Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea
The FA Youth Cup
Semi-Final first leg
7pm, Friday 16 March 2012
Old Trafford, Manchester United FC
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Goals of the highest order from Amin Affane and Islam Feruz gave Chelsea a deserved win in the first leg of their FA Youth Cup Semi-Final against Manchester United.
Chelsea also won the first leg when these two sides met in last season’s Semi-Final. That 3-2 advantage was achieved at Stamford Bridge, but United ran away with the return leg to record a 4-0 win before they defeated Sheffield United in The Final.
So, despite being the stronger side over the 90 minutes, they will be aware that their job is only half done – especially after a James Wilson goal for United gave them something to play for.
Chelsea were good value for their first half lead when an excellent passing move ended with Luke Piazon showed strength on the edge of United’s area and set up Affane, who scored with a low left foot shot into the corner.
United went so close to equalising before half-time when Tyler Blackett let fly from a 35-yard free-kick and his sweet strike thundered against the Chelsea bar.
Chelsea were still the better team after the break, but the young United players came back into it as they seemed inspired by United first team manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Old Trafford director Sir Bobby Charlton, who were in the Old Trafford stands
And they scored an equaliser when Chelsea struggled to clear the ball following a United corner and Wilson was first to react to a loose ball and shot through the legs of Chelsea keeper Jamal Blackman.
Chelsea, who had bigger and stronger players in many areas of the pitch, replied in style, though, when Feruz struck the winner with a cracking drive from 25 yards.
It was probably a fair result on the night, but the tie is still evenly poised and there remains everything to play for in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United
Jonathan Sutherland; Liam Grimshaw, Luke McCullough (c), Nicholas Ioannou, Tyler Blackett; Jake Rudge (Luke Hendrie 75), Ben Pearson (Sam Byrne 75); Jack Barmby (Charni Ekangamene 91), Gyliano van Velzen, Mats Daehli; James Wilson
Subs not used Liam Jacob, Declan Dalley.
Goals James Wilson 62
Chelsea
Jamal Blackman; Todd Kane, Nathan Ake, Alex Davey, Adam Nditi (Nortei Nortey 85); John Swift, Nathaniel Chalobah (c), Lewis Baker; Lucas Piazon, Islam Feruz (Tom Howard 91), Amin Affane (Alex Kiwomya 64)
Subs not used Mitchell Beeney, Dion Conroy.
Goals Amin Affane 14, Islam Feruz 68
