Ake shines as Chelsea see off Liverpool to reach FA Youth Cup final

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Chelsea booked their place in the FA Youth Cup final, beating Liverpool 2-1 at Stamford Bridge and 4-1 on aggregate.

They made a sluggish start to the semi-final second leg but goals from John Swift and the outstanding Nathan Ake meant they eased to victory.

Two down following Alex Kiwomya’s late goals at Anfield in last week’s first leg, Liverpool were hauled back into the tie by Kris Peterson’s early goal.

Peterson drifted in from the left and breezed past Ola Aina and Alex Davey before firing home.

But Chelsea, who will face Norwich in a two-legged final, hit back four minutes before half-time, with Swift starting and brilliantly finishing the move that led to the equaliser.

Swift sent Kiwomya away down the right and then met the resulting cross with a lovely side-footed finish from near the penalty spot.

Once Ake headed in Jeremie Boga’s right-wing corner at the near post seconds before the break, there was no way back for Liverpool.

To their credit, the visitors kept battling in the second half and went close to scoring when Jerome Sinclair’s effort struck the bar.

Blues skipper Lewis Baker also hit the bar with a late free-kick.

The first leg of the final is at Carrow Road on 29 April.

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