Chelsea 1-0 Sunderland
Chelsea moved to the top of Group 1 following their third victory in succession as they edged past Sunderland at Cobham training ground.
In-form striker Islam Feruz struck his eighth goal of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League campaign, and his sixth in four since Christmas, on the stroke of half-time to give the hosts the lead against the Black Cats.
Dermot Drummy's charges, however, were indebted to Jamal Blackman for preserving all three points after the goalkeeper saved Jordan Laidler’s spot-kick midway through the second half.
Chelsea report | Sunderland report
Manchester City 3-3 Bolton Wanderers
A late long-range goal from Jan Gregus earned Bolton Wanderers a draw in an entertaining Group 2 tie at Ewen Fields.
Bolton took the lead through Jack Sampson, but before the half-hour City were level through Jose Angel Pozo’s deflected shot. Stuart Holden and David Wheater featured for Bolton as part of their recovery for the first team but the former was forced to withdraw after a heavy tackle.
Bolton got another blow shortly after as Pozo gave City the lead but the away side quickly hit back as Dedryck Boyata’s own goal made it 2-2. City regained the lead through John Guidetti’s header and looked to be headed towards three points but Slovakian Gregus’s fierce strike meant the points were shared.
Man City report | Bolton report
Newcastle United 0-3 Reading
Reading enjoyed a comfortable victory over a nine-man Newcastle United team in their Group 2 tie in windy conditions at the Benton training ground in the north east.
Jordan Obita opened the scoring before Newcastle goalkeeper Jak Alnwick received a red card. Obita again and Craig Tanner extended Reading’s lead before half-time and Newcastle’s hopes of a recovery in the second half were hit when they were reduced to nine men by a straight red card for Jamie Sterry.
Newcastle report N/A | Reading report
Southampton 1-3 Manchester United
Manchester United scored three goals in the last 20 minutes to complete a comeback victory against Southampton at Staplewood Training Ground.
Warren Joyce's side fell behind to a Lloyd Isgrove header but rallied on 70 minutes when Tom Lawrence levelled the scores. Following the dismissal of Southampton’s Cody Cropper for a handling offence, Adnan Januzaj netted his first goal at Under-21 level won 85 minutes and Marnick Vermijl rounded off the scoring.
Southampton report | Man United report
Middlesbrough 2-2 Fulham
Ryan Williams’ late goal ensured Fulham salvaged a share of the spoils at Middlesbrough.
Striker Cauley Woodrow had given the Cottagers the perfect start when he converted Sean Kavanagh’s cross in the opening minute, but Kit Symons’ side were soon pegged back. Curtis Main levelled terms just three minutes later and Luke Williams’ strike put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time.
The visitors improved in the second half, but after Woodrow was denied a second goal by the offside flag and then thundered a shot off the crossbar it seemed as though Middlesbrough might cling on, but Ryan Williams was on hand to tuck away the equaliser in the closing moments of an exciting match.
Middlesbrough report N/A | Fulham report
Barclays Under-21 Premier League
Download full fixture list here | For full results click here
Results
31 January
Group 2
Newcastle 0-3 Reading (Obita 2, Tanner)
Manchester City (Pozo 2, Guidetti) 3-3 Bolton (Sampson, Boyata og, Gregus)
2 February
Elite Group
Southampton (Isgrove) 1-3 Manchester United (Lawrence, Januzaj, Vermijl)
Group 1
Middlesbrough (Main, L. Williams) 2-2 Fulham (Woodrow, R. Williams)
3 February
Group 1
Chelsea (Feruz) 1-0 Sunderland
To view the league tables after the qualificaton stage, click here
You can follow developments on Twitter with the Premier League's account @premierleague or via the hashtag #BU21PL
