U18S: NEWCASTLE 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 4
Manchester United’s high-flying Under-18s remained hot on the heels of neighbours Manchester City at the top of the Premier League Under-18 table, thanks to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Newcastle United on Tyneside.
City’s 6-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday meant that it was impossible that Kieran McKenna’s lads could take over at the summit, but they nevertheless maintained the pressure on the Blues with this victory keeping the Reds within a point of the current league leaders.
It was a terrific performance by the young Reds, who took command of the game in the early stages and were very rarely troubled on a beautiful late autumn afternoon in the north east. The only surprise was the length of time it took United on to the scoreboard after dominating the early possession.
Angel Gomes eventually set United on the road to victory with a beautifully placed shot in the 34th minute.
And within two minutes of the breakthrough United doubled the advantage when Callum Gribbin, back in action following time on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, swept the ball home from the penalty spot after Lee O’Connor had been felled in the area.
Newcastle, coached by former Everton defender Dave Watson, enjoyed a brief resurgence after the break, but despite carving out a couple of decent scoring chances it was United who scored the next goal when Joshua Bohui finished off a top quality and intricate attack.
The Magpies were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes to go when MacKenzie Heaney was directed to the dressing room after being shown two yellow cards.
Indy Boonen wrapped up a highly satisfactory afternoon’s work for United when he claimed the Reds' fourth goal, with two minutes of normal time left on the clock, after teasing the Newcastle defence.
United: Sebtaoui; O’Connor, Warren, Dunne, Kenyon; Gribbin, Hamilton (McIntosh-Buffonge), Whelan, Barlow (Boonen 63); Gomes; Burkart (Bohui 63). Subs not used: Alex Fojtíček, Luca Ercolani.
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