17mins Richardson shot 1-0

Half time: United 1 City 0

78mins Richardson shot 2-0

50mins Bytyqi shot 2-1

53mins Hiwula shot 2-2

65mins Lopes shot 2-3

Full time: United 2 City 3

Despite holding a 2-0 advantage at one stage, United's U21 side exited from the U21 Premier League Cup at a blustery Darsley Park on Friday afternoon.

In front of a watching Alan Pardew, both sides made and missing chances despite the difficult conditions - City goalkeeper Ian Lawlor's double stop denying both Adam Armstrong and Rolando Aarons on 15 minutes. 

Newcastle went ahead within two minutes, when Jak Alnwick's wind-assisted kick upfield was only half-headed clear by City defender Greg Leigh. The ball fell for Michael Richardson and he advanced before calmly lobbing Lawlor from just inside the right side of the penalty area. 

The same player shot home in the opening minute of the second half, but a City side who had won their last dozen league and cup games then took advantage of the wind advantage to roar back with three goals in 15 minutes.

Austrian midfielder Sinan Bytyqi began the comeback in the 50th minute, converting a curling effort from the edge of the box. And just three minutes later the tie was level at 2-2 when striker Jordy Hiwula netted from close in.

Playing against the wind, United's only sight of goal then saw Adam Armstrong race onto Jamie Sterry's pass and shoot against the onrushing Lawlor on 63 minutes. 

That miss soon proved costly as City's impressive front man Marcos Lopes scored the goal of the game within two minutes, turning to loop home an unstoppable shot from eighteen yards.

Dominating the closing stages, City could well have added to their tally but comfortably avoided the prospect of extra time, United unable to create any sort of chance to snatch what would have been an unlikely leveller. 

Biffa