Alonso hails ‘magic moment for the Academy’
Javier Alonso hailed a ‘magic moment’ for Crystal Palace’s Academy, as the Under-18s claimed the Premier League Cup trophy for the very first time in dramatic circumstances in front of around 4,000 supporters at Selhurst Park.
Just five days after being eliminated from the FA Youth Cup semi-finals by a Manchester United side which had won every single one of their matches in 2026 – a run of 14 games – the Eagles looked set to taste defeat at the hands of the Red Devils once more, thanks to Noah Ajayi’s first-half finish.
But in the final seconds of injury time, Benji Casey won – and scored – a sensational stoppage-time penalty kick, in a foul which also saw Albert Mills dismissed for United.
Palace continued to press for a winner in extra-time and struck the woodwork on numerous occasions, before Dean Benamar crashed home the winning spot-kick at the culmination of a high-quality penalty shootout.
U18s head coach Alonso told Palace TV: “I don't have words for the boys. They did an unbelievable job this season. They gave their best, fighting under the lights of Selhurst Park with the supporters.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement for the squad, for the boys. I'm really proud for all the boys. I'm buzzing now because I think they deserve a trophy this year because they are top players.
“The game was tough because there was a lot of transitions for everyone, chances for Manchester United, chances for us. We scored three or four minutes before full-time, extra time.
“We had chances, we hit the crossbar, they had chances, then there were penalties… I'm happy for the boys because they deserve a lot of emotions today. I'm really proud.”
I just said to the boys 'you are top players. You deserve to be here under the lights of Selhurst Park'
—Javier Alonso
Palace have challenged for the U18 Premier League South title all season long and also reached the latter stages of the Youth Cup – with the lifting of the Premier League Cup trophy seals a superb season.
Alonso added: “I said to the boys today: ‘we cannot finish this season without a trophy’ because the mentality of the players is unbelievable. They're always trying to give their best, trying to fight, trying to play together, pushing themselves a lot in training.
“The other day we lost against Manchester United but we knew that at Selhurst Park it would be different and really proud. I’m buzzing, yes.
“[Before penalties] I just said to the boys 'you are top players. You deserve to be here under the lights of Selhurst Park'. We are going to win. Just choose one side, go with confidence.
“They are top players. It's a magic moment for the Academy.”
And to the thousands of the supporters in attendance, Alonso added: “First of all, thank you for the support.
“We feel extra energy because we needed it to go to extra time against Manchester United twice in five days. It's a lot of running for the boys and I'm really, really proud.
“Thank you for the support for the Academy. It's my first season here and I'm really, really happy here.”