Manchester City vs. Chelsea: Score, Report, Reaction from FA Youth Cup Final

Chelsea's Under-18s are within sight of a second straight FA Youth Cup triumph following a 3-1 victory over Manchester City on Monday in the first leg of the final at City's Academy Stadium.

The visitors took the lead through Tammy Abraham in the opening stages but were pegged back just moments later by City's Isaac Buckley-Ricketts. Abraham netted a second time midway through the first half to restore Chelsea's lead, and after City missed multiple chances to equalise after the interval, Dominic Solanke added the third just before full-time.

The second leg is scheduled for next Monday, April 27, at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge.

For both clubs, reaching the final suggests that further success lies ahead in the future. Chelsea, who currently lead the Premier League by 10 points, have reached the final five times in the last six years, winning the trophy in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

City, who won the Premier League last season, last claimed the cup in 2008 after defeating Chelsea in the final.

And while both Chelsea and City are well known for their exorbitant spending on new players at the senior level, both sides showed they have plenty of quality in the youth ranks as well. Such success suggests both should remain around the pinnacle of English football for years to come.

The match got off to a blistering start, with both teams creating multiple chances. Chelsea went ahead in the seventh minute through Abraham's first strike of the night.

The visitors moved the ball quickly from left to right, with Abraham controlling with his chest before firing a half-volley into the top corner for a superb opener. 

But the lead didn't last long as City came up with a quick response. In the ninth minute, Brandon Barker made a fine run through the middle and sliced open the defence with a pass to Buckley-Ricketts. Having timed his run perfectly, Buckley-Ricketts shot back across Bradley Collins for the equaliser.

It was end-to-end action, and in the 20th minute, Chelsea retook the lead as Abraham struck again. After City failed to fully clear a corner, Jake Clarke-Salter knocked the ball into the six-yard box. Unmarked, Abraham finished with an acrobatic volley to restore the visitors' lead.

Chelsea remained on top throughout the rest of the first half, showing both more strength and confidence compared to City, who were second best for most of the opening 45 minutes.

As the second half started, City began to hold more possession but struggled for consistency in the attacking third. The hosts did have a sight of goal in the 56th minute as Bersant Celina curled a shot on target, which Collins saved.

Seven minutes later, Chelsea's Isaiah Brown hit a low drive at Kjetil Haug, who saved.

Kasey Palmer replaced Abraham for Chelsea in the 67th minute and made an impact just four minutes later, shooting high and wide from the edge of the box.

At the other end in the 74th minute, Barker passed to Manu Garcia along the edge of the box before Garcia shot just wide of the post.

City were enjoying their best spell of the match and had a great opportunity to equalise three minutes later as Kean Bryan won possession just outside the box and rifled an early shot off target.

The hosts appealed for a penalty in the 82nd minute, when Pablo Maffeo went to ground in the box following contact with Jay Dasilva. But the referee waved play on and City were left frustrated.

Collins kick-saved a Celina shot in the 86th minute as City kept pushing for the equaliser. Instead, Chelsea added a third goal two minutes later to seal the first-leg victory.

A poor clearance by Haug gave Chelsea the chance to attack at pace. Charly Musonda picked out the run of Solanke, who rifled in past Haug from 15 yards to finish off the night and give his side a solid advantage heading into the second leg.

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