U21s report: Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle United

Our young Gunners returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League 2 on Friday.

We left it late in the game at Mangata Developments Stadium, with Andre Harriman-Annous' spot kick making the difference in stoppage time.

WHAT HAPPENED

We were quick off the whistle, and Theo Julienne drew an early foul on the edge of the box for Demiane Agustien to try his luck, but his free-kick marginally drifted over Aidan Harris' crossbar.

The best move of the opening 45 began with a superb cross-field pass from Marli Salmon to Marcell Washington, whose touch was immaculate to control the ball. The fullback surged forward and picked out Brando Bailey-Joseph at the back post, who struck a sweet volley goalwards, but Harris was equal to it and parried behind.

January signing Evan Mooney embarked on a solo run before the half was out, beating two United defenders before pulling the trigger from 18 yards, but couldn't place enough purchase on the shot to trouble the goalkeeper.

The Magpies hit the post soon after the interval when substitute Michael Mills picked up on a loose ball and unleashed a strike that beat Tommy Setford but brushed the outside of the woodwork.

The visitors were reduced to ten late on after Matheos Ferreira was shown a straight red for a late challenge on Callan Hamill.

It looked as if the contest would end in a consecutive goalless draw for our under-21s, until Harriman-Annous was brought down inside the box deep into stoppage time. Our striker stepped up from six yards and had his initial attempt saved, but headed home Harris' rebounded parry to earn all three points.

WHAT'S NEXT

Our under-21s will be back in Premier League 2 action on the road to Reading on Monday, February 23.

Kick-off at Mangata Developments Stadium is at 7pm (UK time).

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal XI: Setford, Hamill (Ogunnaike 83), Washington, Salmon (Dixon 45), Clarke, Ibrahim (Ferdinand 56), Bailey-Joseph (Zecevic John 61), Julienne, Mooney, Agustien, Harriman-Annous.

Subs unused: Porter.

Newcastle XI: Harris, Miley, Watts, Pivas, Thompson, Finneran, Fitzgerald (Palmer 73), Bailey, Ferreira, Munda (Yildiz 87), Seung-Soo (Mills 45).

Subs unused: Taylor, Moran.