Manchester United U18s got their defence of the FA Youth Cup up and running in style on Sunday afternoon, as they won 3-1 against Crystal Palace U18s at Selhurst Park.
Goals from Maximillian Oyedele, Manni Norkett and Sam Mather set up a fourth-round tie with the winners of Blackpool vs Stoke City. The Reds will be looking to lift their 12th trophy in May, having won the competition for a record 11 times last season.
Travis Binnion would have been delighted with the performance by his side, as they put in an assured display in freezing and foggy conditions in the capital.
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Oyedele opened the scoring for United in the ninth minute, as Norkett showed his pace and skill to get down the left-hand side. His cross eventually fell to the 18-year-old, where the Salford-born Poland Under-18 international placed the ball into the top corner from 12-yards out to open the scoring.
It wasn't long until the Reds had doubled their lead, with Norkett getting on the scoresheet himself in the 12th minute. A stunning save from goalkeeper Elyh Harrison stopped what looked to be a certain equaliser for the hosts, before a devastating counter attack saw the young United striker played in behind the Eagles' defence to calmly slot the ball past the Palace shot-stopper.
Eagles captain Frankie Bell managed to reduce the deficit to a single goal just eight minutes into the second half, as the home side looked to try and find a way back into the match. Palace's goal allowed them tow grow in confidence into the game, with United having to withstand a swathe of pressure just before the hour mark.
Harrison's gloves were stinging on a bitterly cold afternoon in London, as the young keeper was tested both from range and inside the area in a flurry of chances early on after the break.
United eventually managed to put the game to bed in the 77th minute, as they hit back with a brilliant flowing move. After putting together a string of passes further up the pitch, the ball eventually made its way to Mather on the edge of the penalty area, where the teenager superbly cut inside from the left to send a sumptuous curling strike with his right foot into the top corner.
The result now means that Binnion's side will face the winner of Blackpool vs Stoke in early January in the fourth round, following the completion of their third round tie on Saturday, December 17.
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