Manchester City's captain Vincent Kompany, manager Manuel Pellegrini and head of youth development Patrick Vieira were in attendance to watch the club's Under 18s side fall to a 3-1 defeat by Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup final final first-leg. Big-spending City, who have invested millions into ready-made first-team stars over the last few transfer windows, are often criticised for the lack of young players to come through their academy ranks. So, it was reassuring to see Kompany and Pellegrini at the game on Monday night, even if was to witness a loss. Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (right) watches the club's Under 18s side take on Chelsea . Sadly, Kompany witnesses a 3-1 defeat as Chelsea take a strong lead in the FA Youth Cup final first-leg . City manager Manuel Pellegrini (third from right) also attends the Academy Stadium on Monday night . Pellegrini watches on as City's youngsters fall to a 3-1 defeat in the FA Youth Cup final first-leg on Monday . City's head of youth development and former midfielder Patrick Vieira also attends the game on Monday . In-form forward Tammy Abraham fired Chelsea ahead in the seventh minute with a stunning volley, but that lead didn't last long with City responding through Isaac Buckley's slick low finish inside the box two minutes later. But Abraham restored the visitors' lead before half-time, hooking the ball into the net with an improvised and acrobatic finish at close-range from a corner - his 36th goal this term. Dominic Solanke then sealed the win for Chelsea two minutes from time, latching onto a Charly Musonda through ball and slotting coolly past the keeper. It remains to be seen how many of either of these sides' young stars will progress on to their respective first-teams. Chelsea's first-team are currently top of the Premier League table, while Manchester City's are fourth. Chelsea's Jake Clarke Salter (left) slides to block a shot from Manchester City's Manuel Garcia (right) Chelsea forward Dominic Solanke (right) celebrates after scoring his side's third goal against Chelsea . Chelsea's Tammy Abraham (right) tussles for possession with City's Garcia (left) on Monday night . Chelsea's Issiah Brown (right) shields the ball away from the challenge of the oncoming Pablo Matteo (left)
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and manager Manuel Pellegrini attended the first-leg of the FA Cup Youth final against Chelsea . Head of youth development Patrick Vieira was also at the ground . City's youngsters fell to a 3-1 defeat at the club's Academy Stadium .