- Albion lose 5-1 after second-half turnaround
- Jayden Onen broke the deadlock for the Seagulls
- Arsenal score five second-half goals to seal victory
- Ian Baird’s team play Swansea City at home next week
Despite taking the lead against Arsenal at the Shenley Training Centre, Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-18s were convincingly beaten 5-1 this afternoon.
Jayden Onen fired home just before half-time to give the Seagulls a 1-0 lead at the break, but five second-half goals swung the game in Arsenal’s favour to seal the three points in north London.
Albion created a good chance after just two minutes, when Alex Cochrane’s searching pass down the channel found Stefan Ljubicic, but the frontman’s firm effort was straight at Joao Virginia.
It looked as if the game would remain level at the break, but on the stroke of half-time Matt Everitt’s cross found Onen inside the penalty area, and the winger’s looping effort hit the back of the net to give Albion the lead.
The teams returned for the second half and Albion’s lead proved short-lived, as Arsenal midfielder Josh Benson beat Tom McGill to restore parity to the scoreline after 48 minutes.
Trae Coyle’s penalty then gave the hosts the advantage, before Bakayo Sako opened up a two-goal cushion to make it 3-1 and present the Seagulls with an uphill battle for the remainder of the game.
Albion looked for a way back into the contest when Everitt slipped a pass through for Danny Cashman, but the pacy striker was unable to capitalise in front of goal, as Arsenal retreated to cancel the danger.
Coyle then bagged his brace to extend the Gunners’ lead, and it continued to be a frustrating afternoon for Ian Baird’s team, as Tyrese Fornah saw his shot sail straight into Virginia’s hands.
Albion refused to give up and almost pulled a goal back through Cashman, but the striker’s header from Cochrane’s corner struck the crossbar and bounced to safety.
Central defender Joseph Olowu had the final say in the 87th minute, scoring Arsenal’s fifth goal in a damaging second-half period for the Seagulls, which saw them head home empty-handed.
ALBION: McGill; Morrison, Weaire (Tutt 87), Roberts, Cochrane; Everitt, Fornah, Shihab (Hutchinson 89), Onen (Kone 55); Ljubicic, Cashman.
Subs not used: Bentley (GK), Clark-Eden.