Manchester City brought an end to Leeds United’s fairytale run as they turned on the style to win the FA Youth Cup.
Second-half goals from Justin Oboavwduo, Jaden Heskey, Stephen Mfuni and Matty Warhurst helped secure City their first Youth Cup title since a side led by Cole Palmer won it in 2020. It is their fourth in club history.
Leeds’ golden generation of youngsters arrived at the Etihad Stadium chasing history, looking to emulate the 1997 side that last won this competition.
Jonathan Woodgate and Harry Kewell were among those ranks, and Rob Etherington’s side were daring to dream after an excellent run to the final saw them knock off Norwich City, Brighton, Sheffield United, Liverpool and Millwall.
City, led by Ben Wilkinson, the son of iconic former Leeds boss Howard, started brighter and thought they had they had made the breakthrough midway through the first half when right winger Farid Alfa-Ruprecht lashed into the net, only to be flagged for offside following the pass from Matty Henderson-Hall.
Man City secured their first Youth Cup title since a side led by Cole Palmer won it in 2020
Justin Oboavwduo set City on their way when he converted from close range just after the break
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Leeds responded well by piecing together their best move of the opening 45 minutes as Josh McDonald burst down the left, flashing a ball across the box, only to somehow evade everyone.
Heskey, son of former England international Emile, cut a frustrated figure in the first half as he missed two opportunities to open the scoring.
The first saw him misdirect a header from Alfa-Ruprecht’s cross, while the second saw Heskey scoop over the bar on the volley after a breakdown in the Leeds defence from a corner.
But there would be redemption for Heskey and for City as they scored twice before the hour mark to take firm control of this final.
Oboavwduo set City on their way when he converted from close range at the second time of asking, first seeing his initial strike parried by goalkeeper Rory Mahady.
Alfa-Ruprecht, who was the pick of the bunch for City on the night, was the architect of the second.
He slipped the view of Leeds captain Daniel Toulson and burst in behind the left back before cutting back for Heskey to slot in, putting his first half frustrations behind him.
Stephen Mfuni added a third when he had the envious task of nodding in on the line after Kian Noble’s header back across goal from a free-kick caught out a flat-footed Mahady.
Jaden Heskey scooped his volley over the bar after a breakdown in the Leeds defence
Man City’s youngsters were playing in their sixth final in the past 10 seasons and put on an accomplished display
Matty Warhurst, sent on as a substitute with the game won, got a goal of his own with a smart breakaway move, haring 40 yards before he slotted low into the bottom corner.
City, in their sixth final in the past 10 seasons, sent yet another timely reminder of the standard rivals need to meet from their first team to the youth team in what finished up as an accomplished display from Wilkinson’s side.
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