U18 Premier League Cup

Manchester United 4 (Burkart, Bughail-Mellor, Gomes (2) Arsenal 3 (Saka, Smith Rowe, Olayinka)

Arsenal’s first fixture in the U18 Premier League Cup proved to be eventful for the wrong reasons as they surrendered a three-goal lead to lose 4-3 away to Manchester United.

The young Gunners were three goals up at half-time but were woeful defensively in the second period and were duly punished by an impressive United side.

Coach Kwame Ampadu made two changes to the team that lost to Chelsea in the league last weekend, with Zech Medley and Dominic Thompson coming in for Robbie Burton and Tobi Omole.

The alterations saw Daniel Ballard move into midfield, while Harrison Clarke was back in the squad.

Virginia

Daley Campbell-Olowu-Medley-Thompson

Benson-Ballard

Saka-Olayinka-Smith Rowe

Balogun

Subs: Clarke (for Thompson), John Jules (for Saka), Smith (for Ballard). Not used: Okonkwo.

Arsenal got off to a flying start with schoolboy Bukayo Saka opening the scoring after cutting inside and finding the net with a fine strike early on.

Emile Smith Rowe then made it 2-0 after he was found by Folarin Balogun, with James Olayinka proceeding to score Arsenal’s third and seemingly secure victory.

However, at United’s Cliff training ground, Arsenal’s performance levels fell off a cliff in the second half as the hosts somehow managed to assume control of the game.

Substitute Dylan Levitt crossed for Nishan Burkart to reduce the deficit and then D’Mani Bughail-Mellor finished well past Virginia.

United got a third goal when Bughail-Mellor was fouled in the area, with the prodigious Angel Gomes scoring from the penalty spot.

Gomes was on hand again to score another penalty after Largie Ramazani was fouled, with Arsenal’s capitulation complete.

Ampadu will be left livid at the manner of his side’s defeat, although the young Gunners will have an opportunity to redeem themselves in their remaining group stage fixtures against Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

via @AFCFixtureNews