Post-Match Report

Youth Cup: Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham - How it happened

Tottenham Hotspur U18 -

Mangata Pay UK Stadium, Meadow Park
FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
  Arsenal U18
      
                  Cottrell (13)
                   Saka (51
                   108)
                   Amaechi (95)
                   Balogun (102)
            
   crest
Arsenal U18
Cottrell (13)
Saka (51
108)
Amaechi (95)
Balogun (102)
5 2
  Tottenham Hotspur U18
      
              Shashoua (7)
               Bennett (34)
          
   crest
Tottenham Hotspur U18
Shashoua (7) Bennett (34)
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WHAT HAPPENED 

We twice came from behind to secure a dramatic 5-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur and book our place in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.

Strikes from Ben Cottrell and Bukayo Saka ensured that the tie went to extra time, before three goals inside 15 minutes guaranteed our progress.

Despite starting strong and instantly placing the visitors under pressure, it was Tottenham who opened the scoring.

Troy Parrot found space down the left wing and squared the ball to Armando Shashoua, who was left with the simple task of firing into an empty net - but their lead wouldn’t last long.

Following some slick passing on the edge of the box, Cottrell wriggled free of his marker and fired into the top corner for his third goal in as many matches.

Both sides continued to attack as the half-time whistle edged nearer, but once again, it was the visitors who took took the lead.

Paris Maghoma received the ball 15 yards from goal and picked out J’Neil Bennett, who fired past Arthur Okonkwo at the far post.

Xavier Amaechi then came close to an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, but his powerful left-footed effort was pushed away to safety.

Amaechi continued to threaten after the break and following a darting run into the area, the 18-year-old was brought down by Josh Oluwayemi. The referee was left with no other choice than to point to the spot - and Saka was there to convert from 12 yards. 

Shortly after Mark McGuinness made a stunning last-ditch tackle to deny the visitors a third, before Balogun’s powerful effort was saved.

It was end-to-end football in the closing stages, but with neither side able to carve open one last opportunity, the game went to extra time.

It was here when our attacking intensity and fitness paid off. Amaechi gave us the lead for the first time with a simple finish from close range, before Balogun doubled our advantage from six yards.

In the second half of extra time Saka scored the pick of the goals as he received the ball on the edge of the box and fired a stunning effort into the top corner from 20 yards.

WHAT’S NEXT 

Ken Gillard’s side are in U-18 Premier League action against Leicester City on Thursday, January 24.

The game will take place at Leicester’s training ground with kick-off at 7pm (UK time)

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