- Man City win FA Youth Cup
- Victory secured with late goal
- First team stars watched on
Manchester City’s under-18s team have won the FA Youth Cup in a match which was watched by Pep Guardiola and a number of the men’s senior squad.
Man City had a huge chance to take the lead after 24 minutes, but Cameron Matthews denied Teddy Lamb from close range when the ball fell to him after a Man City free kick.
Dante Headly hit the deck inside United’s box 10 minutes later, but he was shown a yellow card for simulation.
Chido Obi had a chance at the other end soon after, but his shot was blocked. Had he instead squared the ball to Noah Ajayi, the visitors might have opened the scoring.
The Red Devils soon launched another attack, but JJ Gabriel suffered the same fate as Headly for a dive inside the penalty area.
City won a free kick in the 40th minute, and the game would see its first goal as Floyd Samba curled the ball into the top left corner, beating Cameron Byrne-Hughes in tremendous fashion.
Floyd Samba with an incredible free-kick to open the scoring for Man City in the FA Youth Cup final 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 14, 2026
📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/RZLqydTYt9
Then only a few minutes later, Jim Thwaites played a superb ball to Godwill Kukoni who headed dome, aided by the slip of Man City’s defender.
Half-time: Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United
Second half
Tyrone Samba should have been awarded a penalty kick soon after the break, but play continued, despite the fact the goalkeeper did not come close to winning the ball.
Reigan Heskey had a half-chance which could have restored City’s lead, but he was only able to hit the side netting.
Ryan McAidoo was the next player to have an opportunity. The winger made a brilliant run inside, and did everything right until it came to the finish, which he skied over the bar.
Gabriel could have delivered for the opposing team on the hour-mark, but he hit a tame effort straight at Max Hudson.
Lamb received a cross from Heskey four minutes onwards and tried a close range volley. However, he was unable to hit the target.
McAidoo had a shot deflected onto the bar in the 76th minute and it was Heskey this time who had the chance to score on the rebound. Unfortunately, his attempt had too much height.
With mere minutes remaining, it seemed like the match was heading for extra time, but then Heskey scored with a shot which was buried into the top right corner.
Man City regain their lead in the FA Youth Cup final with a brilliant strike from Reigan Heskey 🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 14, 2026
📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/zHJmo3Okox
Hudson made a good save in stoppage time to prevent a looping effort from going in, and one or two other strong defensive moments saw Man City crowned as champions of the FA Youth Cup.
Full-time: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
Over to Guardiola’s team
The youth team have got the job done against the Red Devils, and now it is the senior team’s turn to secure silverware on Saturday.
Man City will take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final, with kick off at 15:00 BST.
