West Brom eye FA Youth Cup shock as youngsters prepare for Man City test

Leigh Downing's under 18s have beaten Harrogate and Stoke City - before a thrilling 4-2 victory at Carrow Road over Norwich City saw them book their place in the last eight of the competition.

They now welcome big guns Manchester City to The Hawthorns on Thursday night - as they eye an upset against one of the competition's favourites.

The City youngsters, who are managed by German coach Oliver Reib, have lost just one all season in the league and dismantled Leeds United 6-1 in the last round of the cup.

City's pedigree and quality is no secret to Downing and his players, who are looking to emulate the side of 2018/19, that went on to reach the last four before losing to City.

Downing said: “Credit has to go to the boys for the performances they’ve shown in each of the rounds.

“The last time we got to this stage was five years ago, so it doesn’t happen too often.

“They’ve really stepped up, played well on every occasion, and played in some great stadiums along the way. Now, to finally get to play at our home stadium where a lot of the boys’ friends and families will be in attendance - we’ll be looking to put in another good performance on the night. 

“Man City are probably the best team, form-wise, in the U18s. I think they are 16 or 17 game unbeaten, and for our lads to put an end to that run would be a fantastic achievement. 

“We’re going to have to be at our best, but I think the experiences the boys have had on these nights will stand them in good stead. 

“We’ve had lots of young players play in the tournament this year and it’s about continuing to get those boys similar opportunities so they can show up on these big nights. 

“For the boys to get to such a late stage in the competition and, at times, we do put a slightly different team than usual out in these Youth Cup games, shows their togetherness and they’ve shown a bit of everything in the competition. 

“We’ve come from a goal down, taken the lead, kept clean sheets, so we’ve had all of those varied experiences along the way.

“Now, I’m looking for them to show those sides of their game in this big match on Thursday.”

Albion's greatest moment in the FA Youth Cup came in 1975/76, when they battered rivals Wolves 5-0 to take the trophy.

However, their most recent success did come in 2019, where the edged past Everton in a 4-3 thriller in the quarter-finals to set up a tie with Man City.

Jamie Soule and Rayhaan Tulloch were on the scoresheet for the Baggies in a 4-2 defeat, on a night when Morgan Rogers was among the Albion line-up.

Shortly after the cup tie, the young star joined City in a multi million pound deal, before going on to Middlesbrough and then Man City.

The Albion side that night also boasted Louie Barry, Middlesbrough's Finn Azaz and current Albion number two Josh Griffiths.