Crystal Palace Under 21’s vs Liverpool Under 21’s

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re all well.

Before I start with this match I must acknowledge the brilliant away win the first team got at Manchester United on Saturday afternoon! I was absolutely gutted not to be there (stupid train strikes) but I was cheering on from home, the goal was fantastic from Joachim Andersen and I am very happy to see Palace 9th above our opponents!

Anyway onto this game. Because I missed this game I decided to get my weekly dose of live football watching the Young Eagles. On Sunday 1st October 2023, Crystal Palace under 21’s hosted Liverpool under 21’s at Copers Cope Academy for a Premier League 2 fixture as they hunted for vital points to move up the table.

Crystal Palace came into the game following a midweek 1-1 draw against Athletic Club in the Premier League International Cup. Their most recent PL2 game was a 4-3 loss away to Nottingham Forest, and they came into this game 22nd in the league with only two wins in this campaign so far with the rest being losses.

This week’s visitors were Barry Lewtas’ Liverpool. The under 21 side who were also involved in the Premier League International Cup midweek, lost 2-1 at home to Monaco. Though the team from the Merseyside had a strong start to their 23/24 campaign winning three of their five opening games.

Darren Powell made five changes to his side these saw; Jackson Izquierdo, David Ozoh, Malcolm Ebiowei, Ademola Ola-Adebomi and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi all come in for Joe Whitworth, Jadan Raymond, Hindolo Mustapha, Franco Umeh and Victor Akinwale.

The ten men of Crystal Palace under 21’s were overcome by a strong Liverpool under 21’s side despite Ademola Ola-Adebomi taking the lead first.

The visitors, who came into the game higher in the league table, got off to a strong start creating chances that called the Palace defence into action early on.

Despite the pressure Liverpool applied, it was Palace who managed to take an early lead with their first attempt on goal. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Danny Imray looked bright down the right, and after capitalising on Liverpool’s failure of a clearance the ball fell to Ademola Ola-Adebomi. Palace’s number 9 controlled the ball with his chest and after a single touch found the back of the net, with his shot too strong for Marcelo Pitaluga in the Liverpool net.

In the hunt to double their lead the Young Eagles Rak-Sakyi and Imray continued to be a threat, though it was Liverpool who got the second goal of the game to bring the scores back level. Tom Hill and Mateus Musialowski worked together to get up the pitch, the latter received the ball on the edge of the box and found the back of the net.

Just five minutes before the break Palace’s task of regaining the lead was made harder as they were reduced to ten men after the dismissal of Justin Devenny following a second yellow card.

The impact was almost instant, a minute later Liverpool took the lead. A ball into the box from Bobby Clark found the head of Paul Glatzel, who from six yards out beat Jackson Izquierdo in the Palace net.

Liverpool almost got a third before half time through a counterattack, but Izquierdo stood strong and made a good save at his near post.

Much like the first half, Liverpool came out from the break full of confidence looking for more goals. It only took six minutes for them to find their third of the game, a free kick found Luke Chambers driving forwards, he eventually picked out striker Lewis Koumas who finished from close range.

The game continued to be a tricky one for the home side with near constant pressure being applied.

The away team managed to find a fourth and final goal in the final five minutes of normal time, killing all hope of a comeback. Liverpool’s number 11, Koumas, got his second of the game chipping the ball over Izquierdo.

Substitute Franco Umeh did get a goal back in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough and the game ended 4-2 to Liverpool.

The Young Eagles will next face Monaco in the Premier League International Cup on the 24th of October, before returning to the PL2 to face West Bromwich Albion as they hope to pick up some important points.

My next game is the first team at home against Nottingham Forest on Saturday 7th, so look out for that post!

Thank you for reading!

Ellie Xx