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Manchester United u18s hosted Chelsea within the spherical of 16 of the illustrious FA Youth Cup on Wednesday evening at Leigh Sports activities Village.
A rematch of final season’s Premier League u18s Nationwide Remaining, United had been in search of a repeat of the 1-2 win that noticed them raise the title final season.
After dropping factors of their final two fixtures for the primary time this season, Adam Lawrence might have understandably approached such an enormous fixture cautiously however as an alternative United pressed on the entrance foot from the opening whistle.
Chelsea had been pinned again from the off as United got here near taking an early lead on a number of events, the closest of which was James Scanlon’s poke in the direction of objective that was saved off the road after Jack Fletcher had hit the crossbar within the seventeenth minute.
Fully in opposition to the run of play, Chelsea had been those to open the scoring within the twenty first minute. A push behind Gabriele Biancheri which appeared to be a foul wasn’t referred to as and allowed Chelsea to counter assault rapidly. The transfer was completed off by Reggie Walsh with a strong strike previous Will Murdock.
United solely trailed for 4 minutes although earlier than Chido Obi levelled the scoring. A stunning ball was clipped excessive by Jaydan Kamason for Obi to run onto, holding off his marker earlier than slotting previous the keeper.
Obi seemed to show supplier when he performed to Gabriele Biancheri overlapping on the left however the Welsh ahead’s strike flew previous the improper aspect of the publish.
United deservedly took the lead within the thirty fifth minute with Kamason offering the impetus in assault once more, as he did all through the primary half. Kamason charged down the correct wing, shrugging off Ryan Kavuma-McQueen earlier than slowing right down to play the right chipped cross into the field for Scanlon to complete off with a diving header.
Scanlon notched his second minutes later to make it 3-1. Jack Fletcher’s excessive lofted ball excessive was latched onto by Scanlon to run by means of and end low beneath strain from the recovering Calvin Diakite.
Into the second half, Chelsea seemed to reply early however Will Murdock got here up with a sport altering save to disclaim Kiano Dyer from simply 5 yards out.
Very near being 3-2 one second, United went to the opposite finish and put the match out of attain within the fiftieth minute. Biancheri pressed excessive as much as win possession earlier than reducing again for Obi to complete contained in the field.
Obi sealed his hat-trick when Jack Fletcher’s free kick was delivered into the field however couldn’t be cleared by the Chelsea defenders, permitting Obi to pounce and make it 5-1.
Watch Obi’s sensational hat-trick on the membership’s official web site, click here for video.
The convincing win sends United into the quarter-finals the place they may face Arsenal, a match that may trigger further pleasure following Obi’s arrival from the London membership in the summertime.
United: Murdock, Kamason, Munro, Armer, Amass, Devaney (c) (Thwaites 79), T. Fletcher, Scanlon (Ibragimov 79), J. Fletcher (Fitzgerald 74), Biancheri (Musa 62), Obi (Lacey 82)
Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes, Kukonki
Featured picture Lewis Storey through Getty Pictures
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