Match report: West Brom 4-1 Arsenal U-23s

4 1

WHAT HAPPENED

We reached the Premier League Cup knockout stages despite a 4-1 defeat at West Brom on Monday afternoon.

We came into the match second in Group A, two points behind the Baggies and needing to avoid a defeat by four or more goals to progress.

Our day got off to the worst possible start when the hosts took an early lead through Rico Richards, who pounced on Alex Kirk's wayward pass and fired home from close range.

Richards almost had his second moments later, but for some last-gasp heroics from Hubert Graczyk to deny him an all-but-certain goal.

We found some composure after a shaky start and almost equalised after Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand's powerful effort from 25 yards out clipped the top of the bar.

The hosts doubled their advantage shortly after the restart, Richards punishing us for yet another defensive error and squaring for Reyes Cleary to tap home from six yards.

Omari Hutchinson pulled one back for us midway through the half with a thumping effort beyond Ted Cann, after Zak Swanson's dangerous corner was only half-cleared.

Jamie Andrews restored the Baggies' two-goal advantage from the penalty spot after second-half substitute Mazeed Ogungbo brought down Mo Faal in the box.

We were given a late scare deep into stoppage time when Faal scored West Brom's fourth of the afternoon, chipping the onrushing Graczyk who tried to smother the effort.