Chelsea are not through to the final of the FA Youth Cup yet, but Birmingham will not be approaching the second-leg of their semi-final with any real hope after a 3-0 loss at home.

Strikes from Tariq Uwakwe and Callum Hudson-Odoi put the current holders of the FA Youth Cup into the lead during the first half of the game at St. Andrews.

And then substitute Charlie Brown struck his 19th goal of the campaign to all but kill the fixture.

Tariq Uwakwe put Chelsea into the lead after prodding the ball home from a cross

And the advantage was doubled by Callum Hudson-Odoi, who slotted home in the first-half

Chelsea have become the country's dominant team in this competition, despite the difficult pathway to the first-team for their youth products. They have won the last four editions.

No matter how a team performs in the build-up to meeting Chelsea, they generally find themselves being stopped by the Blues stumbling block.

Which is why it was no real surprise to see Uwakwe put Jody Morris' side ahead in the 14th minute. He managed to meet the ball with an outstretched foot and prod it home after a cross from the left.

They nearly made it 2-0 shortly after. Tariq Lamptey played an excellent cross into the box. Daishawn Redan was only able to head it wide.

Birmingham City player Tom Anderson is tackled by Chelsea's Tariq Lamptey on Wednesday

Both sides observed a minute's silence in tribute to Ray Wilkins prior to Wednesday's game

But it did not take long for Hudson-Odoi, the top Chelsea goalscorer in the competition this campaign, to double their lead.

The 17-year-old took advantage after a loose pass from the home goalkeeper. The ball was worked out to him on the left flank and he then managed to finish tidily into the back of the net.

The win was rounded off by Brown, who combined well with his fellow substitute Faustino Anjorin before bagging Chelsea's third of the night.

Uwakwe runs away to celebrate his opening goal as Chelsea made an ideal start to the game