FA Youth Cup Final second leg preview: Chelsea v Manchester City

Tuesday 25 Apr 2017

After scoring the equaliser in The FA Youth Cup Final first leg, Phil Foden could be the key to Manchester City’s chances in the second, according to manager Lee Carsley.

The 16-year-old grabbed the all-important leveller after Ike Ugbo had given Chelsea the lead.

Foden had to leave the field with cramp before full-time and Carsley admits his fitness is key to their hopes.

“Phil’s got the knack of getting important goals and the way he takes the ball and finishes is very impressive,” said the former Ireland midfielder.

“He’s very talented. He’s a very good player for us and he was disappointed to come off but he cramped up and I thought it was best to change it.

“We’re looking forward to getting him back to full strength for the second leg because if we’re going to do well in this competition it’s going to be down to him.”

City have made something of a habit of coming from behind in games this season, including the 3-1 FA Youth Cup quarter-final victory over Aston Villa.

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And, while Chelsea will take confidence from being at home in the second leg, Carsley believes it is still all to play for.

“It’s a good trait to have,” Carsley added.

“We’ve come back numerous times this season from a goal down and we did it in such an important game, so it shows that the team has got a lot of character.

“The teams were really closely matched [in the first leg] with a lot of talented players on display.

“I thought that they shaded it in the first half and handled the occasion better than us.

“But we warmed to it and in the end it was a fair result.

“We grew as the game went on and I’m really looking forward to the second leg because we can play a lot better.”

By FA Staff

Carsley: Foden holds the key