Arsenal stun Watford with four-goal salvo to avoid cup shock

At half-time the young Golden Boys were well worth their 2-0 advantage and looked to be on the way to a home quarter-final.

But that dream was quickly wiped out as Arsenal netted four times in a dozen minutes to race into a 4-2 lead that, despite Watford’s best efforts, never really look threatened in the closing stages.

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The Hornets came out flying, putting the visitors under pressure and a close-range goal from Michael Adu-Poku saw Watford take a shock early lead. Fresh from first team football, Tobi Adeyemo was able to double Watford’s lead with a tidy finish just minutes after the home side’s opener. 

The Golden Boys went into the break with a comfortable two-goal cushion and had genuine hope of completing the cup upset in the second 45 minutes.

However, this would not be the case with Arsenal showing their true capabilities quickly in the second half.

The visitors’ first came from Amario Cozier-Duberry when he put away his goal from the penalty spot and gave his side the momentum they needed to push on for an equaliser.

It didn’t take long for the half-time substitute, Osman Kamara, to make an impact as he made it all square when he was able to pounce on a rebound and put the ball in the back of the net. 

The Gunners’ overwhelming pressure continued as, just a minute later, Michal Rosiak put Arsenal ahead with a powerful shot from close range.

The visitors put a dagger into the hearts of the Watford team with a fourth only minutes after. It was a second for Cozier-Duberry, again coming from the spot as he smashed it past the Watford keeper and consequently put the visitors out of sight. 

Despite starting promisingly, the Hornets were unable to cope with the second-half class of Arsenal which proved to be too much for the Watford defence who were left stunned following four goals in quick succession.

The Golden Boys will reflect upon the positives of what was a very promising FA Youth Cup performance and will take the experience of this cup run further into their careers.

There were two changes for the Hornets from their last FA Youth Cup outing with Ben Casey and Adu-Poku coming into the starting XI. Adeyemo maintained his spot in the starting line-up despite his elevation into the first team. 

The home side broke the deadlock just two minutes into the game. Following a well-weighted ball down the left flank from Harry Amass, Adrian Blake was able to charge down the wing and pick out a pass inwards to Adu-Poku who knocked the ball into the back of the net from inside the six-yard box.

Michael Adu-Poku puts Watford ahead. (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

And then, with just 12 minutes on the clock, Watford doubled their lead through Adeyemo.

From the right flank, Adu-Poku picked out Blake at the back post who was able to take the ball down and move past the Arsenal defence before drilling it across the goal for the Hornets’ number nine to tap in from close range. 

The Gunners looked to bounce back just minutes later with a chance from a set piece, but Gabriel Ortelli pushed Cozier-Duberry's effort away from danger. 

After 26 minutes of play, Arsenal thought they had found a way back into the game after Ibrahim met a cross from Cozier-Duberry with a headed effort, though his attempt was superbly stopped by the legs of Ortelli.  

There had been nine minutes of stoppage time played when Abbott tried to grab a third before half-time, but his header lacked the power capable of challenging the Arsenal number one.

Tobi Adeyemo celebrates his goal with Adrian Blake (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

Arsenal started on the front foot early into the second half with a shot from Cozier-Duberry, yet it was easily saved by Ortelli. 

Following another great stop from the Watford keeper, who was able to tip a free-kick onto the post, Arsenal’s Kamara was brought down inside the box by Blake as they chased the loose ball and referee Mr Claussen blew for an Arsenal penalty.

Although there was some contact it was minimal and replays showed the decision was harsh. Arsenal didn’t care though and the spot kick was converted by Cozier-Duberry. 

After a period of pressure, Watford were able to break away on the counter-attack with 60 minutes played, however Grieves’ effort flew narrowly wide. 

Just minutes later, Arsenal were back on the attack with Ibrahim down the right, whose strike was well saved by Ortelli, despite this the rebound fell to Kamara who was able place the ball into the back of the net and put Arsenal level.  

Only 60 seconds later and the Gunners went ahead through Rosiak. Ortelli was equal to the initial Sousa strike but couldn’t keep out the shot from the Gunners' number two who secured the lead for the visitors. 

The second penalty of the night was awarded to Arsenal with 68 minutes played after a challenge from Tom Georgiou on Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly was deemed reckless by the referee and Cozier-Duberry stepped up to capitalise on this chance and struck the ball in from the spot which put the travelling team two goals ahead.

Watford's players are stunned by Arsenal's four-goal blast. (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

Another great save from Watford’s Ortelli came after 80 minutes which stopped the lively Cozier-Duberry from putting Arsenal out of sight. 

The Hornets came close to a third in the 88th minute when Grieves took the ball down on his chest 25 yards out and looped a volley over the head of Cooper but was unlucky when it rebounded off the top of the bar. 

Watford: Ortelli; Casey (Georgiou 59), Amass, Davis, Abbott, Mullins, Adu-Poku (Massiah-Edwards 77), Aguilar (Taylor 66), Adeyemo, Grieves, Blake. Subs: Macaulay, Sikiru, Hamiga, Goulandris.

• This match report was written by my son Liam French, who is hoping to study sports media at university.