McEvoy hits stunner as Man Utd U18s romp to 5-0 win over Middlesbrough

Manchester United Under-18s crushed Middlesbrough 5-0 as they continued their fine run of form.

Darren Fletcher's side made it three wins in a row after following up 3-0 victories over Charlton Athletic in the U18 Premier League Cup and Everton in the league with another impressive performance on home soil.

Jay McEvoy and Edson De Jonge-Seiros both produced excellent finishes from distance in the first half, while an own goal from Middlesbrough gave United a comfortable advantage before the break.

Camron Mpofu then converted a penalty early in the second half before substitute Douka Nkoto completed the scoring in the final minute.

United controlled the game from the opening stages and continued the possession-based approach that has been a feature of their performances this season.

Middlesbrough created the first opening when Joey Tremain's delivery from the left found Gabriel Taylor unmarked at the back post, but he headed wide.

The visitors were soon under pressure, with Junior Brown firing narrowly wide before he created another opportunity for Jariyah Shah, whose effort from inside the box was saved by goalkeeper Dwayne Bernard.

United took the lead midway through the first half in impressive fashion.

Brown's cross from the right was only partially cleared before Jaume Camacho-Sidos' touch helped the ball fall into McEvoy's path. The midfielder made no mistake, striking a first-time effort from around 25 yards which flew low into the bottom corner.

United continued to press and De Jonge-Seiros was increasingly influential down the left.

The winger's pull-back found Shah, whose effort was blocked, while Bernard then had to react quickly to keep out Brown's follow-up.

The second goal arrived shortly after the half-hour mark, although United needed some help from the visitors.

De Jonge-Seiros picked out Mpofu inside the area and, after his effort was blocked, confusion between Bernard and defender Ike Givenson resulted in the latter's header back towards his goalkeeper crossing the line for an own goal.

United thought they had another chance moments later when Mpofu was played in behind the defence by De Jonge-Seiros, but his appeals for a penalty were waved away.

The third goal did arrive before half-time, though, and it was another fine strike.

Yuel Helafu found De Jonge-Seiros with an incisive pass into the area. The winger turned away from his marker before firing a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner to put United 3-0 ahead.

United wasted little time adding a fourth after the restart.

Mpofu capitalised on a loose back pass and was brought down by Bernard, leaving the referee with little option but to award a penalty.

The forward stepped up himself and calmly sent Bernard the wrong way, finding the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.

Mpofu thought he had added another five minutes later when he followed up after Bernard had parried McEvoy's free-kick, but the flag was raised for offside.

United continued to create chances, with Camacho-Sidos shooting over after being released by Jacob Watson, while Brown's cross found McEvoy, whose volley was blocked.

Middlesbrough enjoyed their best spell during the final 20 minutes, with Eamonn Tohill shooting over before Billy Linacre forced an important save from Charlie Hardy at close range.

Fletcher's side remained dangerous at the other end, however, with Camacho-Sidos narrowly missing the target after being picked out by Nkoto.

United saved the best until last as they completed the scoring in the final minute of normal time.

Two substitutes combined, with Emmanuel Ziro cutting inside onto his left foot before delivering a cross towards the far post. Nkoto brought the ball under control despite pressure from the defender before calmly finishing past Bernard at his near post.

Camacho-Sidos almost added a sixth during stoppage time after breaking towards goal, but Middlesbrough managed to halt his run.

It mattered little.

United had already done the damage, completing a convincing 5-0 victory and extending their winning run to three matches.