Manchester City came from behind to draw first blood in their FA Youth Cup semi-final first leg with seven-time winners Arsenal.
The visitors raced into the lead on four minutes through Jeff Reine-Adelaide, signed from French side Lens last summer.
But by half-time City hit back through Lukas Nmecha and Isaac Ricketts-Buckley to turn the tie on its head.
Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal
FA Youth Cup
Semi-Final, first leg
Friday 18 March
Academy Stadium, Manchester
by Josh Richards
City goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw saw the Gunners lay siege to his goal in the second half, but last season’s runners-up held firm to ensure they will take an advantage to north London for the second leg next month.
A hopeful Academy Stadium was stunned into silence on four minutes when Reine-Adelaide made the breakthrough.
The midfielder, who has made two first-team appearances in the Emirates FA Cup for the Gunners this season, fired through the legs of Grimshaw.
Arsenal were soon on the prowl again, but this time Grimshaw was able to deny Stephy Mavididi before Kaylen Hinds saw an effort bounce back off the post.
But City drew level on 25 minutes with their first real chance of the game. Rodney Kongolo’s pass split the Arsenal defence and Nmecha rifled the equaliser into the top corner.
Nmecha headed just wide moments later and Jacob Davenport saw his free-kick pushed away by Gunners stopper Hugo Keto.
But Arsenal were on the ropes and City nipped in front six minutes before the interval when Ricketts-Buckley chipped the on-rushing Keto.
Desperately seeking a way back into the tie Ismael Bennacer fizzed a free-kick into the box soon after the break, but his cross evaded a red shirt.
On the hour-mark Mavididi dragged an effort wide of the upright with Grimshaw seemingly beaten.
The Gunners remained in the ascendancy as the clock ticked down, but Ben Sheaf saw his effort rift over the crossbar.
Grimshaw’s goal was living a charmed life with Krystian Bielik next to try his luck from 25 yards, but again his strike was too high.
With six minutes left on the clock an Ismael Bennacer free-kick bounced off the wall and into the path of Sheaf, but Grimshaw was quickly off his line to deny the 18-year-old.
Manchester City: Daniel Grimshaw, Charlie Oliver, Cameron Humphreys, Tosin Adarabioyo, Demeaco Duhaney, Jacob Davenport, Rodney Kongolo, Brahim Diaz (Tom Dele-Bashiru 85), Isaac Buckley, Lukas Nmecha, Aaron Nemane.
Subs not used: Kjetil Haug, Marcus Wood, Paolo Fernandes, Jadon Sancho.
Arsenal: Hugo Keto, Chiori Johnson (Reiss Nelson 77), Marc Bola, Krystian Bielik, Tyrell Robinson, Ben Sheaf, Ismael Bennacer, Joseph Willock (Kristopher Da Graca 77), Kaylen Hinds, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Stephy Mavididi.
Subs not used: Joao Virginia, Donyell Malen, Marcus McGuane.
