Manchester United came from behind twice to progress into the quarter-finals of the Premier League 2 play-offs.
Visitors Everton had led after just 37 seconds through Martin Sherif, who netted another after Ethan Wheatley’s well-taken 10th-minute leveller.
The United striker, who became the club’s 250th Academy graduate last April, netted a second equaliser of the night shortly after half-time as the young Reds pressed high up the pitch.
Tyler Fletcher’s edge-of-the-box shot from a Sekou Kone pass put Travis Binnion’s side ahead and the latter midfielder then benefitted from a significant deflection to further extend the advantage.
Although it was United who attacked straight from kick-off, Everton’s imposing striker Sherif provided the visitors with a lead after just 37 seconds, when his low left-footed curler found the bottom left corner.
The young Reds overcame the initial frustration to regain a foothold in the game. Wheatley shot wide of the left post only two minutes later and before the opening 10 were out, the now dominant hosts had levelled. Goalkeeper Elyh Harrison’s fine ball towards Wheatley was chested down to James Scanlon, who spread it wide to Sam Murray. The left-back’s well-weighted ball allowed Wheatley to poke it around the Everton shot-stopper Barnsley before finishing expertly.
Despite United continuing to get a hold of the ball and drive forward, the visitors led again shortly after the half-hour mark. Braiden Graham headed a right-wing corner back across goal, where it came off Sherif’s midriff and into the back of the net, somewhat fortunately.
Another left-footed Wheatley effort from the area’s left side nearly restored parity once more, after a driving run from Jack Moorhouse, but Barnsley parried it away.
The intensity of United’s play with and without the ball increased after the break, and earned just reward when Wheatley scored his second leveller of the game. Where the first was a team move, this was all his own work, chasing down Everton’s half-time substitute Luca Davis, stealing the ball and finishing ruthlessly into the right side-netting.
United’s confidence subsequently matched the team’s intensity. Sekou Kone struck over from long range, Wheatley and Moorhouse had close-range efforts blocked and Scanlon’s edge-of-the-box effort was saved after a quick counter-attack.
At the other end, Harrison denied Graham well from another dangerous corner and then came out to force Sherif to think when one on one. The two-goal marksman struck over the crossbar.
It proved a key turning point. A little over a minute later, Kone drove between men, picked a pass out to Tyler Fletcher, who turned beautifully and shot from the area’s edge to find the bottom left corner.
Francis Gomez drilled one wide of the right post as the visitors enjoyed a good spell, but United came through it and benefitted from some fortune when Kone’s long shot deflected in five minutes from time.
Fine skill from Scanlon opened up another scoring opportunity, but his pass out right to Moorhouse was a tad overhit, leaving the midfielder to instead earn a corner, from which Kone shot over.
Although Everton pushed forward in five additional minutes, United held firm and looked comfortable at the end to secure progression into the quarter-finals.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Harrison; Ogunneye (c), Jackson, Kukonki, Murray; Kone, T. Fletcher, Moorhouse; Mantato (Devaney 68), Wheatley (Biancheri 76), Scanlon.
Unused subs: Munro, Musa, Rowe.
Goals: Wheatley 11, 51, T. Fletcher 71, Kone 84 | Sherif 1, 33.