Reigning FA Youth Cup champions Manchester United under-18s kicked off their title defense today at Crystal Palace in a mist-shrouded Selhurst Park.
United took an early lead when Manni Norkett moved behind on the left and ran into the box towards the center for Ethan Williams to rush to hit the defender and the deflected shot fell into the path of Maxi Oyedele at the back post to slot in. the goal.
Crystal Palace responded almost immediately with a cross from the right that was deflected towards goal from close range but saved by Elyh Harrison’s outstretched foot.
The fantastic save was the catalyst for a quick counter-attack with a long ball from Williams down the middle to Norkett running from behind straight at goal and the striker side-footed past the goalkeeper to double United’s lead.
In the 21st minute, Dan Gore picked up the deflected ball and drove down the middle to unleash a shot from the edge of the box that the keeper was initially unable to catch but recovered to pounce on the ball.
A great play between Dan Gore and Sam Mather ended with Gore’s whipping cross from the left to Victor Musa’s head that seemed destined for the corner only to be parried by the Palace keeper.
Moments later, a corner was taken to the head of Sonny Alofree which was blocked and fell to Tyler Fredricson from close range which was incredibly avoided by Palacio goalkeeper Jackson Izquierdo. In the next curve, Musa got up to head towards the low right that Izquierdo served again well.
Palace had a chance to get one back late in the half as the ball bounced around the United box before being whipped by Freddie Bell to keep the score 0–2 before half-time.
However, early in the second half Palace pulled one back as Bell did not make the same mistake, this time turning James Nolan on the edge of the box and striking from a wide angle with such power that Harrison could only push up. and inward. the roof of the network.
Five minutes later, Adler Nascimento cut in from the left and sailed past Harrison’s reach, but luckily for United, the ball smashed off the crossbar and out.
At 76, Jack Moorhouse fed Mather down the left and he sliced ​​back with his right foot and curled it perfectly into the top right corner without giving the keeper any chance.
Sam Mather, take a bow! ???? pic.twitter.com/E5jGkqhrIm
— academyarena Utd (@academyarenaUTD) December 11, 2022
Late in stoppage time, Gore nearly added to the score with a fantastic 20-yard strike that echoed off the crossbar, but it was ultimately enough as United won 1-3 to progress to the next round as they chase the illustrious FA Youth Cup for the second year running. United: Harrison, Jackson, Fredricson, Aljofree, Nolan, Oyedele, Gore, Williams, Mather (Berry 90), Musa (Moorhouse 61), Norkett (Wheatley 73)
Unused Substitutes: Wooster, Fitzgerald, Lacey
