The Blues, winners of the competition in three of the past four years, brought a 1-0 lead into the contest after a hard-fought victory at Ewood Park three weeks previously. The scoreline in SW6 had a much more comprehensive look to it as goals from Dujon Sterling, Jacob Maddox and Tammy Abraham placed Joe Edwards’s side firmly in control at the break.

Blackburn reduced the deficit in the second period through Lewis Mansell’s header but the hard work had already been done by the Blues and they claimed the victory that sets up a repeat of last season’s final against Manchester City. Once again, we will travel away for the first leg before hosting the Sky Blues at the Bridge in the second leg.

Edwards made two changes from the first leg victory in Lancashire, with Maddox and Mason Mount replacing Kyle Scott and Isaac Christie-Davies in the side. Under-16 Sterling joined the pair in supporting striker Abraham in attack.

The back five were unchanged as Nathan Baxter continued in goal protected by Josh Grant, Fikayo Tomori, Trevoh Chalobah and recent first team debutant Jake Clarke-Salter, who captained the team. Tomori scored the only goal of the game in the first leg. Ruben Sammut partnered Mukhtar Ali in central midfield.

Rovers also made two adjustments from their line-up in the first leg as Lewis Travis and Tre Pemberton came into the team. Despite carrying a one-goal advantage into the game, manager Edwards insisted his players would approach it like any other and they were true to their word as they enjoyed plenty of possession early on.

Without creating a real sight at goal, the holders dominated the first 10 minutes before their bright start was rewarded with the evening’s opener. It was a superb left-footed pass from Ali that cut apart the Rovers defence and teed up the supporting Sterling, advancing infield from the opposite flank. The schoolboy remained composed, taking a touch to steady himself before rifling his finish past the onrushing Andrew Fisher for his second Youth Cup goal of the campaign.