Match ends, Plymouth Argyle 5, Crystal Palace U21 1.
90'
Full-time
Not to be tonight in Plymouth, but proud of the effort. Despite a spirited effort and a number of chances created, two contentious first-half goals left Darren Powell’s side with a mountain to climb against an experienced Pilgrims outfit - unlucky, lads!
90'
Substitution
64Amari
Sealeyoff
75Ajean-Ray
Greaveson
84'
Plymouth Argyle Goal
5 - 1
Goal!
27Aribim
Pepple
Goal! Plymouth Argyle 5, Crystal Palace U21 1. Aribim Pepple (Plymouth Argyle) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the top left corner. Assisted by Seb Campbell.
82'
Substitution
62Euan
Danaheroff
50Kai-Reece
Adams-Collmanon
77'
PALACE GO CLOSE AGAIN...
...Sealey squares the ball across the face of goal and Martin meets it first time, but the Plymouth ‘keeper gets across to tip it over!
66'
Plymouth Argyle Goal
4 - 1
Goal!
38Seb
Campbell
Goal! Plymouth Argyle 4, Crystal Palace U21 1. Seb Campbell (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.
65'
A CRUEL FOURTH...
...Lee produces a brilliant save to keep out Campbell’s powerful strike from the edge of the area, but the ball loops up and over the Palace ‘keeper. Fasida races back and gets there, but can’t quite hook it off the line.
60'
Substitution
24Caleb
Robertsoff
19Tyreeq
Bakinsonon
60'
Substitution
8Joe
Edwardsoff
5Julio
Pleguezueloon
59'
Substitution
17Caleb
Wattsoff
27Aribim
Peppleon
57'
Martin grabs one back...
Sealey’s delivery from the left finds Nascimento, whose miscued header loops up for Martin to nod past the diving Storer!!!
57'
Crystal Palace U21 Goal!
3 - 1
Goal!
77Donte
Martin
Goal! Plymouth Argyle 3, Crystal Palace U21 1. Donte Martin (Crystal Palace U21) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Adler Nascimento.
54'
Yellow Card
Sealey(64)
Amari Sealey (Crystal Palace U21) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
53'
HAT-TRICK DENIED...
..Watts thinks he has his third when Harding’s whipped cross picks him out, but after poking the ball past Lee one-on-one, the flag finally goes up for offside. No hat-trick for the Plymouth forward!
48'
POSITIVE START FROM PALACE...
...and Nascimento goes close straight away, curling an effort towards goal that Storer gathers comfortably. The Young Eagles are on the front foot.
45'
HALF-TIME: 3-0
...three goals down at the interval, with the scoreline harsh on a Palace side that has grown into the contest. Plymouth have shown quality in both boxes, while two contentious goals have most definitely added to the Young Eagles’ frustration.
45'
Substitution
58Chuks
Okolioff
72Jacob
Fasidaon
45'
Substitution
38Caleb
Kporhaoff
65Nathanael
James Kalemboon
45'
Substitution
3Jack
MacKenzieoff
45Wes
Hardingon
first-half-ends
First Half ends, Plymouth Argyle 3, Crystal Palace U21 0.
37'
ANOTHER FRUSTRATION FOR PALACE...
...Watts receives the ball to the left of the area, cuts inside and sees his deflected effort beat a diving Lee. Palace appeal for offside once again, with the forward appearing to be in an offside position when the pass is played through, but the goal somehow stands.
37'
Plymouth Argyle Goal
3 - 0
Goal!
17Caleb
Watts
Goal! Plymouth Argyle 3, Crystal Palace U21 0. Caleb Watts (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Jared Rendle.
34'
Substitution
53Ben
Caseyoff
77Donte
Martinon
33'
Substitution
18Owen
Osenioff
29Matthew
Sorinolaon
30'
SO CLOSE FOR CASEY...
...Williams clips a perfectly weighted lofted pass into the box, but Casey can’t quite get there before Storer races off his line to clear.
26'
PLYMOUTH DOUBLE THEIR LEAD...
...Caleb Watts is threaded through and beats Lee to the ball, slotting home. Palace appeal for offside, with Watts’ fellow forward seemingly interfering with play, but the goal stands.
26'
Plymouth Argyle Goal
2 - 0
Goal!
17Caleb
Watts
Goal! Plymouth Argyle 2, Crystal Palace U21 0. Caleb Watts (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Owen Oseni.
19'
Best chance yet for Palace...
...Gibbard floats a teasing delivery towards the back post, where Kporha arrives to sting the palms of the Plymouth ‘keeper!
11'
Plymouth Argyle Goal
1 - 0
Goal!
10Xavier
Amaechi
Goal! Plymouth Argyle 1, Crystal Palace U21 0. Xavier Amaechi (Plymouth Argyle) left footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Seb Campbell.
10'
YOU DON’T STOP THOSE...
...Xavier Amaechi unleashes a spectacular strike from range which flies beyond a diving Lee. After a bright start from Palace, the pendulum has swung, and the Young Eagles are now forced to withstand a flurry of shots and crosses as Plymouth look to capitalise on their momentum.
8'
LEE ALERT...
...the Palace ‘keeper races out to clear an underhit back pass, then moments later produces an excellent save to deny Oseni from a tight angle.
4'
GOOD START FROM PALACE...
...as the Young Eagles enjoy the lion’s share of possession and move the ball around nicely. Most of the play is in Plymouth territory, with Palace patiently probing for an opening.
The teams are out!
Here we go! Both sides emerge from the tunnel at Home Park and line up for the final handshakes. One last look around the stadium, then it’s time for business. Come on, Palace!
Warm-ups complete…
That’s the final whistle on the warm-up! The Eagles head back down the tunnel as we edge ever closer to kick-off.
How to follow
How to follow tonight's EFL Trophy clash at Plymouth!
The two sides are out at Home Park and putting the finishing touches to their preparations. The goalkeepers are working through their drills, while the outfielders get stretched and ready for kick-off!
Team news!
Three changes for Palace, with Dean Benamar and Taha Majni away on international duty and George King injured. Chuks Okoli, Amaari Sealey and Adler Nascimento come into the XI, with Okoli returning to the back three and Joe Gibbard and Caleb Kporha starting at wing-back. Sealey and Nascimento flank Benji Casey in attack.
Powell previews Plymouth
Watch the Blackburn highlights!
Unbeaten run ended
Palace will be looking to bounce back tonight after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Blackburn ended their unbeaten start to 2026/27. The Young Eagles dominated large spells but were ultimately edged out at Sutton, with Joe Gibbard going closest to finding a late equaliser.
A reminder…
Every EFL Trophy fixture is available to watch live on Sky Sports+. You can also follow every kick here on the Official Palace App and Match Centre, with live updates from Home Park on our Academy X account. There will also be reaction and highlights on Palace TV+!
Hear from local lad Harry Lee!
What is the EFL Trophy?
The EFL Trophy brings together 48 League One and League Two clubs with 16 Category One academies, including Palace. The 64 teams are split into 16 groups, with the top two from each section progressing to the knockout stages.
Watch the previous meeting!
Previous meeting
Did you know that the sides last met in this competition in 2022/23, when Plymouth edged a 1-0 victory at Home Park.
Match Preview
U21s preview: Palace bid to bolster EFL Trophy knockout hopes
Everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s EFL Trophy clash with Plymouth is in our bumper preview.
Watch the highlights from our EFL Trophy-opening win over Swindon!
Last time out…
The Young Eagles came from behind to beat Swindon 2-1 in their opening group game. Antwoine Hackford gave the hosts the lead, but Caleb Kporha levelled in stoppage time before Seb Williams completed the turnaround with a superb 25-yard finish.
Permutations…
How can Palace qualify for the EFL Trophy knockouts?
Find out how Darren Powell’s side can qualify for the EFL Trophy knockouts for the first time ever tonight!
First, we need to beat Plymouth, taking us to six points with one game left against Newport. Then, we need Newport and Swindon to draw. Even with the bonus point, Swindon couldn’t catch us – while Newport and Plymouth can’t both win their remaining games to finish above us. That would guarantee a top two finish and a place in the knockout stages!
Good evening!
A very warm welcome to Home Park as the Young Eagles continue their EFL Trophy campaign against League One side Plymouth Argyle. We’ll bring you all the build-up and live action throughout the evening. Come on, Palace!