Thank you for joining me this evening!
We leave the Joie Stadium with our fifth FA Youth Cup trophy!
All eyes will now move to the National League final against Chelsea on Friday 22 May at Stamford Bridge with kick off at 19:00 (UK).
We look forward to enjoying your company once again!
It began back in December with a 3-1 comeback win on home soil over Fulham, with goals from Christian Dunbar-McDonald, Ryan McAidoo and Teddie Lamb sending City through to the fourth round.
Reiss’ side put on a five-star performance in our 5-2 triumph over Arsenal, with Kaden Braithwaite, Tyrone Samba, Dunbar-McDonald and Xavier Parker all on target.
Our first trip in the competition saw us travel to Chelsea. A clinical second half included goals for Floyd Samba, Dante Headley, Parker and McAidoo as we saw of the now Under-18 Premier League South title winners with a 4-1 win.
In the quarter-finals, we welcomed fellow North outfit Everton to the Joie Stadium. It was another impressive second half with F. Samba, Reigan Heskey and Lamb finding the back of the Toffee’s net in a 3-0 victory.
Fighting for a place in the final, an emphatic 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers – which saw McAidoo, Lamb, R. Heskey and Oliver Tevenan all get their names on the scoresheet – set up our all-Manchester final.
“I want to congratulate Oliver Reiss, his staff, the players and everyone working in our Academy on winning the FA Youth Cup,” began Guardiola.
“Success in this competition is another example of how good this Club is at creating a winning mentality and producing top young players.
“Every season I am so impressed by the talent that we produce here at the CFA - I see it when the young players train with us.
“I hope everyone in the Academy enjoys this achievement because it is a reward for all the hard work and commitment not just from this season, but years of hard work.”
“Winning the FA Youth Cup is always a key target for us at the start of each season, so to see the team lift the trophy is a momentous occasion and an achievement everyone in the Academy should be immensely proud of.
“Our results throughout the competition have shown how much the FA Youth Cup means to Oliver, his staff and the players. They have been superb.
“They have shown the importance of performing when it counts, in a final, in front of 7,000 people. We are incredibly proud of the players and staff for facing the challenge head on and we believe it will prove to be an important experience in our player’s journey to become a professional footballer one day.
“It is an unbelievable achievement to be in the final three times in a row. It shows a consistent high level of dedication, passion and a success that has been built over years of tireless hard work.
“It has been a pleasure to watch the team grow and play football that mirrors our ethos here at Manchester City – we aim to play the same style of football across every age group at this football club.
“But this moment would also not be possible without the hard work of everyone connected to the Club. So many people have worked closely with the squad throughout their progression up the age groups, providing the best environment possible for our players to develop not just into fantastic football players, but amazing people also.
“I am so proud to not only lead the Academy, but to work with so many talented people at City.”
Goals from Floyd Samba and Reigan Heskey see us crowned champions for the fifth time in our history!
United are throwing everything at us in these final few moments, but we're standing tall!
CommentaryReporting by Alice Wright @mancity