Liverpool Under 18s valiantly fought from a goal behind against Manchester City‘s U18s to win the FA Youth Cup final on penalties. Man City U18s 1-1 Liverpool U18s (5-3 pens) FA Youth Cup Final, City Academy Stadium April 25, 2019 Goals: Touazi 45+2′; Duncan 86′ After successfully navigating six rounds of action, Barry Lewtas’ side booked their place in the showpiece final alongside Manchester City. The young Reds made the trip to Manchester with the aim of securing Liverpool’s fourth FA Youth Cup—and the first since 2007. Just one change was made to the team that secured a 2-1 win over Watford in the semi-final, with keeper Vitezslav Jaros returning from injury in place of Luca Ashby-Hammond, an emergency loanee from Fulham. One change from semis as Jaros returns in goal after spell on the sidelines Cain sees strike cleared off the goalline in Reds’ best chance of the first half Touazi hands City the lead in first-half stoppage time Duncan equalises late on with long-range effort to force extra-time Young Reds shows nerves of steel to win FA Youth Cup on penalties Liverpool were forced to weather the storm early on as City’s pressure penned the young Reds in their own half, with Jaros forced to make a vital save from close range in the opening minute. Despite having been required to defend deep with the home side dominating possession, the young Reds soon gained a foothold and had several scoring opportunities of their own. Yasser Larouci saw his deflected strike tipped over the crossbar, while Jake Cain had his effort cleared off the goalline after pouncing on a misplaced pass in the penalty area. Larouci was a stand-out performer in a cagey first half, having stood up to the task as the home side funnelled a large majority of their attacks to the left side of Liverpool’s back line. The high press deployed by the Reds ensured City were continually asked questions, but breakdowns in possession in the middle of the park saw Liverpool’s forwards starved of the ball for much of the opening term. But just as the half-time break was within sight, City landed a body blow in stoppage time as Nabil Touaizi found the back of the net with a first-time finish from close range. After the interval, the young Reds were immediately on the front foot as they pushed forward for an equaliser. In a reversal of the opening half, it was Liverpool who were dictating play and forcing City to defend, with strikes from both Leighton Clarkson and Abdi Sharif in quick succession requiring the intervention of the goalkeeper. Cain was a key instigator in the Reds’ forward impetus which saw Paul Glatzel start to have an influence on proceedings after a quiet first 45, but an equaliser still remained elusive for Liverpool. But just as City’s stubborn defence looked as though they had come through unscathed, Bobby Duncan burst into life to haunt his former side as he saw his 30-yard effort spilled by the City keeper into the back of the net, just four minutes from time. Duncan’s 32nd goal of the season forced extra time, and it soon became a battle of attrition, as the effects of the relentless 90 minutes which came before ensured the 30 minutes ended with few clear-cut chances at either end. It meant the game was to be decided on penalties and the young Reds showed nerves of steel as Neco Williams, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Sharif, Bearne and Glatzel all buried their spot-kicks to hand Liverpool a memorable victory. The win sees Liverpool’s U18s secure a prestigious piece of silverware, but their season is far from over as they still maintain hope of finishing first in the U18 Premier League and securing an incredible double. TIA Man of the Match: Yasser Larouci Liverpool U18s: Jaros; N. Williams, R. Williams, Boyes, Larouci; Clarkson (Longstaff 78′), Sharif, Dixon-Bonner; Cain (Bearne 101′), Glatzel, Duncan. Subs not used: O’Rourke, Kelly, Savage. Next Match: Man City (H) – U18 Premier League – Tuesday, April 30, 11:00am (BST)<doc-sep>WHILST the senior sides battle it out for the Premier League title, Man City and Liverpool's youngsters are ready for an FA Youth Cup showdown. Chelsea have dominated this trophy for the last five years, but there will be a new name on the cup as the sides go head-to-head in Manchester. 1 Chelsea have dominated the cup for the past five seasons Credit: Getty Images - Getty What time is kick-off? THIS game is being played TONIGHT, April 25. Kick-off is at 7.45pm. City have home advantage, with the match being played at their Academy Stadium. For the first time in the competition's history, the final will be played over just one leg. How can I watch FA Youth Cup Final for free? YOU can catch all the action live on BT Sport 1 and 4K UHD from 7.45pm. If you're already a BT Sport customer, you can download the official app to stream on your mobile, tablet or PC. However, EE customers can also catch all the action live for FREE by texting SPORT to 150 or calling 07953 966502 to sign up for a free three-month BT Sport subscription. You will then be sent instructions where you will be able to watch via the BT Sport app. However, once your free trial is up, you may be charged the normal fee of £5 a month to watch via the app and £10 a month for casting. You can cancel at any time during your three-month subscription. What is the team news? Here's how our U18's line up for tonight's #FAYouthCup Final v @LFC 🔵⚪️ XI | Moulden, Diounkou, Garcia (C), Harwood-Bellis, Frimpong, McDonald, Knight, Doyle, Touaizi, Nmecha, Bernabe. Subs | Ogbeta, Bazunu, F Dele-Bashiru, Ogunby, Palmer. 🔵 #mancity — Man City Academy (@ManCityAcademy) April 25, 2019<doc-sep>The clash of the Under-18 squads of the two clubs battling for the Premier League title at senior level showcased plenty of future talent but City will be disappointed to have let their lead slip in the 86th minute. City took the lead on the stroke of halftime when Spanish striker Nabil Touaizi smartly converted a low cross from compatriot Adrian Bernabe. Champions League Guardiola says leaving players out of final is 'terrible' 7 MINUTES AGO Yet four minutes from fulltime, Liverpool striker Bobby Duncan's long range effort flew through the hands of City keeper Louie Moulden to force extra time. Both teams struggled physically in the additional half hour and Liverpool emerged triumphant in the shootout to secure their fourth FA Youth Cup and first since 2007. Bundesliga Quick, strong and ready for the Premier League – Expert view on Ibrahima Konate 33 MINUTES AGO<doc-sep>Once you have subscribed we will use the email you provided to send you the newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter email. Not only is the Premier League title race tantalisingly poised between the two sides, their under-18s also went toe-to-toe in the FA Youth Cup final on Thursday night. Liverpool won 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, the decisive spot-kick scored by captain Paul Glatzel. City went into the game looking to put some gloss on what has otherwise been a relatively disappointing campaign. Whereas Barry Lewtas' Reds look set for the title in the coming weeks, City can finish fifth at best. It would have been impossible to tell their respective fortunes on the night, however, as Gareth Taylor's young side played at times with the fluidity and panache we've come to expect from the senior team - and all under the watchful eye of Pep Guardiola, who was in attendance at the Academy Stadium. Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Lukas Nmecha were shining lights for City, but it was 18-year-old striker Nabil Touaizi who opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time. Incidentally, remember that name - Nabil Touaizi - as the teenager was named one of The Guardian's prestigious 'Next Generation' talents last year and is tipped for big things. However, just when it looked as though the cup's destination would be decided by a solitary goal, with five minutes of normal time still to play, there was to be a dramatic finish. Out of nowhere, Bobby Duncan - who just so happens to be the cousin of a certain Steven Gerrard - and a former City player to boot, wrapped his left foot around the ball and sent it hurtling into the top corner to send the game to extra-time. Goalkeeper Louie Moulden should have done much better and could only palm it behind him. The stopper had enjoyed a quiet night until that point, rarely being tested. There could not have been a more poetic narrative than Duncan proving the difference, the prodigious starlet who signed for City at the age of 10, but moved on feeling that better opportunities lay elsewhere. City had the better chances in extra-time but there was no breakthrough from a visibly fatigued set of youngsters. And so, to penalties, where Cole Palmer was the only player to fluff his lines, his spot-kick rebounding off the crossbar. It was to be Liverpool's night, and thanks in no small part to Duncan's heroics. News Now - Sport News<doc-sep>
Liverpool U18s clinched the club's first FA Youth Cup triumph for 12 years with a 5-3 penalty shootout win over Manchester City in Thursday's final. The teams were locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes of absorbing play at the Academy Stadium. Nabil Touaizi found the net in first-half stoppage-time and the strike seemed likely to separate the sides until Bobby Duncan’s long-range swerver went through the grasp of City goalkeeper Louie Moulden with 86 on the clock. And Barry Lewtas’ Reds secured the prestigious trophy via spot-kicks as the captain, Paul Glatzel, converted a fifth consecutive successful penalty. The hosts were assertive from the off and threatened an opener within 60 seconds but Vitezslav Jaros produced an alert save to deny Touaizi’s knock at goal after Adrian Bernabe’s inviting pull-back from the left. Liverpool began to settle, though, and Yasser Larouci’s boldness was almost rewarded with a breakthrough 10 minutes into the tie. The full-back adeptly dribbled past two opponents from the halfway line and, finding himself in a central position, let fly with a strike that deflected off Taylor Harwood-Bellis and forced a reaction tip over the crossbar by Moulden. Next, Jake Cain had the Reds’ best chance of the half. A misplaced pass out by Moulden allowed Cain to pounce at the edge of the area but the midfielder’s attempt to thread a low drive back into the net was cleared off the goalline. From there, City took charge of proceedings without truly threatening Jaros and the Liverpool net – at least until their pressure told shortly before the interval. Tommy Doyle latched onto the completion of a one-two with Felix Nmecha to sneak into the box but Leighton Clarkson’s attentions forced him wide and the eventual strike drifted off target. There was no such mercy from Touaizi in the first minute of added time, however; another Bernabe left-wing delivery eluded Rhys Williams and the City forward dispatched a cool finish between the near post and Jaros for 1-0. The home team seemed likely to continue their control in the early stages of the second half but Liverpool’s attitude turned the tide as the clock reached an hour. Abdi Sharif twice drew saves from Moulden with long-range hits and only a perfectly-timed lunge by Harwood-Bellis thwarted Glatzel when the Reds captain aimed his sights at close range. Jaros carefully palmed away Ben Knight’s swerving, 20-yard left-footer heading into the final quarter-hour, before Clarkson was forced off due to injury and Luis Longstaff replaced him. The impressive Larouci curled another decent effort wide of the left post as Liverpool continued to press for a leveller, while Morgan Boyes and then Rhys Williams had to block successive dangerous hits by Knight. And the visitors’ resolve paid dividends four minutes before full-time. Duncan capitalised on a pocket of space centrally to turn and dispatch a blast that moved in the air en route to goal and deceived Moulden, who could not prevent it from reaching the net. A cagey additional 30 minutes of extra-time followed, Duncan having an angled effort blocked in the box by Harwood-Bellis and City’s penalty claims for a handball against Neco Williams rejected by the referee. So, it went to a shootout in which Liverpool were perfect: Neco Williams, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Sharif, Jack Bearne and Glatzel all scored to seal an historic 5-3 victory and FA Youth Cup glory. Liverpool U18s: Jaros, N. Williams, Larouci, R. Williams, Boyes, Clarkson (Longstaff, 78), Sharif, Cain (Bearne, 101), Glatzel, Duncan, Dixon-Bonner. Unused substitutes: O’Rourke, Kelly, Savage.