Quote:
Barclays U21 Premier League
Monday 1 December
Staplewood Training Ground
SOUTHAMPTON U21 1
(Seager 90)
MANCHESTER UNITED U21 0
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01/12/2014 - ManUtd.com, Adam Marshall
U21s: Southampton 1 United 0
Manchester United slipped to only a second defeat of the Under-21 season as Southampton moved level on points with the Reds in the table.
Jonny Evans played a full 90 minutes to step up his comeback, which is a huge plus point, but Ryan Seager ensured the goalless stalemate that had taken hold was ended with a late winner.
Marnick Vermijl captained the side in the absence of Tom Thorpe with Donald Love partnering Evans in the middle but they were rarely threatened during a scrappy first half. Seager fired way over the top with the game's first attempt and was off target again following Love's header out.
The only real save of the first half came when Will Keane, who held the ball up well throughout, turned to shoot at Paulo Gazzaniga in the 39th minute. United failed to test Gazzaniga again with Liam Grimshaw fluffing his effort from Keane's intelligent lay-off and James Weir, in for the ill Josh Harrop, lacking power in a shot that was easily fielded by the Argentinian keeper.
The hosts knocked on the door as only an incredible goalline clearance by Evans saved his team after Seager got his head to a Sam McQueen cross. Omar Rowe pounced on the rebound but Amos saved smartly from close range. After Matt Targett shaved the bar with a free-kick, Amos could only watch as a Rowe curler struck an upright and bounced into his arms.
There was a genuine penalty shout when Weir was felled by Jake Hesketh's reckless sliding tackle inside the area and Andreas Pereira wasted a promising set-piece after being fouled. But the late, unexpected sting in the tail was provided by the Saints as Seager showed his finishing prowess by firing past the exposed Amos.