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The Swiss national team celebrated their 10th victory in their eleventh World Cup game in Calgary with a score of 5-6 against the USA.

After Skipp Silvana Terenzoni’s Swiss team took part in the knockout round against the Russians early on Thursday evening, they also won the next game. Switzerland won the duel against the USA with Tabitha Peterson Scape 6: 5.

This means that CCAraw’s Melanie Barbizat, Esther Neuschwander, Trinzoni and Alena Batz have won 10 times after 11 games. In their pursuit of victories, the current world champions are on the verge of setting an impressive record in Swiss curling for women.

Admission is still possible

Patz, who always plays fourth place in the Terenzone crew and always plays the last pair of stones, became world champion in Sapporo in 2015 after skipping Baden Reggio. He won 12 of 13 games, averaging 92.3 percent. The proportion of women in Aarau is currently 90.9%.

You still have two Robben rounds to play (against Germany and Estonia), then the “quarter-finals”, the semi-finals and either the final or the game for third place. If you go undefeated for the rest of the World Cup, you will break the record.

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Middlesbrough claimed top spot in Group 2 without playing this weekend, thanks to Sunderland being thrashed 4-1 by Arsenal. Going into the final weekend of games, Group 1 looks set to be comfortably won by current leaders Manchester City. Group 3 is extremely tight. All top five teams could still win Group 3, with Swansea City the current leaders.

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GROUP 1

GROUP 1
POS	CLUB	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1	Manchester City U18	4	4	0	0	10	3	7	12
2	Chelsea U18	5	3	1	1	14	8	6	10
3	Everton U18	5	3	0	2	6	8	-2	9
4	Liverpool U18	6	2	1	3	11	9	2	7
5	Reading U18	6	1	2	3	8	11	-3	5
6	Blackburn Rovers U18	4	1	1	2	5	6	-1	4
7	West Ham United U18	5	0	4	1	5	8	-3	4
8	Fulham U18	5	1	1	3	7	13	-6	4

Everton P-P Manchester City

Postponed with City, Group 1 leaders, playing in the FA Cup Final first-leg against Chelsea their academy stadium in the shadow of the Etihad. Here’s Off The Post News’ full match report.

West Ham 0-0 Liverpool

Rosaire Longelo, Sam Ford, and substitute Idris Kane came close for the Hammers at home but they couldn’t Caoimhin Kelleher in the Liverpool goal. The goalless draw sees confirmation that Liverpool are out of contention for the national title while West Ham are level on points with bottom-placed Fulham.

Reading 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

5th and 6th placed met and drew 1-1. Blackburn have played just four games in the playoffs, two less than some teams, so could still finish as one of the top four teams in the country.

Next week:

27 April 2016: Blackburn Rovers vs West Ham
29 April 2016: Chelsea vs Liverpool
30 April 2016: Everton vs West Ham
30 April 2016: Manchester City vs Blackburn Rovers
30 April 2016: Reading vs Fulham

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GROUP 2

GROUP 2
POS	CLUB	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1	Middlesbrough U18	6	5	1	0	13	6	7	16
2	Leicester City U18	6	3	2	1	15	10	5	11
3	Aston Villa U18	6	3	2	1	10	8	2	11
4	Sunderland U18	6	3	1	2	10	7	3	10
5	Arsenal U18	6	2	1	3	12	11	1	7
6	Tottenham Hotspur U18	6	2	0	4	12	14	-2	6
7	West Bromwich Albion U18	6	1	2	3	8	12	-4	5
8	Wolverhampton Wanderers U18	6	0	1	5	9	21	-12	1

Middlesbrough are winners of Group 2. Sunderland remained the only possible challengers with a game-on-hand gainst Arsenal but the Gunners dispatched of them easily to hand the title to ‘Boro. They have looked favourites for a while now, yet to lose a game. They’ll hope to cap a good playoff run with a win against West Brom in the final game next Saturday.

Sunderland 1-4 Arsenal

A very comfortable victory for Arsenal confirmed Middlesbrough as winners of Group 2 in the 2016 U18 Premier League. Joel Asoro gave Sunderland the lead but Arsenal levelled through the prolific and consistent Edward Nketiah just before half-time. He scored in the 68th minute to take the lead and Reiss Nelson ensured the victory just moments later with a third. Donyell Malen capped it off with fourth, ten minutes from time.

Next week:

30 April 2016: Arsenal vs Tottenham
30 April 2016: Aston Villa vs Leicester City
30 April 2016: Middlesbrough vs West Brom
30 April 2016: Sunderland vs Wolves

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GROUP 3

Norwich City 2-3 Manchester United

It was a vital comeback for Tommy Martin’s Manchester United side to stay in the race for Group 3’s top spot. Norwich went in 2-0 leaders at half-time thanks to George Couzens and Kieran Higgs. George Tanner got United back into it immediately after the break and Aidan Barlow, consistently performing since being promoted to the under-18s side, leveled things up. Angel Gomes scored a dramatic late winner, with two minutes of normal time remaining, and United are now just two points off the top going into the final game.

Southampton 0-1 Derby County

Derby ensured they stayed in the race for Group 3’s top spot with a win against Southampton thanks to an 18th minute Cameron Cresswell own goal. They have better goal difference than both United and Stoke City, all three are on ten points.

Brighton & Hove Albion 3-3 Swansea City

It was the fourth 3-3 draw in Group 3 of the playoffs on Saturday morning. Liam Cullen scored twice for Swansea and Causso Darame once to mean both they and Brighton could win Group 3. A draw means that the race is extremely open, however. Brighton need to beat Stoke and hope Swansea lose to Newcastle to win Group 3.

Next week:
30 April 2016: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Stoke City
30 April 2016: Derby County vs Norwich City
30 April 2016: Manchester United vs Southampton
30 April 2016: Swansea City vs Newcastle United

The first leg of the 2016 FA Youth Cup final ended in a stalemate as last year’s finalists Manchester City and Chelsea drew 1-1 at the City Football Academy.

Both teams named strong lineups but were without several regulars. Manchester City weren’t able to call upon full back Demeaco Duhaney so schoolboy Joel Latibeaudiere stepped in at left back with Charlie Oliver shifting to the right hand side, whilst visitors Chelsea were without Tammy Abraham due to a slight injury so second choice striker Ike Ugbo (who funnily enough has 22 U18 league goals this season!) led the line.

City had only three midfielders compared to Chelsea’s five from their 4-2-3-1 formation. Defensive midfielder Jacob Davenport impressed early on making several good interceptions and battled well in the middle of the park with his usual tenacious playing style. Despite having him protecting the defence Chelsea dominated most of the first half and were dominant in attack, with playmaker Mason Mount pulling the strings and wingers Isaac Christie-Davies (not usually a winger, mind) and Dujon Sterling (Chelsea’s only schoolboy in the squad) causing problems for full-backs Latibeaudiere and Oliver.

Mason Mount sprints with the ball. (Credit: The FA)

It was definitely Chelsea who were the more attacking side. Despite City having talents such as Brahim Diaz, Lukas Nmecha and Manu Garcia the visitors looked to bombard City’s defence with a barrage of attacks especially from the wings, with Jay Dasilva and Trevoh Chalobah often overlapping early on. Both teams had equally solid defences, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Cameron Humphreys in the centre for the home side (both with first team involvement) and recent debutant Jake Clarke-Salter and Fikayo Tomori protecting Chelsea’s goal.

It would be Chelsea who would get the first real shot of the game with Ike Ugbo forcing Daniel Grimshaw into making a strong save just moments after Trevoh Chalobah’s looping cross was hooked away by Charlie Oliver. Then just a minute later Grimshaw would make another nice save again, this time reaching high to palm away a well-struck Mukhtar Ali effort from the edge of the box. Chelsea duo Ali and Ruben Sammut were beginning to control their area of the park, preventing the likes of Garcia and Rodney Kongolo to advance further into Chelsea territory. Sammut and Ali have made an impressive pairing in the centre of midfield this season for the Blues, with both playing quite an underrated part in the majority of Chelsea’s success.

City did have a chance to break just over ten minutes in though, with a stray Jake Clarke-Salter pass being seized by Brahim who sprinted forward only to be stopped in his tracks by the impressive Fikayo Tomori, who scored the first goal for Chelsea’s U19s as they won the UEFA Youth League just a few days ago against Paris Saint Germain. They were beginning to find it difficult to break the solid partnership of Tomori and Clarke-Salter but did come close again a few minutes later with Aaron Nemane’s cross finding Rodney Kongolo in the middle of the box, but the Dutch midfielder was driven out by the Chelsea defence.

Jay Dasilva’s cross-cum-shot would leave Daniel Grimshaw beaten at the other end but lucky for the home side’s custodian the ball would thud against the upright, with a City defender managing to clear away before Ike Ugbo or Mason Mount could pounce. Grimshaw would be called into action though, diving low to deny Dujon Sterling from taking the lead. Still at the other end City weren’t able to get any shots away as Kongolo almost threaded through Lukas Nmecha, City’s top scorer in the U18 league this season but nothing could come from it.

Nmecha, who had support from the flanks from Nemane and Brahim was doing his best to spearhead the City attack and almost fired home from an acute angle after working his way into a one-on-one situation with Nathan Baxter who made a good save to prevent him from scoring. Initially the backup goalkeeper for Chelsea’s U18s this term, Baxter seized his chance after Jared Thompson sustained an injury and he has taken it very well, putting in some impressive displays for the U18s and, despite not being called into action much in the first half, he would go on to make quite a few more stops.

Lukas Nmecha and Fikayo Tomori battle for the ball. (Credit: Matt West, Guardian/Shutterstock)

Both teams would fire over the bar before half time, with Brahim’s powerful effort going inches over Baxter’s crossbar and the lively Sterling looping his shot over the goal too. The first corner of the game would come surprisingly thirty minutes in after Aaron Nemane did well to wriggle his way into the box and force a corner. It was a good delivery from Jacob Davenport who found Tosin Adarabioyo but his header was poked behind by Fikayo Tomori giving City another chance to take the lead. Brahim played it short to Davenport this time whose cross was collected then booted downfield by Baxter.

Chelsea won their first corner when Isaac Christie-Davies (playing in the relatively unfamiliar position of winger) saw his corner hooked behind by powerful schoolboy Joel Latibeaudiere. The England U16 international looked solid in defence, making several good tackles but didn’t get as forward as much with his right-back colleague Charlie Oliver – unlike their opponents Jay Dasilva and Trevoh Chalobah who often bombed forward at every opportunity in the first half. The corner would come to nothing though, and so did a chance for Chelsea after Sterling played Ugbo through but was halted as he was alleged to have clipped Adarabioyo. Chalobah put in three crosses in the space of two minutes too but they didn’t result in a goal either with the score at half time 0-0.

Both teams started the second half incredibly lively and Chelsea would take the lead four minutes in after a great run from right-back Chalobah ended in the first year scholar, younger brother of Nathaniel who won this tournament six years ago, playing in a low cross to Mason Mount who swept home to give Chelsea the lead. It was a well deserved goal for Mount, who is still a first year scholar but has caught the eye of the U21 management with his impressive displays for the U18s this season. Mount is also an England U17 regular alongside his colleagues Chalobah, Sterling and Jared Thompson and will hope to travel with the team to the Euro U17 Championships in Azerbaijan in the coming months.

Mason Mount sweeps home for the opening goal (Credit: Chelsea FC)

Chelsea continued to push for a second goal, with Dasilva and Mount seeing their crosses headed away and City replied by bringing on striker Isaac Buckley for Manu Garcia, who was relatively invisible for most of the game. Garcia struggled with Sammut and Ali in the middle of the park but the lively Buckley started to cause plenty of problems, breaking forward at every opportunity and wriggling his way into tight spaces and almost giving City the lead. Chelsea brought on Kyle Scott for the impressive Ali and a minute later City came close to equalising, with Nmecha (under pressure from Tomori) saw his shot well saved by the excellent Baxter – who wasn’t called into action that much but when he was he made some great saves.

City’s resilience earned them an equaliser though, a well struck goal from Aaron Nemane. The winger picked up the ball on the left hand side before curling it sublimely past Nathan Baxter into the top corner. Both teams were getting more desperate now, with the visitors bringing on talented attacking midfielder Jacob Maddox for Ugbo who looked impressive leading the line but was denied often by the reflexes of Daniel Grimshaw. Josh Grant was brought on for Trevoh Chalobah at right back who had an impressive game and Grant made an instant impact, involving himself in a lovely attacking move that ended with Jay Dasilva’s shot going wide of the post. Grant looked solid defensively too, blocking a cross from Nemane and making a good challenge to deny City from kickstarting a counter attack.

Aaron Nemane is congratulated by his teammates. (Credit: Getty)

Dujon Sterling’s drilled effort was stopped by Grimshaw before City brought on Marcus Wood and Jadon Sancho on for Joel Latibeaudiere and Aaron Nemane, but it turned out that neither team would grab a winner before the second leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Both teams ultimately battled well in the second half with Chelsea dominating most of the game but City looked superior in patches. Chelsea will hope to have Tammy Abraham back for Wednesday’s game but Ike Ugbo can still fill in, with the hard working striker creating a couple of chances earlier in the game too. It was a very entertaining second half, and the second leg will no doubt be as similar.

Manchester City: Daniel Grimshaw, Joel Latibeaudiere (Marcus Wood 88), Tosin Adarabioyo (c), Cameron Humphreys, Charlie Oliver, Jacob Davenport, Rodney Kongolo, Manu Garcia (Isaac Buckley 59), Aaron Nemane (Jadon Sancho 90+1), Lukas Nmecha, Brahim Diaz.

Unused subs – Kjetil Haug (GK), Tom Dele-Bashiru.

Chelsea: Nathan Baxter, Jay Dasilva, Fikayo Tomori, Jake Clarke-Salter (c), Trevoh Chalobah (Josh Grant 77), Ruben Sammut, Mukhtar Ali (Kyle Scott 61), Isaac Christie-Davies, Mason Mount, Dujon Sterling, Ike Ugbo (Jacob Maddox 70)

Unused subs – Jared Thompson (GK), Charlie Wakefield.

The academy has not been the most pressing concern this season for Crystal Palace, but they are right to acknowledge talented players when they come along.

And come along one has. The 17-year-old Luke Dreher, a central midfielder capable of making surging runs, or defence-splitting passes, has been named on the bench for the Eagles’ Premier League match away at Manchester United.

The opportunity for a young player to travel with the squad to a game is a coveted one, and not one which is given to anyone. The player must have the right levels of commitment, talent and understanding of the game for it to even be a consideration. Dreher has all three in abundance.

Still eligible for the U18 side, he has been a regular for the U21s this season, scoring several goals and contributing assists since his debut against rivals Millwall at the New Den back in October in very changeable conditions, from blazing sunshine to heavy hailstones.

The teenager didn’t look out of place, but Palace were poor and succumbed to a heavy defeat. Nonetheless, he and Aaron Bissaka were the two stand-out performers, and immediately it was clear Dreher would remain in the U21 side for the rest of the season.

A local boy, he joined Palace at the age of eight, having spent time with Carshalton Athletic and also with Fulham and Chelsea’s development centres, before eventually being spotted by Palace.

The long-serving youngster was part of a strong intake of scholars last season, and has gone from strength to strength since. His home debut for the U18 side saw him earn a last minute penalty within minutes of coming off the substitute’s bench against Charlton Athletic.

He recently spoke to eagles.cpfc.co.uk to reveal that the transition from U18 football to U21 had been difficult to begin with, but that is understandable given the higher tempo and the higher average age of players involved.

Dreher likes to get forward with the ball and influence games with the ball at his feet, his passing accuracy and ability is a strong attribute and he has good vision.

Alan Pardew has clearly been impressed by the efforts shown by the midfielder who has stepped up to train with the first-team squad on a frequent basis this season. Understandably he has weaknesses, but they have been addressed as the year has progressed, with the former Whitgift School pupil’s defensive capabilities improving.

Should he bulk up and gain muscle over the close season, a loan to a Football League club is likely next season, although he is almost certain to begin the season with the U21s and training regularly with the first team.

Whilst it is too early to say with any degree of certainty how Dreher’s future will pan out, it does look promising, and all the signs are that he will be an excellent player, provided he continues his progression and works hard. In time, there is no reason why he will not return to Old Trafford and set foot on the pitch.

England’s young players took centre stage at the Football League Awards in Manchester last night.
Leeds United’s Lewis Cook won the Football League’s Young Player of the Year, beating Fulhams’s Moussa Dembele and Rico Henry of Walsall.

Lewis Cook has scored two goals this season (Pic: The Score)

Cook, an England U18 international has had an impressing season in the heart of the Leeds midfield, providing a bright spark in what has been a turbulent season for the club both on and off the pitch.

His moment of the season came against Fulham in February when he scored a 35-yard screamer that arrowed into the top corner.
He follows in the footsteps of Dele Alli who won last season’s award, and only time will tell to see if Cook can ascend at the same rate as last year’s winner.
Meanwhile, Oxford United talisman Kemar Roofe won the League Two Player of the Year.

The 23 year-old beat completion from Ricky Holmes and Matty Taylor to win the award.

Roofe was imperious form, especially in the first half of the season, playing a key role as Oxford knocked out higher-league opposition (Brentford, and most notably Swansea City) in the League and FA Cups respectively.

In addition to aiding Oxford’s promotion push, the former OTPN Player of the Week was an integral figure in his side’s run to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final last month.
Similarly, 22-year old Bradley Dack won the League One Player of the Year.

The Gillingham midfielder has scored 10 goals this season, and has been been a key member of Gillingham’s promotion push to the Championship.

The LFE apprentices were also recognised at the awards, with Charlton’s Ademola Lookman winning the Championship award.
Barnsley’s James Bree won the League One award, while Ben Godfrey of York City won the award for League Two.

The U18 Premier League season is drawing to a close with most teams in all three groups having just one or two games remaining. The one team that has more is favourites for the national title, Manchester City. Middlesbrough lead Group 2 in comfort and it is incredibly tight in Group 3.

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GROUP 1

GROUP 1
POS	CLUB	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1	Man City U18	4	4	0	0	10	3	7	12
2	Chelsea U18	5	3	1	1	14	8	6	10
3	Everton U18	5	3	0	2	6	8	-2	9
4	Liverpool U18	5	2	0	3	11	9	2	6
5	Reading U18	5	1	1	3	7	10	-3	4
6	Fulham U18	5	1	1	3	7	13	-6	4
7	Blackburn U18	3	1	0	2	4	5	-1	3
8	West Ham U18	4	0	3	1	5	8	-3	3

City continue to be favourites for the national title. They now sit two points above Chelsea, and three above Everton, with a game-in-hand.

Fulham 2-3 Everton

A missed penalty from Nathan Broadhead didn’t matter for Everton as they got the win needed to keep them in the race for the national title, although Manchester City are clear favourites. Shayne Lavery scored twice and James Yates once at Motspur Park. Ryan Sessegnon and Stephen Humphrys both scored for the home side, now sixth and the lowest positioned of teams who have played five times.

Liverpool 0-2 Manchester City

City took a big step towards the national title with a comfortable victory against Liverpool. Manu Garcia scored their opener, curling it wonderfully in the first half. Lukas Nmecha, who has consistently been impressive this season, made it two in the second half. The Liverpool goalkeeper got a hand to his shot after Brahim Diaz played Nmecha through.

West Ham United 1-1 Reading

Anthony Scully’s second half equaliser means Reading and West Ham both remained near the bottom, although the latter have a game-in-hand. Sam Smith scored for 5th placed Reading after twenty minutes.

Next week:
23 April 2016: Everton vs Manchester City

23 April 2016: West Ham vs Liverpool

23 April 2016: Reading vs Blackburn Rovers

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GROUP 2

GROUP 2
POS	CLUB	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1	Middlesbrough U18	6	5	1	0	13	6	7	16
2	Aston Villa U18	6	3	2	1	10	8	2	11
3	Sunderland U18	5	3	1	1	9	3	6	10
4	Leicester U18	6	2	3	1	13	9	4	9
5	Spurs U18	6	2	0	4	12	14	-2	6
6	Arsenal U18	5	1	2	2	7	8	-1	5
7	West Brom U18	6	1	2	3	8	12	-4	5
8	Wolves U18	6	0	1	5	9	21	-12	1

Middlesbrough remain top, in similar comfort to Manchester City in Group 1. They are five points ahead after six games and are yet to lose.

Arsenal 1-2 Leicester City

Edward Nketiah scored his 19th goal of the season for Arsenal but a first under-18 goal for under-16 defender Sim Thandi and the winner from Kairo Mitchell continued Leicester’s fine goalscoring form, with 13 goals in six games.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Aston Villa

While their senior side are in turmoil after relegation to the Championship, Aston Villa’s under-18 side are in contention for the top spot in Group 2. Spurs’ Christian Maghoma scored an own goal just after half-time to leave Tottenham with their fourth loss of the campaign. Spurs have been inconsistent in Group 2, although they have scored 12 times, 11 of those came in just two games, their only two wins.

West Bromwich Albion 1-4 Sunderland

More to come…

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-3 Middlesbrough

Nicu Carnat gave Wolves a 35th-minute opener at home and under-16 midfielder Sam Phillips doubled up before half-time. Yet Boro came back, scoring all three goals in the space of 10 minutes, to maintain their top spot, that is increasingly comfortable. Only two wins for Sunderland, including their game-in-hand with Arsenal, and a loss for Middlesbrough will see them not win Group 2. Meanwhile, Wolves confirmed their season as ending at the bottom of Group 2.

Next week:

23 April 2016: Sunderland vs Arsenal

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GROUP 3

GROUP 3
POS	CLUB	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1	Swansea U18	5	3	2	0	12	9	3	11
2	Brighton U18	5	3	1	1	13	9	4	10
3	Stoke U18	6	3	1	2	11	10	1	10
4	Derby U18	5	2	1	2	14	9	5	7
5	Man Utd U18	5	2	1	2	13	10	3	7
6	Southampton U18	4	1	2	1	8	7	1	5
7	Newcastle U18	5	1	1	3	5	15	-10	4
8	Norwich U18	5	0	1	4	6	13	-7	1

With four teams playing this weekend, it remains incredibly tight at the top of Group 3. Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Stoke City, Derby County and Manchester United, the top five, could all still finish top.

Derby County 3-4 Swansea City

It was a cracker as these two teams played off, with the winner moving top, and Jordan Garrick scored in added time to win it for Swansea. Kellan Gordon gave Derby the lead within the opening ten minutes but the Swans were in front by 22 minutes, goals from Garrick and Liam Cullen. Derby’s Cameron Cresswell made it 2-2 after just 24 minutes. Before half-time, the Rams were in front thanks to Luke Thomas.

Stoke City 1-0 Southampton

Hakim Abdallah, who has just moved to Stoke, away from his home country France, scored the only goal to keep them with a chance of the top spot in Group 3. Early on, Abdallah drove strongly forward on the right edge of the box before placing a shot perfectly into the left side netting past Saints’ keeper Adam Parkes.

Next week:

22 April 2016: Southampton vs Derby County
22 April 2016: Norwich City vs Manchester United
23 April 2016: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Swansea City