Man Utd U21s produce late comeback in EFL Trophy
Ethan Ennis scored the first of Manchester United's three late goals against Barnsley
- Published
Manchester United's Under-21s side produced a brilliant late comeback to beat Barnsley 3-2 on a night when three Premier League youth teams lost in the first round of EFL Trophy group games.
Manchester City Under-21s drew 1-1 at Chesterfield, but their League Two opponents gained an extra point in the group stage by winning 4-2 on penalties.
Tottenham Under-21s relinquished the lead twice in a 3-3 draw at League One side Bristol Rovers in the southern section, but then won 6-5 on penalties.
Burton Albion came from behind to win 3-1 against Leicester City Under-21s, while there were also wins for Reading over West Ham Under-21s and Stevenage over Crystal Palace Under-21s.
Fletcher's son is Man Utd goal hero
Manchester United's Under-21 team scored three times during the final nine minutes to win at Barnsley, where Ethan Ennis launched their comeback before midfielder Jack Fletcher, the son of former United regular Darren, netted twice in four minutes.
Oliver Wilkinson made history at Oakwell, becoming the League One club’s youngest-ever starter at the age of 15 years, six months and 27 days old.
Another teenager stole the show during the first half as 18-year-old Wales youth international Vimal Yoganathan scored his first senior goals, beating former England goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
EFL newcomers Chesterfield won on penalties at home to Manchester City Under-21s, where Will Dickson struck a post with his spot-kick and Jacob Wright had his saved by home goalkeeper Ashton Rinaldo – one of three debutants for the Spireites.
Midfielder Wright, who enjoyed his Champions League debut as a substitute for Erling Haaland last season, made the second-half breakthrough with a spectacular free-kick before Darren Oldaker equalised with 11 minutes to play, before Chesterfield earned an extra point for winning the shootout.
In a Merseyside derby at Prenton Park, Everton Under-21 scored three times after the 85th minute to beat Tranmere Rovers 3-1.
Josh Davison slotted in the 11th-minute opener to give the League Two hosts the lead against opponents featuring striker Beto and Denmark international Jesper Lindstrom, a loan signing for the Toffees from Napoli this summer.
Beto drew Everton level four minutes from the end and put them in front during added time, then saw his 95th-minute chip over goalkeeper Joe Murphy finished off by 18-year-old forward Martin Sherif, who had hit a post after the equaliser.
Everton's academy side scored three late goals to beat Tranmere
Rotherham, who won the EFL Trophy in 2022, started with a 2-0 victory over fellow League One club Mansfield courtesy of Jordan Hugill’s double, despite having Alex MacDonald sent off.
Port Vale and Salford City’s contrasting early-season form continued at the Peninsula Stadium, where Diamond Edwards made a memorable debut by opening the scoring three minutes after coming on at half-time.
Jon Taylor’s shot hit a post for the hosts 10 minutes later but Ruari Paton’s finish 19 minutes from time sealed a 2-0 victory for Vale, who had goals by Jayden Stockley and Kyle John ruled out before the interval.
Six-goal thriller between Spurs and Bristol Rovers
The most entertaining match of the night was arguably the 3-3 draw between Bristol Rovers and Spurs' Under-21 side.
Rovers' midfielder Isaac Hutchinson burst into the box and slotted home to net his first goal for the club, before Will Lankshear scored from the edge of the area to draw Spurs level.
But winger Mikey Moore's goal to put the visitors 2-1 ahead was just as good as he began his run on the left, dribbled into the area and nestled the ball into the far corner from a tight angle, when defenders were expecting a cross.
Kofi Shaw then blasted the ball in to level for Rovers, before Damola Ajayi gave Spurs a 3-2 lead that would only last six minutes.
Luke McCormick's header levelled the scoreline once again, but Spurs gained the extra point from the shootout as Rovers' Jake Garrett was the only player to have his penalty saved.
Spurs winger Damola Ajayi scored his team's third goal
League One side Burton scored three goals in the last 22 minutes of their 3-1 win over Leicester Under-21s.
Amani RIchards' deft finish put the Premier League side's youth team in front, with Mason Bennett, Ryan Sweeney and Danilo Orsi replying with goals for the hosts.
Reading were largely in control throughout as they won by the same scoreline at home to West Ham Under-21s.
Jayden Wareham placed a shot into the far corner after a menacing run to give the hosts the lead, before right-back Kelvin Abrefa controlled a pass and fired the ball into the side netting.
Harlee Dean's own goal put West Ham in contention to get something out of the match, but Royals midfielder Tyler Sackey made the three points safe late on.
Reading opened their EFL Trophy account for 2024-25 with a win
Brighton came from behind to draw 2-2 at Crawley, but missed the chance to come away with two points as the Red Devils won 4-3 on penalties.
Cameron Peupion opened the scoring for the Seagulls, with Charlie Barker equalising for the League Two club with a half-volley that crashed off the inside of the post.
Antony Papadopoulos made it 2-1, before Joshua Duffus' 84th-minute equalising goal.
Crawley then proceeded to score all of their penalties in the shootout, as Jensen Weir and Malick Yalcouye missed for Brighton.
Tyreece Simpson's neatly-executed volley saw League One Stevenage narrowly beat Crystal Palace Under-21s 1-0.
Toto Nsiala gave fellow League One team Shrewsbury the lead at home to Fulham Under-21s, but Callum Osmand and Lemar Gordon found the net to secure three points for the visitors.
AFC Wimbledon substitute Omar Bugiel buried a dangerous low cross as Johnnie Jackson's team beat last year's finalists Wycombe Wanderers.