Shea Lacey smashed a hat-trick for Manchester United's Under 21s as he continues to devastate defences.
United came from behind to beat West Brom 5-1 in Premier League 2, with the
young prodigy getting three on the scoresheet before an own goal from goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo was followed by Louie Bradbury’s late strike.
Soleyman Mandey had put the home side ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, but United bounced back.
Jayce Fitzgerald was also sent off during the final stages of the game, after picking up two late cautions at Damson Park.
The contest didn’t take long to come alive, as the hosts took the lead through Mandey's calm finish from close-range after only three minutes, beating Reds goalkeeper Dermot Mee.
United responded within minutes when Jack Fletcher’s teasing ball across goal was met by Lacey at the back post, who showed great composure to level.
Chido Obi headed Lacey’s hanging cross just wide after the winger had beaten three West Brom players on his way towards goal.
After seeing more of the ball, Adam Lawrence’s men then took the lead thanks to Lacey’s penalty.
The winger won the spot-kick himself after being clipped by Abdul Abudu down the left channel, before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way with a stroked finish into the bottom right corner.
It took Lacey just 10 minutes of the second half to complete his hat-trick in the Midlands with a fine individual goal.Jack Fletcher’s inch-perfect pass across the pitch left the forward one v one with Callum Moreland and the 18-year-old came inside before curling the ball into the back of the net.
As Lawrence's side continued to control proceedings at Damson Park, they were gifted a fourth when Fitzgerald’s corner from the left was put into his own net by Okonkwo.
Substitute Bradbury was denied scoring from close range shortly after coming on, but the 17-year-old netted his first goal for the Under-21s in the latter stages.
Fitzgerald was once again pivotal in the move as his cross from the right was perfect for Jack Fletcher, whose effort was well-saved, only for Bradbury to convert the rebound.Just before added time, referee Declan Bourne showed Fitzgerald a second yellow card for a late challenge on Deago Nelson.