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Manchester United Under-21s hosted Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday afternoon’s kick-off at Leigh Sports Village.
Heading into the match with a perfect record of six wins from six, United looked to extend their win streak and regain top spot in the league, with Ipswich overtaking top spot with an earlier kick-off.
First half
The first chance of the match came via the visitors when the ball fell to Oliver Irow on the edge of the penalty area. He forced a good save from Dermot Mee, who was able to quickly move to the left.
Shea Lacey started pulling the strings in the first half with two delightful reverse passes in quick succession, giving Gabriele Biancheri and then Jayce Fitzgerald free rein.
Biancheri looked for the cutback but with no options available, the striker opted to test the keeper with a powerful shot from a wide angle that was parried.
Fitzgerald then looked into the penalty area to find a teammate, but could only find a white Spurs shirt.
Lacey then curled a cross into the penalty area which was incredibly knocked down by Biancheri under pressure from two defenders before firing into the bottom left corner to give United the lead.
Spurs created their own danger at the other end, but two chances within a few minutes were both cleared off the line by United captain Jacob Devaney, who was a key figure in United’s perfect start to the season.
Just before the half-hour mark, Jack Fletcher was taken off the line after United forced a turnover high up the pitch.
Biancheri made it 2-0 after great teamwork in the 37th minute.
Diego Leon initially stepped up to win the ball before Jack Fletcher played a pass through the lines that was held up by Biancheri. He passed the ball to Jayce Fitzgerald, who made a reverse pass to James Scanlon on the left side of the penalty area. Scanlon centered himself so Biancheri slid in from five yards out.
Spurs pulled one back just before half-time, the ball bouncing around the United box, but United failed to clear before Callum Olusesi bundled the ball into the net to make it 2-1 at half-time.
Second half
On the hour mark, Diego Leon produced a sensational strike, shaking off two Spurs players before finishing with his weaker foot for his first goal in Manchester’s red.
An awkward fall caused Lacey to stretch his shoulder, forcing him to dismount a few minutes later. He could later be seen resting his shoulder on the bench.
A late free-kick from Jack Fletcher zoomed across goal as Chido Obi swung his head and missed before Biancheri sent the ball wide of the back post.
However, Biancheri got his well-deserved hat-trick in stoppage time, after partnering Jack Fletcher to close the match 4-1.
Match facts
One: May, Helafu (Ngwafushi 76), Devaney (C), Armer, Leon, Leon (Manto on 67), T. Fletcher, Fitzgerald, Lacey, Lacey, Lacey, Lacey, Lacey (Ob 67), J. Fletcher
Unused subtitles: Murdock, McAllister
Goals: Biancheri 16, 37, 90+6. Leon 60 | Olusesi 41
Featured image Lewis Storey via Getty Images
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