Crystal Palace Under-18s produced an emphatic 3-0 victory over Leeds United at the Academy on Saturday, keeping their defence of the U18 Premier League Cup on course. The result leaves Javier Alonso’s side level with Nottingham Forest on three points in Group C, ahead on goal difference with one match remaining.
Palace set the tone from the opening stages, with Donte Martin striking in the 11th minute after Leeds failed to clear a dangerous attack. Raihaan Anderson then doubled the advantage soon afterwards, meeting AJ Greaves’ cross with a close-range header as the Young Eagles continued to dominate the first half.
Martin came close to adding another before the interval, while Anderson and Greaves also threatened. Palace’s attacking pressure continued after the restart, and Martin completed his brace on the hour by lifting the ball over the advancing Leeds goalkeeper to give the hosts a commanding lead.
The Young Eagles remained on the front foot in the closing stages and created further opportunities, with Greaves among those to test Oliver Wood. Leeds offered little to trouble Palace goalkeeper Lucca Benetton, who returned from England Under-17 duty, and Palace secured a clean sheet alongside a valuable three points.
Palace began Group C with a 2-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest, while Leeds and Aston Villa had previously drawn a six-goal thriller. With only the group winner guaranteed a quarter-final place, Palace now face a decisive final fixture against Aston Villa. Victory in that match, scheduled for Saturday, 7th November, would put Alonso’s team in a strong position to progress to the knockout stages.
