Manchester United edged past their illustrious counterparts, Arsenal, to book their place in the FA Youth Cup final four.
United would grab the lead through Darren Fletcher’s son, Jack, who rocketed a curling strike past the goalkeeper on his weaker side from the corner of the box on the 36th minute.
Just before the interval, Arsenal defender Will Sweet sent a long pass over United’s back-line to put Louis Copley clear 1-on-1 and dink past an onrushing goalkeeper.
Teenage sensation Max Dowman was the standout player, and would make his impact more substantial when he glided past Reece Munro in the box, received contact enough to earn a penalty, and converted the resulting spot kick with the utmost composure.
United’s Jaydan Kamason would fire back with an equaliser of his own as he collected the ball just outside the box before arrowing an effort across goal from the right wing in added time.
On the 8th minute of the first half of extra time, Bendito Mantato would slam in Samuel Lusale’s cut-back from close range to hand the visitors the lead again.
Gunner’s skipper Street was shown his marching orders for a cynical sliding red card offence on Kamason in the closing exchanges.
- Full-time result: Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United (after ET).
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That’s all from us at SunSport
Record-winners Manchester United further prove their tag in a display that showed why they are considered this year’s favourite to win the Cup.
Going into the night, Max Dowman was the name on everyone’s lips. and its safe to say the 15-year-old delivered.
For much of the match, he seemed to be the matchwinner as he sparkled throughout areas of the midfield, and though on the losing side tonight, he will certainly be the biggest winner going forward in the eyes of many, including Mikel Arteta.
That’s all from us at SunSport. Goodnight!
FULL TIME OF EXTRA TIME – Man Utd progress
Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United.
Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup dream is over in dramatic fashion.
An enjoyable watch in the end with Max Dowman shining for the Gunners and the Fletcher twins of Jack and Tyler strutting their stuff for United.
It is only a matter of time before we see Dowman in the red of Arsenal at the Emirates again… perhaps for the senior team next season?
RED CARD!
It goes from bad to worse for Arsenal as Will Street is shown a straight red card for a cynical sliding challenge on Jaydan Kamason.
To be fair to the referee, he had little choice there. Street was never going for the ball to stop an attack.
Penalty shout for the Gunners?
Arsenal are denied what looks to be a clear penalty after Godwill Kukonki stepped on the back of Ceadach O’Neill’s ankle.
And then, O’Neill goes close at the near post. Arsenal pushing.
SECOND HALF IN EXTRA TIME BEGINS
END OF FIRST HALF IN EXTRA TIME
Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United.
Arsenal have 15 minutes to salvage their FA Youth Cup hopes here.
As it stands, the brilliantly named Bendito Mantato is knocking them out with his extra-time first-half strike.
GOAL DETAIL:
Manchester United may have clinched the all important decisive goal – heartbreaking for Arsenal.
Samuel Lusale bursts down the by-line past Dan Casey and cuts back for Bendito Mantato to slam home
GOAL
Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United.
FIRST HALF OF EXTRA TIME BEGINS
Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United.
30 mins to come
Extra-time approaching!
FULL-TIME
Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United.
Nothing to separate these two!
Potential match-winner…
Max Dowman has just produced another wonder-run that almost ended in the winner!
His shot was well saved by William Murdock. What a moment that would have been.
More minutes, anyone?
Where the fourth official has got nine minutes of added time is anyone’s guess. Maybe they just really do not want extra time…
GOAL DETAIL:
United have been playing well without really threatening in this half, and then bang… it is 2-2.
Jayden Kamason has fired a rocket into the top corner from the edge of the box. Jack Porter got a finger to it but not enough to keep it out.
Can anyone grab a late winner?
GOAL
Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United.
Crowd feeling it
United players beginning to get frustrated, as are the small group of fans who appear to have travelled down for this one as they chant: ‘Same old Arsenal, always cheating’.
They have also been chanting: ‘Oh Robin van Persie’.
Some of these teenagers would probably struggle to remember watching him play…
Other ties
We have a break in play as Ife Ibrahim receives treatment for a knock.
Just a reminder, should Arsenal go on to win this one, they will play one of either Aston Villa or Plymouth Argyle in the semi-finals. Villa face Plymouth in their quarter final next month.
In the other semi-final, it is Watford vs Manchester City, taking place on April 5.
GOAL DETAIL:
Max Dowman slides on his knees in the corner of the Emirates after slotting away the penalty.
Ironically, the teenager looks to have injured himself celebrating, but he looks okay to continue.
GOAL!
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United.
PENALTY – ARSENAL!
Max Dowman has run from his own half, jinked in between numerous defenders before being brought down by Reece Munro.
I know I keep saying it, but what a player. Is this kid really 15?
‘Dowman another Lewis-Skelly or Nwaneri’
Arsenal have started this second half on the front foot, with Max Dowman at the heart of things as he wins his side a free-kick and whips it in to win a corner.
You can see why Mikel Arteta wants this kid in the senior set-up as soon as possible. The Gunners have another Myles Lewis-Skelly or Ethan Nwaneri on their hands.
SECOND HALF BEGINS
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United.
View from the Emirates
Arsenal will be relieved to be heading into the break at 1-1.
For large parts they have been second best against a talented United outfit, and could have gone ahead again through Jack Fletcher but for another Jack Porter save.
However, Max Dowman has been the best player on the pitch by a mile, and will be counting the bruises back in the dressing room after being kicked lumps out of in this first half.
HALF-TIME
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United.
GOAL DETAIL:
Arsenal are back on level terms and it was so needed.
An incredible ball from Will Sweet is met by a superb Louis Copley run and his finish is delightful – chipped over the onrushing William Murdock.
We have a game on our hands now!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
