U21s report: Palace 0 United 2

Dan Armer nodded home to open the scoring from Shea Lacey's saved free-kick, at the end of a physical first 45 minutes at Sutton United’s VBS Community Stadium.

Lacey and Jack Fletcher had opportunities to double our lead, against a combative Palace side who finished 10th – eight places below us – in the regular-season table.

Eagles keeper Harry Lee and his back four kept Adam Lawrence’s outfit at bay, until Chido Obi settled the tie on 73 minutes, sliding home to set up a meeting with crosstown rivals Manchester City in the last four.

FIRST HALF – ARMER HEADS US IN FRONT

It was initially a slow burner of a first half, with both sides looking to dominate possession and play through the lines, while offering physicality in defence.

United’s first promising moments came from Victor Musa on the left, after 22 minutes. Our no.11 was played through by Armer but thwarted in his attempts to create an opening by the onrushing Lee, who calmly dispossessed our winger before passing to Craig Farquhar.

Moments later, Musa’s searching cross had to be diverted behind by Tyler Whyte, with white shirts sniffing around at the far post.

Jim Thwaites, in for Jack Moorhouse in the only change from our 3-2 win against Sunderland in the previous round, capitalised on a Palace error to tee up Obi, but his drive was pushed over the crossbar by Lee.

The Eagles goalkeeper then parried Lacey’s free-kick, after the Liverpudlian was fouled 25 yards out by George King, but the ball popped up invitingly for Armer to nod into the back of the net.

That setback seemed to shock our hosts into life in an attacking sense, and just before the break King tested Will Murdock with a looping centre that the Reds stopper did well to tip behind.

Palace had the ball in the net moments later, but referee Adrian Squelch had already blown up for a high foot, as Farquhar challenged Murdock.

SECOND HALF – OBI SECURES OUR PROGRESS

United started the second half strongly, although Jack Fletcher was unable to keep his shot down after making a good connection with Jaydan Kamason’s cross.

At the other end, Seb Williams cut inside from the left but his weak effort was easily collected by Murdock.

Lacey’s quick feet were causing problems for the Eagles defenders – our no.7 coaxed a catch out of Lee, before Farquhar headed a further bending strike behind, although it did appear to be missing the target.

Palace’s no.5 thwarted Lacey again soon after, this time blocking at the far post, but the young Reds soon doubled our advantage.

Godwill Kukonki advanced 30 yards up the pitch and, although he was eventually tackled, Jack Fletcher won the ball back and passed to Obi, who found the bottom corner.

The former Arsenal man could have doubled his tally within two minutes, but Lee was equal to his lobbed effort after the other Fletcher twin had stopped a Palace advance.

James Scanlon and Gabriele Biancheri were afforded late minutes upon their returns from loan spells with Swindon and Rotherham, but the closing action was mainly confined to the other end, as Murdock got telling touches on attempts from Palace substitutes Hindolo Mustapha and David Angibeaud.

United will now take on City later this month for a place in the competition’s final.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Murdock; Kamason, Aljofree (c), Armer, Kukonki; T.Fletcher, Thwaites (Moorhouse 67), J.Fletcher; Lacey, Obi (Biancheri 82), Musa (Scanlon 76).

Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes, Leon.

Goals: Armer 39, Obi 73

Booked: Thwaites, J.Fletcher

Palace: Lee; Walker-Smith, Farquhar (c), Jemide (Mustapha 71), Whyte; Reid, King; Cardines, Williams (Obou 90+2), Gibbard; Brownlie (Angibeaud 71).

Subs not used: Okoli, Dashi.

Booked: King