We enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges as Uwakwe fired a left-footed strike into the Chelsea fans behind the goal before Mason Mount struck the woodwork inside 10 minutes, the skipper’s curling free-kick striking the upright of Brandon Austin’s goal and the rebound evading the lurking Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Uwakwe’s left foot was a regular cause of concern for Tottenham’s backline and an inswinging corner found Ugbo at the near post, though the striker’s flick was blocked by a covering defender. Yet the Blues continued to fashion the more clear-cut of the opportunities and schoolboy Hudson-Odoi went close after 20 minutes, twisting and turning before firing a shot that deflected inches past the far post.

Uwakwe’s bending, dipping strike dropped narrowly wide and Ugbo drove a rising effort just over before Spurs launched a rare forward foray, capitalising on a loose pass out from Josh Grant and advancing down the right flank before the covering Trevoh Chalobah promptly ended the attack.

The Blues were building up a head of steam as the half-hour mark passed and slowly turning the screw on their hosts. Dujon Sterling rose highest to meet Mount’s deep delivery but failed to sufficiently test Austin before the holders drew first blood in the semi-final. Uwakwe whipped in an inswinging corner and James escaped the attentions of his marker with a darting run to the front post and headed into the far corner (pictured below).