Having lost the first leg 3-1 at the CFA, Wilcox made a couple of changes to the side, bringing in the more physical Marcus Wood and the exceptionally talented Kelechi Iheanacho, who has already had experience with the first team in the pre-season tour of America in the summer of 2014.
Chelsea fielded a similar side to what they put out in the first leg, with Jeremie Boga coming in for Ruben Sammut.
City made a promising start to the game and soon struck through Youth Cup debutant Iheanacho in the 5th minute. Barker drifted infield and fed Nemane out wide. The winger drove the ball into a dangerous area, where Iheanacho popped up and stabbed home.
The Young Blues began efficiently, matching the intensity and aggression that Chelsea had in the first encounter at the Academy Stadium.
But the lost their concentration for a split-second in the 19th minute and paid the price. Izzy Brown nodded home from a corner to level on the night for the home side. In all fairness, it was a massively soft goal to give away.
They still played in the same manner though, and not long after had a great chance to regain the lead. Maffeo drilled in an exquisite cross; Iheanacho peeled away from his marker and powered a header goalwards. Collins in the Chelsea goal produced a fine save to deny the lively Nigerian.
City’s first half display was much-improved from what we saw at the Academy Stadium last week, with the likes of Barker and Angelino more involved down the left. They caused numerous problems for Chelsea and put them under a great deal of pressure, but lacked a bit of that killer instinct in attack.
HT Chelsea 1-1 City.
City’s first half display had shown plenty of encouragement, but they were immediately undone and were pegged back even further at the start of the second half. After Wood lost possession, Solanke unselfishly played in Abraham, who slammed home with aplomb.
To give credit to Chelsea, they started the second half with a renewed vigour and purpose, while City were caught sleeping.
They stepped things up after that however, but the youngsters were running the risk of committing too many men forward and leaving too much space for Chelsea on the break. The holders were ruthlessly superb, yet the Sky Blues themselves played some great football in what was a great advert for both academy setups.
Substitute Isaac Buckley had the ball in the net in the 74th minute; however the striker committed a blatant foul prior to his header finding the net on the rebound.
Ultimately City fell short to a strong, physically imposing and complete side but there is reason aplenty to be proud of Wilcox’s side achievements in this competition. They stuck to their principles and displayed plenty of promise. City fans should be hopeful that some of these prodigies will progress to the first team in the near future.
FT Chelsea 2-1 City. (5-2 on aggregate.)
