**Premier League 2**
**Arsenal 1 (Harriman-Annous 90) Newcastle United 0**
**By Jeorge Bird @ Meadow Park, Borehamwood**
Andre Harriman-Annous scored a dramatic late winner as Arsenal U21s beat Newcastle United 1-0 tonight to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.
Max Porter’s side have also kept four consecutive clean sheets in that sequence, with first-team squad member Tommy Setford again impressing today.
Marli Salmon was withdrawn at half time, perhaps with the FA Cup tie against Wigan in mind, with Ife Ibrahim and Brando Bailey-Joseph also being substituted early in the second half.
Newcastle ended the game with ten men after Matheos Ferreira was sent off with ten minutes of normal time remaining.
There was just one change to the starting lineup as Marcell Washington replaced Joshua Ogunnaike at left-back. Seb Ferdinand was named on the bench in place of Archie Stevens.
**Setford**
**Hamill-Salmon-Clarke-Washington**
**Ibrahim**
**Agustien-Julienne**
**Bailey Joseph-Mooney-Harriman Annous**
**Subs: Dixon (for Salmon, 46), Ferdinand (for Ibrahim, 56), Zecevic** **John (for Bailey-Joseph, 61), Ogunnaike (for Hamill, 83). Not used: Porter.**
Arsenal carved out the first opportunity of the game as Demiane Agustien’s free-kick went just over.
Salmon then had a header saved following another free-kick before Washington made an important defensive intervention at the other end.
Brando Bailey-Joseph and Evan Mooney had further chances but, despite being the stronger team, Arsenal weren’t able to make the breakthrough in the opening period.
Salmon was withdrawn at the break, which indicates that he could at least be involved in first-team training tomorrow, with Jadon Dixon replacing him at centre-back.
Arsenal received a warning when Newcastle hit the post early in the second half.
Ibrahim then went off to be replaced by Ferdinand, with Louis Zecevic John subsequently entering the fray in place of Bailey-Joseph.
Mooney moved over to the right wing, which seemed to suit him very well, and the recent acquisition sent in a cross towards Ferdinand, who shot over.
By now Mooney was really starting to make an impact and he did well to win a corner with a powerful effort that was deflected wide.
There was a key moment in the game in the 80th minute as Newcastle’s Ferreira received a red card for a rash challenge on Hamill.
Hamill had to go off, with Ogunnaike replacing him and Arsenal looked to make the most of their numerical advantage.
They were given hope when Harriman-Annous, who had been lively in various positions throughout the game, was fouled in the area.
Harriman-Annous stepped up to take the penalty himself and although his initial effort was kept out by Aidan Harris he managed to nod home the rebound, which sparked jubilant celebrations.
Arsenal had to wait until very late on to find the net but they were rewarded for their persistence.
Porter will certainly be happy with the resilience that his team have shown of late with four clean sheets in a row.
This team is still developing in terms of cohesion but there have been some very encouraging signs of late, with Dixon and Mooney both making an impact tonight.
Salmon impressed again in the first half, while matchwinner Harriman-Annous was the standout player with his versatility proving a key asset.