Peterborough retain EFL Trophy by beating Birmingham
Mills gave Posh early lead with superb 25-yard free-kick
Captain Kyprianou smashed into top corner to double lead
Crowd of 71,722 at Wembley
League One champions Blues fail to win lower league double
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Birmingham 0-1 Peterborough
Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WM
Peterborough's pace is certainly causing Blues problems.
I just get the feeling though that Blues have settled a little more now. Maybe that Ben Davies timeout has helped.
Image source, Getty ImagesBirmingham 0-1 Peterborough
The Birmingham fans' boos are echoing around the stadium as Tomoki Iwata hits the deck after an unpunished challenge from Posh midfielder Archie Collins.
They will be feeling incredibly frustrated at the picture that's been painted so far.
Even more so as Ricky-Jade Jones goes marching down the pitch with the ball...
Thankfully for them, the ball goes out of play for a Birmingham goal kick.
Birmingham 0-1 Peterborough
There's a break in play as Birmingham defender Ben Davies has some treatment on the pitch.
Each manager has a quick chat with their players in the meantime with Posh boss Darren Ferguson looking the happier of course.
Davies is fine to continue and off we go again.
Birmingham 0-1 Peterborough
Gaby Zakuani
Ex-Peterborough defender on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
I think Darren Ferguson will be thinking that his side should carry on and just keep doing what they've been doing.
Since the goal they could easily have just sat back, but they haven't.
Birmingham 0-1 Peterborough
Ethan Laird takes a tumble in the penalty area after a struggle to keep on his feet as he battles the Posh defender.
He thinks he should have a penalty but instead he's just given a corner.
He has to accept it quickly as the corner is taken but the whistle goes as a free-kick is awarded to Peterborough.
Birmingham 0-1 Peterborough
Glenn Speller
BBC Sport England at Wembley
The words cat, pigeons and among spring to mind after that wonder-strike from Harley Mills.
Posh fans may have been fearing the worst after the start Birmingham made but they could even be two-up had Ethan Laird not prevented Abraham Odoh getting a shot away when clean through.
The pace of this game is ferocious and both sets of supporters are lapping it up.
Barry Fry up in the comfy seats looked like he was about to shed a few tears after that goal went in.
Weather update: still raining.
Birmingham 0-1 Peterborough
Birmingham have taken some control back now after a brilliant couple of minutes from Peterborough.
But in terms of carving out any clear cut chances, they don't seem to be able to poke it through the Posh defence.
Can they make something happen?
Birmingham 0-1 Peterborough
Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WM
What a moment for Harley Mills, Ryan Allsop had no chance.
I applauded Peterborough on Tuesday for their pressing and today Ricky-Jade Jones is really pressing the Blues defence.
On the flip side that could open up gaps. They are vulnerable when you get at their backline. They did on Tuesday and they will today but they need to use the ball better.
Birmingham 0-1 Peterborough
Image source, PA MediaIt's all Peterborough!
Abraham Odoh is sent through, bursts into the area, but just as he's about to get a shot away Ethan Laird slides in and tackles.
Great defending. Blues aren't looking like the side 47 points above their opponents in the League One table.
Birmingham 0-1 Peterborough
Gaby Zakuani
Ex-Peterborough defender on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
That is a fabulous goal by Harley Mills.
When you take a lead the next few minutes are so important but that could work in Peterborough's favour, Birmingham could leave gaps.
Peterborough have not looked out of place and you can't fault the way that they've approached this game.
Image source, Getty Images
Harley Mills (15 mins)
Image source, Getty ImagesThat's some way to open up the scoring!
Kwame Poku earns Posh a free-kick in a tantalising area and it's 19-year-old Harley Mills who steps up to take it.
Young as he may be, his free kick is absolutely breathtaking. Hit with ferocity and accuracy, it sizzles past the Blues keeper to put his side in front.
He was on loan to National League South side Enfield Town earlier this season. What a journey!
Birmingham 0-0 Peterborough
Matt Mitchell
BBC Radio WM summariser
It's finally stopped raining and Blues are trying their best to make the best of this zippy surface.
Down by pitch side you can see Chris Davies is trying get more out of Ben Davies to push forward.
Birmingham 0-0 Peterborough
Peterborough are awarded a free kick and try taking it up the other end but rather than mount an attack, it just falls into Blues keeper Ryan Allsop's gloves.
Though Allsop's kick doesn't fair much better either. He attempts a long pass but his only finds a Posh defender.
End-to-end but not in the way you'd like.
Birmingham 0-0 Peterborough
Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WM
Already in this game Peterborough are showing their threat.
We did say before the game there could be goals and we can see their attacking threat already.
Birmingham 0-0 Peterborough
A nice, early opportunity falls to Abraham Odoh.
The Peterborough man is unattended to and picked out as he runs behind Blues' back line.
The pass has just a bit too much weight though and ends up in the safety of Birmingham keeper Ryan Allsop's arms as the stopper comes out to collect.
Alarm bells will be ringing in the ears of both sides with how this one has started.
Birmingham 0-0 Peterborough
A loose pass from Peterborough gives Jay Stansfield his first effort.
After gaining possession, the ball is played through to Blues' leading scorer but he drags his effort well wide of goal.
He's disappointed with that attempt. Not one he would usually miss.
Birmingham 0-0 Peterborough
Gaby Zakuani
Ex-Peterborough defender on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
The rain is not helping but I think Posh have adapted quite well.
It's been a scrappy start. We expected a fast start from Birmingham but to me it's been Posh very early on.
Birmingham 0-0 Peterborough
Amongst the starting XI for Peterborough, five have been here before and found success.
Jed Steer, Archie Collins, Kwame Poku, Ricky-Jade Jones and skipper Hector Kyprianou began last year's metting with Wycombe Wanderers and here they start yet again.
But can they find the same result?
So far, Posh are trying to get on the front foot as much as possible with both teams just settling in.
Birmingham 0-0 Peterborough
Can Peterborough make history by winning successive EFL Trophies?
Or will this be League One title-holders Birmingham's year to reign supreme?
The showdown starts now. The rain is hammering it down at Wembley!
Birmingham v Peterborough (15:00 BST)
Image source, Rex FeaturesHere come the teams.
I bet there are some pre-match jitters amongst them but they are looking focused on the task at hand.
They've come out to a massive reception. Both sets of supporters will believe that their side can come out victorious but only one will be cheering at the end of the match.
Just a reminder that we'll have extra time and penalties if needed.
Peterborough pulled off a surprise victory at Wembley
Peterborough United created history and tore up the form book as they became the first club to retain the EFL Trophy, with an upset win over League One champions Birmingham City at Wembley.
A wonderful free-kick from former Aston Villa youngster Harley Mills opened the scoring, before a stunning strike from captain Hector Kyprianou put the Cambridgeshire outfit in the driving seat at the break.
Birmingham had little answer.
Blues were red-hot favourites to win the final, having clinched the third-tier title on Saturday and beaten Posh in the league on Tuesday, but Darren Ferguson's side did not read the script.
Ricky-Jade Jones and Kwame Poku might have added further gloss to the scoreline as Birmingham were limited to rare sights of goal, with keeper Jed Steer denying top scorer Jay Stansfield and Keshi Anderson wasting a golden opportunity by blasting over the bar.
With 47 points separating the sides in the League One table and Birmingham having already beaten Peterborough twice this season, the odds seemed stacked against them, and when Stansfield dragged a shot wide inside the opening five minutes they might have feared it was going to be a long afternoon.
But that was to be a fleeting glimpse of goal for City, as Peterborough then took a grip.
Keeper Ryan Allsop had already been forced to slide out at the feet of Abraham Odoh, before having to pick the ball out of the net on the quarter-hour mark.
Alex Cochrane bundled over the impressive Poku and, from 20 yards Mills, who spent two months of this season on loan at Enfield Town in the National League South, curled a superb free-kick beyond Allsop and in off the underside of the bar.
Ethan Laird was then forced into a last-ditch tackle as Odoh broke clear, but there was to be no escape for Birmingham on the stroke of half-time.
Peterborough goalscorer Harley Mills started his career at Birmingham's West Midlands rivals Aston Villa
Goalscorer Mills was again involved as his cross was flicked on by Ricky-Jade Jones and Kyprianou blasted home from the edge of the area.
Anderson wasted Birmingham's best chance five minutes after the restart when thrashing a shot over the bar when he might have cut the ball back to the onrushing Stansfield and Alfie May.
Stansfield then brought the first serious save out of Steer, on 53 minutes, but there was no real consistent pressure exerted on the Peterborough goal and both Jones and Poku missed chances to put the game to bed before Stansfield had a late effort ruled out by an offside flag.
Ferguson becomes the first manager to win this competition three times, but his team still have some work to do to safeguard their League One status for next season, as they are currently six points above the relegation zone.
Birmingham boss Chris Davies has enjoyed an unbelievable first season in management, winning the league title with six games to spare.
But the 40-year-old said they had to "learn" from days like this.
"It wasn't to be our day – congratulations to Peterborough – they scored two fantastic goals," he told BBC Sport.
"We got to the final third consistently but it's how do you create chances from that?
"We just couldn't find gaps in their defence.
"We started to play a bit more after the free-kick and you think we're looking strong and can kick on but then they score right on half-time.
"I think over the course of the game we were the better team – they hit two worldies from outside the box but didn't do much else.
"What today goes to show is what can happen in football – you can have days like this home and away – but to win a league title with six games to go shows how consistent we have been and things like today can happen, unfortunately it's happened in a cup final.
"Sometimes you get a punch in the face – we have to learn from days like this.
"We've still got six games to go, within that there is a day I will savour where we will lift a trophy. What I want is performances and results we can be proud of.
"It's been a bizarre weekend but once we take a step back it's one we can reflect on."
Peterborough's Darren Ferguson is the first manager to win the EFL Trophy three times
Ferguson insisted his team always believed they could pull off the upset.
"The game on Tuesday, although we lost, did us a lot of good because it gave the lads a lot of belief – they didn't blow us away," he explained.
"We are a team who can put in a performance like that and the lads played with real belief – it's the last thing I said to them, because you have to have belief against a team like that.
"The first goal was always going to be key and the two pieces of quality from Harley and Hector were the difference.
"We're a dangerous team when we go ahead – especially on a pitch like that.
"I thought we had the better chances in the second half. On our day we can give anyone a game and we've beaten the best team in the league.
"There's still a big job to do (in the league) but we'll let them enjoy this because you have to.
"Given the opposition, this is the best one of the three final wins, because you could argue they're one of the best teams League One has seen, and I have to congratulate them - but today was our day."
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
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| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
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3 Everton U21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 3 |
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| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 3 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
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| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
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| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 3 |
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4 Wolves U21 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 1 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
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| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
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3 Nottingham Forest U21 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 |
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| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
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2 Aston Villa U21 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 5 |
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| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
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| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 3 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
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| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
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| 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
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4 Liverpool U21 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 3 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 7 |
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| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
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3 Manchester United U21 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 5 |
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| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
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| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
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3 Manchester City U21 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 3 |
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| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 1 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
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| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
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| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
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4 Newcastle United U21 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 2 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
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| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 7 |
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3 Fulham U21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 3 |
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| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | -8 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
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| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 6 |
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3 Brighton & Hove U21 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 4 |
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| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 2 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
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| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
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3 Chelsea U21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
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| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 2 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 9 |
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| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
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3 Crystal Palace U21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 3 |
|
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 2 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
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| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
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3 Arsenal U21 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 4 |
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| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 2 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
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| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
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| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
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4 Leicester City U21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
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| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
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3 Tottenham Hotspur U21 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 2 |
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| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 1 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
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| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
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| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 |
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4 West Ham United U21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 |
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Manager: Chris Davies
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Darren Ferguson
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Chris Davies
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Darren Ferguson
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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