Chelsea retain FA Youth Cup with commanding victory over Manchester City

Chelsea's U18 side have sent a message of intent to first-team manager Jose Mourinho by winning the FA Youth Cup for the fourth time in just six seasons after a 5-2 aggregate victory over Manchester City.

Already leading 3-1 from the first leg courtesy of goals from the prolific Tammy Abraham and Dominic Solanke, Joe Edwards' side fell behind early in the second leg at Stamford Bridge as visiting striker Kelechi Iheanacho converted a cross from Aaron Nemane.

They were soon back on level terms courtesy of a header from captain Isaiah Brown, however, and looked to have put the result beyond doubt immediately after the break with Solanke feeding Abraham who finished coolly beyond Kjetil Haug.

City looked to have reduced the arrears with 15 minutes remaining, yet Isaac Buckley's goal was disallowed after he was adjudged to have committed a foul during the build-up.

This was the second successive year that Chelsea have achieved success in this competition following last year's eventful 7-6 triumph over rivals Fulham. Edwards was understandably delighted with his squad's efforts and believes their winning mentality will serve them well as they seek to establish a pathway through to the senior squad.

"I'm delighted and extremely proud of the boys. It was another high-level game but a mature performance from us," he told the club's official Twitter account.

"The players take their lead from the first team. They know if you want to be a Chelsea player, you have to be a winner."

Quite whether any of this undeniably talented crop of youngsters will go on to establish themselves under Mourinho remains to be seen.

Chelsea have been criticised over recent years for an apparent reluctance to offer regular opportunities to their own youth players, yet that could well change in the future with their U19 side having also won the Uefa Youth League title on 13 April and the likes of Patrick Bamford, Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Ake all proving their worth during loan spells in the Championship this season.