FA Youth Cup Quarter Final – Arsenal 3 Everton 1 (Emirates Stadium, attendance 2725) 400
Scorers – Arsenal: Jebb (34, 62) Akpom (40), Everton: Williams (48)
FA Youth Cup victory for Arsenal
Arsenal Under-18s emulated their elders by seeing off a competitive Everton side to book their place in the Semi Finals of the FA Youth Cup.
A penalty from Jack Jebb and a fine strike from skipper Chuba Akpom gave Arsenal a 2-0 half-time advantage, before Joe Williams offered some hope to the visitors with a goal of his own. However, a sumptuous free-kick from Jebb mid-way just after the hour mark put the game beyond doubt.
The First Half
After a probing start from both teams, it was Everton who crafted the more promising early chances. Striker Courtney Duffus saw his header well saved by Arsenal keeper Josh Vickers, before Ryan Ledson headed a more straightforward chance wide – both set up by right winger Calum Dyson.
Arsenal were enjoying the majority of possession, but were struggling to make inroads against a well organised Everton defence. Their best chance in the opening stages fell to Akpom, but the captain blazed over from 10 yards after a well-worked corner routine.
The striker atoned for his miss on 33 minutes, when he surged onto a through ball and drew contact from Everton keeper Russell Griffiths. Referee Charles Breakspear wasted no time in pointing to the spot, and Jack Jebb wasted no time in putting the hosts in front from 12 yards out.
Jebb’s goal sprung Arsenal into action. Left back Brandon Ormonde-Ottewil saw his low effort well saved, before Akpom doubled their lead on 40 minutes, holding off Curtis Langton and sweeping an excellent left footer into the top right corner.
The Second Half
Everton came out firing after half-time, and got back into the game on 48 minutes when Joe Williams seized upon Tyrone Duffus’s knock-down and scored from close range.
The opened up as Everton strove for an equaliser. Arsenal had right back Tafari Moore to thank for a desperate slide tackle to deny Courtney Duffus, before Akpom hit the bar from close range after Jebb’s shot was saved.
On 62 minutes the young Gunners put the game beyond doubt, as Jebb curled a wonderful free-kick past a statuesque Griffiths from 25 yards.
The young Gunners, who currently lie third from bottom in the Premier Academy League, will face Chelsea or Newcastle in the Semi Finals as they attempt to win the trophy for the eighth time – their last victory came in 2009, with a team featuring Jack Wilshere.
