Arsenal U18s’ title hopes dashed in seven-goal thriller defeat to Fulham

Arsenal’s hopes of winning the U18 Premier League South ended on Saturday morning, as they lost 4-3 to Fulham at Motspur Park.

Fulham took the lead in the ninth minute as forward Macauley Zepa’s corner kick ricocheted in the penalty area, allowing defender Bradley Slade to put the home side ahead.

Zepa doubled Fulham’s advantage in the 15th minute, cutting inside before striking the ball into the bottom corner.

Zepa was again involved in the third goal, reaching the byline to cross for striker Brodie Dair, who tapped the ball into the net.

Midfielders Max Dowman and Dan Casey came close to reducing Arsenal’s deficit on separate occasions but were denied by goalkeeper Dino Kaiser.

Dowman scored Arsenal’s first goal of the game a minute before halftime, finding the net after Kaiser spilt Louie Zecevic-John’s effort into his path.

Two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Casey further reduced the Gunners’ deficit, lobbing the ball over Kaiser, having received a pass from Dowman.

Four minutes before the hour mark, Fulham extended their lead as Dair capitalised on a mix-up in the Arsenal backline, smashing the ball home to net his second of the game.

Six minutes later, Casey pulled another one back for the Gunners after Ceadach O’Neill played him behind.

Dowman almost completed the comeback late in the game, but Kaiser tipped his effort onto the post.

Goalkeeper Jack Talbot made a save to deny Zepa from scoring before Dowman saw another effort go over the bar before the final whistle.

The defeat ends Arsenal’s title hopes, with league leaders Southampton recording a 6-1 win over Leicester City.

They trail the Saints by four points ahead of their final fixture against title hopefuls Aston Villa next Sunday.