City u18s v arsenal FA Youth Cup Semi final

[Beefymcfc]

This is ace, like the Beebs Live Score, but better ;-)

[Wonderwall]

HT 2-1 we have mullered them in the last 10 minutes. lovely football to watch. Pace on the wings with Buckley and nemane , which s causing them all kind of problems. Arsenal's best player Adelaide, has been marked out of the game now. He is a lovely player but the full backs have got stuck into him and he looks disinterested now. His defensive work is poor also, he has bags of talent but his head dropped pretty quick.

This is the 1st time I have seen davenport play for us. Number 6, holding midfielder and the smallest on the pitch. My word what a good player, reminds me a bit of Jack Byrne with his style. He has not missed a pass today and is very composed, a good tackler and much stronger than he looks.

Brahim is a David silva Mark 2. What a lovely player to watch.

[Bluedj]

Using the Love word a lot there Wonders ;-)

[Wonderwall]

Quiet start but burst into life on 55 mins with City almost scoring but it was cleared off the line and then a cross fired in and just missed nmecha.

Arsenal are huffing and puffing but not threatining

[Wonderwall]

68 mins and nemanemissed a 1 on 1. Great break and ball by nmecha

[john@staustell]

Come on boys

[Wonderwall]

1st chance of the half for arse and davenport caught in possession which led to an arsenal.break but the shot goes over the bar

[Wonderwall]

Full time 2-1

[iwasthere2012]

Thanks for the updates WW.

[ruralblue]

Read the name Brahim a few times now and the comparisons. Hope Pep can bring this lad through!

[ruralblue]

And thanks for the updates WW. :-)

[Wonderwall]

Ref was awful in the 2nd half . He gave arse everything apart from 1 yellow for diving and it was a proper superman dive that deserved it. We also got a yellow for diving, sub dele-Bashiru weaved through and was upended. I would like to see that one again but I doubt the highlights will show it.

[Beefymcfc]

Ref was awful in the 2nd half . He gave arse everything apart from 1 yellow for diving and it was a proper superman dive that deserved it. We also got a yellow for diving, sub dele-Bashiru weaved through and was upended. I would like to see that one again but I doubt the highlights will show it.

Such a shame to see that mate, you'd think it was all even at that level

[Blue Since 76]

Just home. Good game. Think we tired for last 20 or so which let Arse back into it, but we should have scored 3 or 4. Hopefully won't cost us in second.leg.

They only put the team on the scoreboard in the 78th minute for about 10 seconds, so I was a bit lost about who was who. That said, impressed by Davenport in a Gareth Barry sort of way, doing simple stuff and letting others get on with their game.

Brahim looks quality. I expected him to be in a Silva/number 10 type role, but he was often deeper. Excellent touch, glides around the pitch with loads of time playing simple passes which split the opposition open. But most of all, I was impressed by his work rate, tracking back, tackling etc. If he keeps that up, I can see him being part of Pep's side whilst he's still young.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Just home. Good game. Think we tired for last 20 or so which let Arse back into it, but we should have scored 3 or 4. Hopefully won't cost us in second.leg.

They only put the team on the scoreboard in the 78th minute for about 10 seconds, so I was a bit lost about who was who. That said, impressed by Davenport in a Gareth Barry sort of way, doing simple stuff and letting others get on with their game.

Brahim looks quality. I expected him to be in a Silva/number 10 type role, but he was often deeper. Excellent touch, glides around the pitch with loads of time playing simple passes which split the opposition open. But most of all, I was impressed by his work rate, tracking back, tackling etc. If he keeps that up, I can see him being part of Pep's side whilst he's still young.

We definitely lost the initiative in the last 20 or even 30 minutes and did well to hold on to the lead in the end.It wasn't helped by the ref sseemingly putting on an Arsenal shirt for a while with some shocking decisions but we definitely lost the midfield and were panicking a little.

Pity we started a little shakily and gave them the first goal with a stray Tosin pass. That number 7 of theirs Adelaide or something is a very good player on the ball as WW said but didn't quite have the effect on the game he might have. Big lad and very clever but I thought Duhaney overall dealt with him well.

I don't think there was one City player who didn't give his all and have a good game. Some mistakes in there for sure but Arsenal are a talented team so to come back from one down to win and deal with the 2nd half pressure was a credit to them. Tosin was good with the odd dodgy pass in there, Cameron Humphreys made some very timely interceptions but on occasion was a little sleepy.

Davenport does look a good player in front of the back.Tackling strongly, making a lot of good simple passes but has an eye for a longer one as well. Brahim wasn't as effective as he he can be but still buzzed around threateningly and never gave anything up but bearring in mind he has played 2 under 17 international games in the last week it surprised a few that he even started today.

Buckley and Nemane on the wings were real threats with their direct play and both seemed to have the run on their full backs plus bith did a good stint getting back and helping their full backs. Nmecha took his goal superbly and is looking really good in his overall play as well as being a regular goalscorer.

So not a lot to criticise really but the second leg will be a very difficult game. We will have to defend very very well but the key for me will be about using our pace and skill to score maybe a couple of goals. We can do it.

[Blue Since 76]

Last 20 or so we stopped with the diagonal balls to the wingers which allowed Arsenal to push up. I wasn't sure of all the comparative ages, but we either tired or turned into the first team.

Looking forward to the second leg being on TV and hopefully beating Chelsea in the final

[Wonderwall]

Highlights now on the OS or this link http://bcove.me/brcgc10z