Match report: Arsenal U-18s 5-1 Norwich City

5 - 1

WHAT HAPPENED

Kido Taylor-Hart hit a hat-trick on Saturday as our under-18s secured a valuable 5-1 win over Norwich City.

Ken Gillard’s side have now recorded back-to-back wins in the U-18 Premier League for the first time this season - and subsequently find themselves just three points off the top of the table.

Norwich came into this fixture off the back of consecutive league defeats and we wasted no time in sinking their confidence, with Khayon Edwards racing free down the right to finish Taylor-Hart’s inviting through ball.

Our opener came on the counter after Taylor-Hart picked the pocket of a Norwich defender and drove towards the penalty area - and our second goal arrived in similar style, only this time he pulled the trigger himself, firing into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Shortly after, Taylor-Hart doubled his tally with a stunning strike from distance, cutting inside from the left before finding the top right corner.

The youngster had a golden chance to seal his hat-trick before the break, wriggling past three defenders and checking on to his weaker left foot, but his powerful effort was somehow tipped behind for a corner.

He wouldn’t have to wait much longer as, following the restart, Taylor-Hart darted between two defenders down the right flank, before fizzing a low drive beyond the reach of Sam Blair. The 18-year-old has now provided four goals and three assists in just six league appearances this term.

We dominated the game from start to finish, playing some beautiful one-touch football, and late on we made it five with Luke Plange converting Charlie Patino’s inch-perfect delivery.

Alex Matos struck late on for Norwich City, but it was nothing more than a blip in an otherwise perfect performance.