Norwich City under-18s chief Neil Adams never had any doubts the Canaries' FA Youth Cup final penalty hero and former Chelsea youngster Cameron McGeehan would deliver against his former club.

McGeehan crashed home a last-gasp spot kick on Monday night to earn the Canaries a slender 1-0 lead against the holders for the second leg return at Stamford Bridge on May 13. The powerful midfielder calmly sent Mitchell Beeney the wrong way from the spot deep in stoppage time to spark jubilant scenes in front of more than 21,500 fans at Carrow Road in the club's first final appearance at this level since 1983.

Adams said: 'I think he was there until he was 14 and he is still a big Chelsea fan. He is always watching Chelsea television and this is a dream come true for him. He was desperate to win the game and took the penalty with great aplomb to smash it into the top corner. He'll probably have a sleepless night now. I was confident when he stepped up. He wants to take penalties, he has always taken them and I think that is probably the best one he has taken. It was never in doubt and at such an important stage of the game. They've won it I think three times out of the last four and they are a fantastic football club. They have excellent players and I am delighted to take that one-goal lead to Stamford Bridge.'

Adams paid tribute to the Carrow Road support, but is well aware Adi Viveash's side will respond strongly in the second leg.

He said: 'The lads are delighted in the changing room but we have won nothing yet. I wish it was one game. We will certainly not be sitting back and trying to defend a one-goal lead for 90 minutes. We have got the advantage and that is all it is. To win this game was so pleasing - not just for the lads but for the fans who turned out in phenomenal numbers for a youth game. To nearly fill the ground is incredible, but that is the Norwich fans. They come and support the team whatever. It was really, really good to get that late goal and it gives us an opportunity.

'It will be a tough task because Chelsea showed how good they are. We have a big job to do in the second leg but if we apply ourselves and show the same application and desire and determination as we have done in the first leg then we'll give it a good go. I expect they will still want to dominate the ball and they will probably have to show even more urgency, but we will have another gameplan.'

Adams had no doubts his young charges would be inspired by a huge home turnout.

He said: 'We were talking prior to the semi-final about how playing in front of 10,000 might affect them because they had only played in front of 3,000 or so before. But they told us after the semi-final how good it was and how much it had spurred them on. I had no worries at all that 20,000 would upset them. They loved it. What I have asked of them they have delivered and we have one more game to go. We have a good chance.

'Having watched Chelsea play I have seen them score goals for fun. They are that good so you think 0-0 is a good result the longer the game goes on, but I've seen the penalty again and it was penalty - he has took the lad out, and given the occasion and the crowd Cameron has stuck it in like he was on the training field.'

Adams admitted City's discipline was key to a first leg upset against the highly-fancied Blues.

He said: 'We worked on a lot of things on the training ground and the lads would probably say they were long, boring tedious hours because all they want to do is score goals. There is a tactical side to the game and I thought for what I asked of them they were outstanding - blocking shots, putting your face in front of the ball - it is what you have to do sometimes if you want to be a player. You have to be willing to show that commitment right through from the front of the team to the backline and the keeper of course. You see they wanted to keep a clean sheet, they wanted to keep shots out and that is all part of the game. We looked dangerous on the counter-attack but we had to dig in and do the dirty work.'