Manchester United’s Under-21s beat Leicester City 4-1 in Premier League 2, with Chido Obi scoring all four goals.
The striker’s first-half brace set us on our way in difficult conditions in the Midlands.
Lorenz Hutchinson had pulled the Foxes level after Obi’s opener, but United led at the interval courtesy of a fine individual strike from the teenager.
Leicester were reduced to 10 men when Reiss Khela was shown two quickfire yellow cards, before Obi’s hat-trick was secured after a blistering counter-attack.
He then added a fourth in injury time, sidefooting into the bottom corner after another excellent piece of skill inside the box, as we overtook Chelsea at the summit of the table.
FIRST HALF
Both teams had spells to open the scoring early on and it was United who threw the first punch, as Obi tested goalkeeper Jake Donohue with a low effort.
The home side then replied with their first spell of possession which ended in midfielder Ryan Donnelly hitting the post after finding room inside the box.
Obi had another opportunity, when Jim Thwaites’ cross was met by the striker about 12 yards out, but the teenager was put off by the defender’s presence in a congested penalty area. Great persistence finally rewarded the 18-year-old when he got himself on the scoresheet after 37 minutes.
Another teasing cross from Thwaites was delivered into the box and Obi headed past the goalkeeper.
Leicester responded to going behind with a well-worked effort, when Hutchinson found space at the back post to convert Misrad Ali’s cross.
However, United had the final say of the half when Obi netted his brace with a fine individual goal. After receiving the ball outside the box, the striker beat the defender with great skill before smashing home.
SECOND HALF
The action largely followed how the first half ended in a rainy Leicester, as United continued to dominate proceedings and looked to stretch our lead.
A third goal nearly came 10 minutes after the interval when Malachi Sharpe’s rapid speed led to him bearing down on goal, but Donohue made himself big to keep the ball out from close range. Leicester’s gameplan to catch our young Reds on the counter when numbers were forward created some problems for Adam Lawrence’s men, with Hutchinson and Kirsten Otchere failing to hit the target from range.
But after a brief spell of pressure by the home side, United were handed a late boost when Khela was shown his marching orders.
He was initially booked for colliding with Sharpe inside the Foxes’ half, and was shown a second yellow 90 seconds later for bringing Jayce Fitzgerald down in front of the linesman. The resulting free kick on the byline nearly resulted in United extending our lead, but captain Sonny Aljofree was underneath the ball and headed over from six yards out.
Chances continued to come for us as the home side pushed for a leveller with Fitzgerald dragging his effort just wide after twisting his way into space on the edge of the box.
The win was then confirmed when Obi sealed his hat-trick with a calm finish over Donohue. Space had been left by Leicester in an attempt to rescue a point and Obi made no mistake in tucking home his third.
However, the striker wasn’t done there, as he used an outrageous piece of skill before calmly slotting under the goalkeeper.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Murdock; Ogunneye, Aljofree (c), Kukonki, Leon; McAllister (McCormack 64), Fitzgerald, Thwaites; Mantato (Musa 64), Sharpe (Brown 86), Obi.
Subs not used: Honor, Jackson.
Goals: Obi 37, 46, 88, 90+1.
Booked: Kukonki.
Leicester: Donohue; Toko, Amartey (c), Khela, Ali; Neale, Donnelly (Richards 46), Golding (De Lisle 79); Hutchinson (Onanaye 79), Briggs, Otchere.
Subs not used: Marson, Fisken.
Goal: Hutchinson 41.
Booked: Toko, Khela.
Sent off: Khela.