U18 Premier League
Arsenal 4 (Dowman 9, Onyekachukwu 16, Ibrahim 28, Zecevic John 45) Tottenham Hotspur 4 (Lehane 2, Feeney 41, Byfield 42, Beggs 90)
Samuel Onyekachukwu scored and was then sent off late on as Arsenal U18s’ title hopes suffered a potential blow with a dramatic 4-4 draw at home to rivals Tottenham Hotspur today.
There were seven goals in a chaotic first half with Max Dowman, Onyekachukwu, Ife Ibrahim and Louis Zecevic John all scoring for Arsenal.
With a 4-3 lead intact it seemed as though Arsenal would hold on for victory but Jamel Beggs scored a dramatic late equaliser for Tottenham.
Arsenal named a strong side which included the likes of Jack Porter, Brayden Clarke, Will Sweet and Andre Harriman-Annous.
Porter
Clarke-Onyekachukwu-Sweet-Ogunnaike
Ibrahim
Dowman-Copley
Harriman Annous-Zecevic John-Casey
Subs: Julienne (for Casey, 69), O’Neill (for Zecevic John, 87), C. Ismail (for Harriman-Annous, 90). Not used: Ranson, Marciniak.
Tottenham took the lead after just two minutes with Ellis Lehane scoring.
However, Arsenal soon equalised through Dowman, who continued his superb goalscoring form after being set up by Ibrahim.
Onyekachukwu then put Arsenal in front with his first goal at this level, with Ibrahim subsequently making it 3-1 as he ticked off the same milestone.
Tottenham reduced the deficit through George Feeney and then equalised courtesy of Junai Byfield.
Arsenal, though, managed to go into the break in the ascendancy as Zecevic John scored to cap off a remarkable half.
As the game wore on Arsenal introduced Theo Julienne in place of Dan Casey.
Ceadach O’Neill later came on for Zecevic John before Onyekachukwu was sent off in the closing stages.
Tottenham made the most of their numerical advantage with Beggs scoring the equaliser in the tenth minute of stoppage time after being set up by Miracle Adewole, who helped his side to produce a miracle.
Arsenal are second in the southern section table, three points behind leaders Aston Villa, with both teams having two games remaining.
Villa and Arsenal face each other in the last game of the season, which could prove to be a decisive encounter, although the young Gunners firstly have to play Fulham away on Saturday.