Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 6y

Chelsea beat Porto on penalties to reach UEFA Youth League final

Chelsea's under-19s are through to the final of the UEFA Youth League after a penalty shootout victory over Porto in Nyon, Switzerland.

Blues goalkeeper Jamie Cumming was the hero, saving three spot kicks to earn victory for Joe Edwards' men following a 2-2 draw.

Chelsea have now reached three UEFA Youth League finals in the last four years. After winning the competition in 2015 and 2016, they were denied a place in last season's tournament because of the senior team's failure to finish in the Premier League's top four under Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink.

A change in the rules means that Edwards' side can still qualify for next season's UEFA Youth League even if the first team finishes fifth in the Premier League, either by beating Barcelona in Monday's final at Stade Colovray, or by emerging triumphant against Manchester United in the Premier League under-18 national final.

Daishawn Redan broke the deadlock for Chelsea in the 29th minute when he followed up a Luke McCormick shot that was parried by Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, but Diogo Queiros headed in unmarked from a corner to bring Porto level before half-time.

Porto took the lead with little more than 10 minutes left, as Joao Mario capped of a fast counterattack to leave Chelsea on the brink of elimination, but Josh Grant levelled in the 86th minute when he fired in from Trevoh Chalobah's knockdown after a Juan Castillo corner.

In the shootout, Cumming saved from Diogo Leite and Rui Pires while Costa denied Charlie Brown and Reece James in the first 10 spot kicks, but in sudden death it was the Chelsea goalkeeper who made the difference, keeping out Diogo Bessa's effort after Castillo had found the net. The Blues triumphed 5-4.

Barcelona advanced to the final later on Friday by holding off Manchester City 5-4.

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