Newcastle United U21s claim win against Peterborough as 16-year-old starlet makes his mark

Newcastle United Under-21s rounded off a positive week by claiming a 2-0 home win against Peterborough United and preserved their perfect record in the Premier League Cup.

With Monday’s dramatic Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland still fresh in the mind, the Magpies’ second win of the week was far less eventful as they shook off a tentative first-half display to secure a win thanks to second-half goals from Johnny Emerson and Jayden Kouossu. That was enough to make it six points from their opening two games in the competition and they will now look to take the momentum into Tuesday’s EFL Trophy tie at League Two side Rotherham United.

After a tentative opening 20 minutes, the Magpies youngsters created the first genuine opportunity of the game when Seung-Soo Park’s cross allowed Vakhtang Salia to bring a smart save out of Posh keeper Bastian Smith. The loose ball ran to Emerson and the winger can count himself unfortunate after his goalbound shot was blocked by visitors defender.

The Posh youngsters were offering a threat on the break without really working United keeper Roman Dowell and it always seemed likely it would be Stockdale’s side that would open the scoring. They came close before the break with Kyle Fitzgerald bringing a fine save out of Smith before Salia crashed a powerful effort beyond the far post just moments before the interval.

It always seemed likely that the opener would be provided by a moment of inspiration or good fortune - and the first goal of the game fell into the latter of those categories as Emerson put Newcastle in front eight minutes after the restart. The winger collected a pass from Fitzgerald before his cross from the right-hand side deceived Smith and nestled inside his far post.

Emerson was involved in United’s second goal of the night with the midway point of the second-half approaching as his cross allowed 16-year-old midfielder Jayden Kouossu to send an unstoppable header beyond Smith to rack up his first goal for the Under-21s. Although there were some bright moments for their visitors in the closing stages, it was Newcastle that came closest to grabbing the third goal of the night when the lively Emerson was denied in injury-time after racing in behind the Posh defence.

However, the hard work was already done as Stockdale and his players reflected on another positive night.

Newcastle United U21s: Dowell, Johnson, Fitzgerald, Craggs, Watts, Bailey, Emerson, Kouossu, Salia, Seldon, Seung-Soo Subs: Walpole, Bloomer, Yildiz, Miley, Ferreira, Thompson, Wooster

Peterborough United PDL: Smith, Bushell, Joseph, Christoudias, Freeman, Arber, Simmons, Fox, Sykut, Jones, McWilliams Subs: Elsom, Claxton, Ndonjang, Dagne, Mlityalwa, Jones

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