The Blues competed well in an evenly matched first half, with both sides creating promising moments, but neither was able to break the deadlock before the interval. However, the game swung decisively in City’s favour shortly after the restart.

One minute into the second half, Floyd Samba opened the scoring for the visitors. Manchester City then doubled their advantage three minutes later through Dante Headley, before Xavier Parker added a third soon after to leave Chelsea with a steep task.

Former Blue Ryan McAidoo made it four in the closing stages, effectively sealing the tie. Despite continued effort from the hosts, the only reply came in stoppage time, when Kavuma-McQueen found the net, but it was not enough to prevent Chelsea Under-18s from exiting the competition at the fifth-round stage.

Lively beginning

The tie got off to an energetic start at Kingsmeadow, played in front of a packed Academy crowd for the highly anticipated FA Youth Cup knockout fixture.

It was the visitors who fashioned the first opening of the evening when Reigan Heskey unleashed a powerful low strike, but Chelsea defender Dante Waite made a crucial block to divert the effort and prevent an early breakthrough. The tempo was set early, signalling an action-packed contest.

City threatened again soon after, with Tyrone Samba making good use of the flank before shooting from a tight angle. Keeper Freddy Bernal remained alert and composed, producing a smart save to keep the scores level.

We responded positively and went close ourselves moments later. Kavuma-McQueen did well to win possession high up the pitch before unleashing a venomous strike that looked destined for the top corner, only to see the ball crash against the crossbar and bounce over. It was the Blues’ clearest chance of the opening exchanges.

Building on that momentum, Chelsea continued to test the City back line. Kavuma-McQueen was again the creator, slipping the ball through to captain Shumaira Mheuka, whose strike from a tight angle was well saved by Max Hudson.

We grew further into the contest and began to turn up the pressure. Mathis Eboue surged down the opposite flank and fired a low effort across goal, which narrowly rolled past the far post. Kingsmeadow was fully engaged as the chances continued to flow.

City remained a threat themselves and went close just past the half-hour mark, Parker capitalising on a loose pass to fire a low shot towards goal, but Bernal reacted brilliantly to push the effort wide.

As the first half drew to a close, we were called upon to defend resolutely. Lewi Richards produced a superb goal-line clearance after Headley whipped in a dangerous cross, denying City the opener. The visitors had one final opportunity before the break when McAidoo struck from a tight angle, but his effort drifted wide of the far post, ensuring the sides went into the interval goalless after an eventful opening 45 minutes.

Caught off guard

We suffered a set-back immediately after the restart, as Manchester City broke the deadlock. Following a quick press, Samba collected the ball, drove into the area and drilled a low effort into the bottom corner. Bernal got a hand to the shot but was unable to keep it out, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The Blues looked for an immediate response and appealed for a penalty shortly afterwards when Eboue went down inside the area under a challenge from Headley, but the referee waved away the claims.

A flurry of Chelsea chances followed as the hosts searched for an equaliser. Mheuka curled an effort from the edge of the area that Hudson did well to palm away, before Kavuma-McQueen tested the keeper with a fierce low strike, once again met by a sharp save.

Tough moments

Manchester City eventually doubled their advantage midway through the second half. Headley picked up the ball in space on the edge of the area and unleashed a strike into the top corner, leaving Bernal with no chance. The task became even more difficult shortly afterwards when City added a third. McAidoo received the ball inside the area following another quick press and squared it for Parker, who finished into the bottom corner.

We continued to show determination despite the scoreline. Reggie Walsh attempted to spark a response with a driving run from midfield before firing narrowly over the crossbar, while Kavuma-McQueen saw another effort on target pushed away by the City keeper, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

City added a fourth in the closing stages. A long, looping ball forward from Kaden Braithwaite was brought under control by McAidoo who, with Bernal off his line, was able dribble away from a defender before finishing into the empty net.

We continued to battle until the final whistle and were rewarded with a goal deep into stoppage time. Kavuma-McQueen collected a pass from Walsh on the right flank, drove into the area and fired a powerful strike from a tight angle to give us a late consolation.

However, the comeback proved too late, and the final whistle confirmed Chelsea Under-18s’ exit from the FA Youth Cup.

What is next

Chelsea will return to Under-18 Premier League action on Saturday 14 February, travelling to face Aston Villa with kick-off at midday at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground. The match will be available to watch live free of charge on the Chelsea Official App and website.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Freddy Bernal; Lewi Richards, Dante Waite, Olutayo Subuloye, Landon Emenalo; Charlie Holland (Chizaram Ezenwata 70), Reggie Walsh, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (Reggie Watson 63); Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Shumaira Mheuka (c), Mathis Eboue (Kobe Barbour 63)
Unused subs: Hudson Sands, Riley Ebho, Calvin Diakite, Sol Gordon
Scorer: Kavuma-McQueen 90+3

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Max Hudson, Dante Headley, Leke Drake, Kaden Braithwaite (c), Marlow Barrett (Yohann Obin 84), Harrison Miles (Oliver Tevenan 88), Ryan McAidoo, Floyd Samba (Finlay Gorman 74), Xavier Parker (Teddie Lamb 82), Tyrone Samba, Reigan Heskey (Christian Dunbar-McDonald 75)
Unused subs: Ben Vickery, Dexter Oliver
Scorers: F Samba 46, Headley 63, Parker 66, McAidoo 88

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