How sons of former Premier League players defined FA Youth Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United as Reigan Heskey scores winner

Manchester City beat rivals Manchester United 2-1 to lift the FA Youth Cup at the Joie Stadium, on a night lit up by some very famous names from the Premier League.

City had Reigan Heskey in their starting line up, along with Floyd and Tyrone Samba, all surnames that might be familiar to longtime football fans. 

Anyone of a certain age will remember Emile Heskey’s Liverpool heydays in the early noughties, or Chris Samba’s Blackburn Rovers days from the same decade. 

And while there were plenty of other promising youth players on display, it was those following in the footsteps of their dads who made the difference on a chilly night at the Joie Stadium. 

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Floyd Samba opened the scoring for City from 25 yards out, his free-kick curling into the top left corner as Manchester United’s Cameron Bryne-Hughes threw himself across the goal to no avail.

”It was a brilliant free-kick, the keeper had no chance,” Robbie Savage said afterwards. 

But Godwill Kukonki equalised for Manchester United moments later, and the score stayed at 1-1 for much of the second half.

'Take a bow!' - Samba scores stunning free-kick to give Man City lead

Video credit: TNT Sports

Extra time was beckoning, but Heskey grabbed a late winner with a brilliant cut back and strike to ensure Manchester City were holding the trophy at the end of the derby match. 

”It makes me very proud,” explained Manchester City manager Oliver Reiss after the match. 

Teddie Lamb for City and JJ Gabriel for United were supposed to be the ones to watch, with plenty of famous faces in attendance - Citizens boss Pep Guardiola was there, along with Old Trafford counterpart Michael Carrick. 

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Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw also watched the action, as did City players Phil Foden, Antoine Semenyo and Nathan Ake. 

What they saw was the return of some names who could well grace the Premier League again in the coming years, with Heskey especially showing the same prowess in front of the goal that characterised his father’s career. 

”Unbelievable,” added Reiss. 

Full-time scenes as Man City celebrate FA Youth Cup glory

Video credit: TNT Sports

”Not just winning the final, but the way we won it - with the late goal. There were two top teams on the pitch, we increased our energy a lot in the second half, but in the end it was tough, it was very tight.

”Really nice goals. The second one was not just the way we scored it, but how we created it.

”When you [hit it] really good, you cannot save it.”

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