- Exclusive comments from Premier League Cup winners
- Palace beat Manchester United in penalty shootout
- Goal scorers react to ‘unbeleiveable feeling’
Crystal Palace’s Under-18s made history as they won the club’s first ever Premier League Cup, beating Manchester United 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Javier Alonso’s side battled well and were unfortunate not to win the game in extra time, but Dean Benamar stepped up to convert the decisive penalty after Lucca Benetton saved United’s sixth spot kick.
The game was played at Selhurst Park, with a strong turnout of fans to witness Palace’s young Eagles lift silverware, following in the footsteps of the senior team.
“I’m just really happy that we won a trophy” – Benji Casey
Palace’s conversion to Category One Academy status has certainly triggered an improvement in the quality of football being played by the academy sides, and also the standard of players that Palace are not only able to bring to the club, but convince to stay.
Cup Final Stars React to Win
Speaking exclusively to ReadCrystalPalace, courtesy of OURCPFC, three of the standout performers from last night’s trophy win have shared their thoughts on the occasion.
Dean Benamar scored the winning penalty in the shootout, and was a consistent threat to United’s defence throughout the game. Palace fans will recognise the name, as he has started for the first team this season, in the UEFA Conference League against KuPS.
“It felt very good to win, I’m very happy with the team,” he expressed. “We deserved to win, all the players worked hard for this and it’s good it paid off.”
Few players put in more running than the left-wing back, who got up and down the left-hand side constantly, and came close to scoring on three occasions in the game, hitting the side netting.
Striker Benji Casey got on the scoresheet yet again for Alonso’s side, levelling the game in the 94th minute from the penalty spot, after he was fouled by United defender Albert Mills. Mills saw red for the foul, as Casey slotted his spot kick into the bottom right corner.
Casey then scored Palace’s first of the shootout, opting for the opposite corner. He shared his thoughts on the win with us.
“I am lost for words. We worked so hard and it paid off. It was a really tough game but we dug deep.”
Casey’s tireless pressing created numerous opportunities for himself and his Palace teammates.
“The opponents were a tough side but we believed in ourselves and we stuck together through the difficult moments. First half wasn’t the best and we missed a couple of chances but that’s football.”
In the second forty five minutes, Palace stepped up the pressure and were well worth their late equaliser. United ‘keeper Byrne-Hughes was forced into a handful of great saves, including one to deny Casey’s headed attempt late on.
“I think we came out in the second half with a different mentality and we were able to come back into the game as we believed in [our] ability.”
Casey looked back on a difficult cup run, which included a ‘group of death’ with both Chelsea and Manchester City involved.
“We played against really good teams coming up till this final and we knew we could do it. The cup was a great opportunity to show what we can do and we did it in front of all our fans.”
An Important developmental milestone
Winning a trophy is not only a huge achievement for everyone involved with the Under-18s side, but a huge moment in their development. Experiencing a cup run, the build-up to a final and even the pressure of a penalty shootout are all things which will benefit these players as they hope to transition to first team football.
Joel Drakes-Thomas, Palace’s tricky winger, has featured for the first team in both the Conference League, and the Premier League. He also shared his thoughts to us on the side’s win.
Yea it’s an unbelievable feeling to win the cup, I haven’t really won anything here since I’ve been at the club from six, so this was a bittersweet moment.”
JDT caused United trouble all game long, and was unfortunate not to win a penalty late on when he was dragged down by Godwill Kokonwi, who missed United’s sixth penalty.
“[I’m] proud of the team’s performance from the jump, up until the penalties.”
It was a great moment as Benamar slammed his winning penalty home, with celebrations erupting and the trophy lift marked appropriately with pyrotechnics and smoke cannons. A superb showing of support helped the team win, and Drakes-Thomas was keen to reinforce how important that was.
“Thankful to my family and friends who came down to support me and all the fans coming down there was great. Most importantly, grateful to God, because without him none of this would be possible.”
It was a great taste of payback for the Palace players, after losing to the same United team just a matter of days before in the FA Youth Cup semi-final, and JDT was keen to remind us of that!
“I’m so happy that we won in the area that I’m from, especially after losing to them in the Youth Cup so overall just thrilled and now it’s back to work.”
A brilliant night for the club, the academy, and a night these players will cherish for the rest of their lives.
