks well. Doesn't go all Ronaldo on us and do them for the sake of doing them but I like the way he just drew defenders in, flick of the foot and he was away.

dc69

the barge at the end was a bit uncalled for,bitter player.

PHB

Good to see local lads winning, Manchester City have a great youth policy imo

dc69

PHB wrote: »

Good to see local lads winning, Manchester City have a great youth policy imo

very true.