Justin Oboavwduo, Jayden Heskey, Stephen Mfuni and Matty Warhurst strike in second half as Blues win FA Youth Cup

• Man City was managed by Ben Wilkinson, son of iconic former Leeds boss Howard
• City secured their first Youth Cup title since a Cole Palmer-led side won it in 2020
• West Ham’s David Moyes is a football success story – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off! podcasts

Manchester City ended Leeds United’s fairytale run as they turned on the style to win the FA Youth Cup.

Second-half goals from Justin Oboavwduo, Jayden Heskey, Stephen Mfuni and Matty Warhurst helped City secure their first Youth Cup title since Cole Palmer’s side won it in 2020. It’s their fourth in history the club.

Leeds’ golden generation of youngsters arrived at the Etihad Stadium chasing history, looking to emulate the 1997 side who last won the competition.

Jonathan Woodgate and Harry Kewell were among those ranks and Rob Etherington’s side dared to dream after an excellent run to the final saw off Norwich City, Brighton, Sheffield United, Liverpool and Millwall.

City, managed by Ben Wilkinson, son of iconic former Leeds boss Howard, started the better and thought they had made the breakthrough midway through the first half when right-winger Farid Alfa-Ruprecht fired into the net, only to be flagged for offside. following Matty Henderson-Hall’s pass.

Leeds responded well by stringing together their best move of the first 45 minutes as Josh McDonald burst down the left, flicking a ball across the box, only to somehow evade everyone.

Heskey, son of former England international Emile, cut a frustrated figure in the first half as he missed two chances to open the scoring.

The first saw him misdirect a header from Alfa-Ruprecht’s cross, while the second saw Heskey volley over the bar after a breakdown in the Leeds defense from a corner.

But there would be redemption for Heskey and City as they scored twice before the hour mark to take firm control of this final.

Oboavwduo put City on their way when he crossed from close range at the second time of asking, first seeing his initial shot saved by goalkeeper Rory Mahady.

Alfa-Ruprecht, who was the pick of the bunch for City on the night, was the architect of the second.

He slipped the sight of Leeds captain Daniel Toulson and burst in at left-back before laying off for Heskey to slot in, putting the frustrations of the first half behind him.

Stephen Mfuni added a third when he had the unenviable task of nodding on the line after Kian Noble’s header back across goal from a free-kick caught Mahady flat-footed.

Matty Warhurst, sent on as a match-winning substitute, got an own goal with a clever breakaway move, reaching 40 yards before slotting low into the bottom corner.

City, in their sixth final in the last 10 seasons, sent another timely reminder of the standard rivals they have to face from their first team to the youth team in what ended as a consummate run from Wilkinson.