Manchester City couldn't exact revenge on rivals Manchester United for taking their league crown off them this season - but they were given a visual reminder up in the stands of the lengths United have gone to catch them up on the pitch.
United scored two early goals to add the Under-18 Premier League Cup to their U18 Premier League North title - a trophy City have had to give up after a four year hold on it. Taking the cup away from United would have been a fair reflection of the two sides' battle this season, but it wasn't to be for a spirited City side.
Wayne Rooney was watching, as was new United technical director Jason Wilcox. He can claim a key role in developing this City side, having led the academy from foundation stage, and he will know all about the City players. It was another reminder of how United are plotting their return to the top by taking a leaf out of the City playbook.
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Not only have United installed Wilcox, whose final game in charge at the City Football Academy was last year's U18 Premier League national final, but they will have City's former Chief Operating Officer Omar Berrada leading them when his gardening leave finishes. They have also taken some of City's academy players this season.
Hopes were high that City's youngsters could replicate their 4-1 win at the CFA in March, which remains United's only league defeat. But in the division's top scorer Ethan Wheatley, United had a player who had been on the bench for the first team at Wembley two days earlier, and scores for fun at this level.
City coach Ben Wilkinson was furious at the decision to award a soft free kick against the Blues on the halfway line and he was still complaining as United played the ball over the top. Wheatley plucked it out of the air and volleyed beyond goalkeeper Spike Brits. Wilkinson may have had a point but he will have been just as frustrated with his side's defending.
Soon after Wheatley was at it again, rounding Brits and converting despite the best efforts of a Blue shirt on the line. United had won the header in the build-up, ridden a 50/50 challenge and got their luck. City weren't playing badly, but were now playing catch up.
It was the story of their season. Their points tally this year is on track to better the total that saw them canter to the league title last season, but they have already had to concede the title to their rivals who have simply been a class above.
Maybe United had been given some inside information from the man who masterminded City's success at academy level in Wilcox. After a very brief stint at Southampton, he is the newly-installed Technical Director at United.
Wilcox may also have had tips from his colleague Darren Fletcher - father of Jack and Tyler, who switched City for United earlier this season. They were alongside each other and were joined by Wayne Rooney in a star-studded box at Leigh Sports Village, and will all have been pleased with United's performance.
After the first teams of both clubs booked another FA Cup final meeting, this was more like a City-United contest we have been used to. City with the possession-based build-up, United with a more direct, ruthless, counter-attacking style. Maybe their senior players can learn a thing or two.
Matty Warhurst was denied by Elyh Harrison in the United goal as the lone highlight of a frustrating first half for City, but the better sight was arguably Wheatley's half-time substitution - with him needed with the first team on Wednesday in the Premier League. It would take a while, but eventually City began to fashion chances on their left through Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and Justin Oboavwoduo.
Divine Mukasa continued his good form and substitute Christian Dunbar-McDonald made an impact while Isaiah Dada-Mascoll was a stand-out in defensive midfield and headed over when well-placed in the second half. Matty Henderson-Hall forced a good save and City had the goal their play deserved when the impressive Steven Mfuni converted in the box with five minutes to play.
But United defended deep and defended their lead well. The Blues players all sank to the turf at full time - losing is one thing but at the home of your rivals is another. United brought out all the stops to celebrate their league and cup double, but know they still have plenty to do to catch City's academy dominance over multiple seasons in this modern era.
City's own cup double dream is over, however the season can still end in success in the FA Youth Cup final. And the Blues will be stronger in that showpiece at the Etihad for their harsh lesson learned at Leigh on Tuesday.
