Manchester City will face either Manchester United or Crystal Palace in the 2025-26 FA Youth Cup Final after a 4-1 home win against Blackburn Rovers.

There were only 11 minutes on the clock when Valentin Joseph edged himself further ahead as the competition’s top scorer and gave the visitors a slender lead, but having had chances missed, City burst into life just before the break.

Four minutes apart, the Blues saw themselves level and in with a chance to make it 2-1 from the spot, which Harry Holt saved to give his side a huge high heading into the break.

But it didn’t last long, as Teddie Lamb, Reigan Heskey and Oliver Tevenan were all on the scoresheet before the 70th minute to give the home side one foot in the final.

Oliver Reiss’ young boys in blue already had two over their visitors heading into tonight’s game, having beaten Rovers heavily in both of their two encounters in the Premier League North this season.

Valentin Joseph was on target for Blackburn Rovers

And it took no time before Paul Butler’s team had their backs against the wall, as Lamb headed on goal from McAidoo’s cross.

Blackburn regained some semblance of control, however, and took an early lead in Manchester when Joseph beat the City defence for pace and made it 1-0 to become the club’s record FA Youth Cup goalscorer.

Harrison Miles looked for a timely response, but the Blues midfielder missed twice in a matter of minutes.

Tyrone Samba also looked determined to pull a goal back, but for all his hard work, the Rovers’ defence held out equally.

City had the better of the chances, but it was Rovers who were largely running the play at their own pace.

That was until Joseph then went in search of his second in Manchester, connecting with a bouncing ball forward but his attempt amounted to nothing.

City were back to their breathless best at the end of the opening 45 minutes and levelled things up when McAidoo tucked the ball away into the bottom corner.

It could have gone from bad to worse quickly for Rovers, had Holt not guessed right and held Floyd Samba’s penalty four minutes into first half stoppage time.

Reiss’ team had no reason to rest on their laurels coming out from the break and were in control of every inch of the play.

Only seven minutes had been played when Lamb put the Blues ahead at the Joie Stadium with a controlled strike into the bottom corner.

It finished 4-1 to the hosts

And 12 minutes later, Manchester City were awarded their second penalty of the evening. Heskey made no mistake this time around and put the Blues 3-1 ahead and in firm control of the semi-final tie.

City had ironed out any mistakes that were made in the first half, and tested Holt twice more before Tevenan made it four for the hosts on the volley.

But the game had been over as a contest long before with the visitors playing for little else but pride, despite a strong showing in the opening 45 minutes.

The Blues will learn their next opponents on Friday1 7 April, when Manchester United and Crystal Palace go head-to-head live on TNT Sports in the other semi-final seeding.

Manchester City: Max Hudson, Dante Headley, Leke Drake, Kaden Braithwaite ©, Oliver Tevenan, Harrison Miles, Ryan McAidoo, Floyd Samba, Teddie Lamb, Tyrone Samba, Reigan Heskey

Substitutions: Finlay Gorman for Samba 68’, Christian Dunbar-McDonald for McAidoo 74’, Xavier Parker for Lamb 74’, Karim Cassim for Samba 81’, Charlie Courtman for Headley 89’

Substitutions not used: Ben Vickery, Jake Wain

Head coach: Oliver Reiss

Blackburn Rovers: Harry Holt, Finlay Wilkinson, Harvey Pates, Michael Decandia, Leon Kelley-Quinn, Isaac Dunn, Archie McCoy, Levi Ball ©, Valentin Joseph, Frank Vare, Igor Tyjon

Substitutions: Jayden Sergeant for Vare 73’, Theo Pitt for Wilkinson 82’, Harry Lister for Dunn 82’, Harvey Higgins for McCoy 82’

Substitutions not used: Karol Krajewski, Alfie McIlroy, Tyler Mansbridge.

Head coach: Paul Butler