Adi Viveash has praised his young Chelsea side for the spirit and determination they showed to claw back a two-goal deficit and beat Fulham to win The FA Youth Cup on Monday evening.
The Blues went in to Monday's second leg trailing 3-2 after a pulsating encounter at Craven Cottage seven days earlier, and trailed for much of the return fixture at Stamford Bridge - until three goals in the final 13 minutes turned the tie in the favour of Viveash's team.
Viveash said: "It was an amazing night and I'm trying to get my head around it a little bit."
After a gripping first half, Chelsea went in to the break trailing 3-2 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate - and the odds looked stacked against them.
Chelsea staff celebrate with their players
But Viveash brought on Isak Ssewankambo, Isaiah Brown and Ola Aina at the break and the bold move changed the game.
Ssewankambo threatened throughout his time on the field and got the goal that proved to be the catalyst for Dominic Solanke's cup-winning brace in the closing stages - and Viveash admitted he was relieved the gamble paid off.
"I made the three substitutions at half time and it was a gamble, but the three boys who came on all made a contribution and they got that belief," he added.
"The last minute will live with us for the rest of our lives - it was a special, special moment and I'm so pleased that young players have got to experience that.
“The last minute will live with us for the rest of our lives - it was a special, special moment”
Adi Viveash Chelsea youth team manager
"We aren't talking about lucky goals here, we created numerous opportunities, their goalie made some great saves but we kept going and going.
"We have an excellent academy, run by the best academy manager in the country in Neil Bath.
"He's a driven man, he drives staff and he expects high standards and we then pass it on to the players.
"A lot of these players have been with us since they were eight years old and what a special night for them."
