Manchester City booked a Youth Cup final date with Liverpool with a 4-2 win over West Bromich Albion.
In front of the watching Pep Guardiola , goals from Ben Knight (2), Tommy Doyle on his Man City ambitions after returning from injury and Steven Gerrard help and Felix Nmecha ensured the young Blues make their fourth final in five years but they were made to work hard for the win.
A bright start saw Gareth Taylor's side ahead inside the first ten minutes as good work down the left-hand side from Jeremie Frimpong and Adria Bernabe saw Ben Knight beat his marker in the box to turn home.
City dominated the ball but struggled to create meaningful opportunities and West Brom - having already shown they could threaten on the counter - equalise after 33 minutes when Jamie Soule curled a shot beyond Louie Moulden and in off the post.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis was forced to clear an effort off the line as the Baggies took advantage of more slack play, but the hosts returned to the pitch after the break with renewed focus and Doyle powered them back in front from 30 yards when the West Brom keeper slipped.
This time, there would be no let-up for the visitors.
Felix Nmecha was unfortunate to see his shot on the run crash back off the crossbar but Knight made no mistake when he found space to turn in from a corner with 15 minutes remaining. While Rayhaan Tulloch got West Brom back in the game after Doyle was caught dawdling on the ball, substitute Henri Ogunby went straight down the other end of the pitch and crossed for Nmecha to make it 4-2.
City will be looking to win the competition for the first time since 2008 when they take on Liverpool in the final before the end of the season.
CITY: Moulden, Diounkou, Frimpong, Harwood-Bellis, Garcia (c), McDonald (Dele-Bashiru), Doyle, Nmecha, Bernabe (Ogbeta 88), Knight (Ogunby 84), Touaizi SUBS: Ogbeta, Bazunu, Richards
Tommy Doyle on his Man City ambitions after returning from injury and Steven Gerrard help
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