- Palace beat Manchester United to win Premier League Cup Final
- Dean Benamar scores winning penalty
- Palace goalkeeper Lucca Benetton wins Player of the Match
Javier Alonso’s Under-18s side faced Manchester United in the Premier league Cup final at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night. An all action affair saw 120 minutes of football played, before a penalty shootout to decide who would lift the Premier League Cup.
An incredibly well-contested game saw huge numbers of chances for both sides, with each ‘keeper drawn into making numerous saves. United went ahead in the 19th minute through Noah Ajayi, with Palace equalising late on through a Benji Casey penalty.
Extra time played out with little to separate the sides, resulting in a penalty shootout to decide the Premier League Cup winners.
An incredible standard of penalties saw Palace win the shootout 6-5, Dean Benamar scoring the decisive penalty as he slammed his spot kick into the top corner.
Man of the Match: Lucca Benetton.
As it happened…
A cagey opening fifteen minutes saw little in terms of clear chances for both sides. Palace counter attacked well, looking to use the pace of Raihan Anderson and Benji Casey in behind.
The first big chance of the game fell for United in the 19th minute, Noah Ajayi wandering into the box unopposed before finishing low beyond Lucca Benetton to give the visitors the lead.
Chido Obi Martin was asserting his dominance over Sean Somade in the opening 25 minutes, and appeared to be too strong for the Palace central defender.
JJ Gabriel then forced a superb low save from the Palace keeper in the 26th minute, turning well in the box before drilling an effort towards goal. Ajayi was next to shoot from range, but Benetton wasn’t phased by the effort.
Just seconds later, Benji Casey broke into the United box and skipped through, but his slammed effort rebounded off the crossbar.
Again Gabriel was played through but as he attempted to round Benetton in goal, the young goalkeeper stood his ground and clawed the ball from the United forward’s foot.
Halftime: Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester United
A slight reprieve at the beginning of the second half as goalscorer Ajayi went down with an injury that forced him off the pitch, replaced by former Palace man Samuel Lusale.
A huge chance for United came in the 55th minute as Brown’s first time volley hit the inside of the post and trickled along the goalline.
Consistent positive Palace play saw them come close to an equaliser, but again United almost doubled their lead. Brown struck from inside the box but Benetton was equal to the effort once again.
Chido Obi had a huge chance to kill the final with fifteen minutes to go, but again hit the crossbar, lifting his effort above Benetton.
Benji Casey then came close with Palace’s best chance until the point, heading goalwards from a corner, but drawing a strong save from the United ‘keeper.
Palace substitute Kayden Moses got in behind in the 88th minute but was unable to force the issue, as Palace continued to chase a late equaliser. Benetton then made yet another excellent save one on one to deny Martin once more, as five minutes of additional time were shown.
Chuks Okoli then hit a blistering effort on the volley which left the United ‘keeper rooted, but flew just beyond the right hand post.
Just seconds later, Benji Casey breaks in on goal and United defender Albert Mills brought him down in the box, awarding Palace a penalty and sending Mills off. Casey stood up to take from the spot, and converted into the bottom right corner at the Holmesdale End.
Okoli missed an excellent chance to win the game with the last kick, but slipped as he struck his volleyed attempt.
The referee blew for full time, sending Palace to extra time against United for the second time in a matter of days.
Full Time: Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United
Extra time began, Palace with the upper hand as United faced thirty additional minutes with ten men.
The first chance of extra time fell to Raihan Anderson, whose close range header couldn’t beat Byrne-Hughes.
A huge double chance for Palace went begging, Casey forcing an excellent save before Dean Benamar slammed a strike into the crossbar.
Joel Drakes-Thomas looked to have opened the United defence up but his faded cross didn’t lead to a strong chance.
Halftime Extra Time: Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United
Lusale went down inside the Palace box right at the start of the second period, but the referee waved away calls for a penalty.
United substitute McEnvoy broke on the counter after Palace wasted a corner, but just seven yards out, he swung his shot high over the bar, missing a huge chance to win the game with just ten minutes to go.
Byrne-Hughes then rescued United once again. Benamar took the ball down out of the sky and slammed a volleyed effort goalwards, but the United ‘keeper was equal to it. Benetton then almost gifted Martin a winner for United but recovered well to spare his blushes.
After two added minutes, the referee blew for full time, leading to penalties, taken in front of the ‘travelling’ United support.
Full Time Extra Time: Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United
Penalties
Dan Armer scored low to Benetton’s right. 0-1.
Benji Casey repeated Armer’s penalty. 1-1.
McEnvoy scored to put United back in front. 1-2.
Anderson converted off the crossbar for Palace. 2-2.
Chido Obi Martin slammed his penalty into the roof of the net. 2-3.
Joel Drakes Thomas sent the United ‘keeper the wrong way. 3-3.
Ibragimov drilled his penalty into the top corner. 3-4.
Jacob Fasida scored into the bottom corner. 4-4.
Jim Thwaites scored straight down the middle. 4-5.
Charlie Walker-Smith made it ten goals from ten. 5-5.
Godwill Kokonki’s penalty was saved by Lucca Benetton. 5-5.
Dean Benamar scored his penalty! Palace are Champions! 6-5.
