Five-star Palace survive a late Reading fightback to make it three wins on the bounce! The Young Eagles were irresistible in the first half, and despite a nervy finish with just nine men, Alonso’s side get the job done in a thrilling 5-3 victory!

From the resulting free-kick in a dangerous position, Lucca Benetton produces a superb diving stop to turn the effort around the post. A massive moment for Palace!

The pressure continues to mount on the Young Eagles, who suffer another blow as Mulvenna is shown a red card, leaving Alonso’s side with just nine players to see out the closing stages.

The momentum swings firmly in the visitors’ favour as Agyekum sparks a fightback, latching onto a free-kick that fortuitously deflects into his path before smashing home from close range. Ethan Heywood then strikes just minutes later to cut the deficit to two, with five minutes remaining.

Palace are down to 10 men as Owoade is shown a straight red for denying Henry Agyekum a goalscoring opportunity, bringing down the Reading forward as the last defender.

With the visitors continuing to battle, Javier Alonso turns to his bench for fresh attacking impetus, introducing Toby Williams and Kayden Moses in place of hat-trick hero Martin and Fasida.

Reading threaten again as a brief, pinball-like scramble unfolds inside the Palace penalty area, but Lucca Benetton stays alert to deny Agyekum at the near post.

The Young Eagles have reasserted themselves, dominating possession and territory as they look to carve out further openings... they are yet to test the 'keeper.

The visitors pull one back shortly after the restart, with Fewings rising to head home from an outswinging corner. Reading come out with renewed attacking intent and enjoy a spell on the front foot, but Palace are beginning to wrestle back control.

That's the half-time whistle, and what a first 45 minutes from Javier Alonso's side! Palace head into the break with a commanding five-goal lead after a scintillating, ruthless attacking display. Simply superb!

There's still time for one more before the break! Donte Martin finds Jamar Lee in the right channel, and the forward threads a perfectly weighted pass through to Fasida, whose run in behind is timed to perfection. One-on-one, he keeps his cool and slots past the onrushing goalkeeper!

Makai Bernard-Ferguson cuts inside from the right and makes room to shoot, but a deflection sends his effort grazing the outside of the post! Palace aren't letting up.

Jamar Lee fizzes a superb pass forward from deep that is diverted into the path of Martin and from 20 yards out the striker manages to find the far corner!

Makai Bernard-Ferguson combines with Martin before composing himself just inside the area and finding the far corner brilliantly!

A quick-fire brace for Donte Martin! Makai Bernard-Ferguson shifts the ball onto his right foot and floats a lovely delivery towards the back post, where Martin rises to head home via the underside of the bar!

After Palace enjoy the better of the opening exchanges, the visitors begin to probe Alonso’s backline. Kayden Bancey flashes a dangerous delivery across the face of goal, but Christian Cary can't keep his effort down at the far post. A warning for the Young Eagles!

Donte Martin miscues a close-range volley at the back post before Jamar Lee drags a long-range effort wide. Two openings for the Young Eagles!

Palace are looking to make things happen down the flanks, with Owoade sending a series of crosses into the box. Neither side has fashioned a clear-cut chance just yet, though.

The two sides are out on the pitch, putting the final touches to their preparations. The goalkeepers are working through their drills, the outfield players are stretching, and kick-off is getting closer...

Two changes for the Young Eagles, as Alfie Mulvenna and Makai Bernard-Ferguson come into the starting XI in place of Remi Shittu and Raihaan Anderson.

Two familiar faces could feature against the Young Eagles, with Academy players Jayden McDonald and Aidan Morgan currently on trial at Reading.

McDonald has already made four appearances for the Royals, scoring in their 3-2 victory over Southampton.

Alonso’s side are beginning to find their stride after a difficult start to the campaign, with recent results lifting the Young Eagles to 12th in the U18 Premier League South, level on seven points with West Bromwich Albion.

Last weekend, Palace ran riot at Ipswich, with Donte Martin’s hat-trick inspiring an emphatic 6-2 victory.

The Young Eagles raced into a three-goal lead inside 16 minutes, with Martin and Remi Shittu on target, before Martin completed his treble and Hugo Bull added a fifth before half-time.

Makai Bernard-Ferguson marked his return from injury with a sixth shortly before the hour, as Palace made it back-to-back victories in all competitions.

Palace beat Reading 2-0 at the Academy at the start of last season, but the standout meeting came in April, when Mylo Bernard’s hat-trick inspired a superb 4-2 comeback victory at Bearwood Park.

The Young Eagles compete in the U18 Premier League South, the top level of youth football for Category One academies in England.

The competition features 16 clubs, with Palace playing 30 matches against their 15 southern opponents, home and away.

At the end of the campaign, the northern and southern section winners meet to decide the national champions.

Out come the two sides to line up for the handshakes. One last look around the Academy... and we’re nearly ready to go!

COME ON, PALACE!

That’s the warm-up done! The Eagles head back inside to make their final preparations as we count down to kick-off.

... and welcome to the Crystal Palace Academy, where our Under-18s take on Reading in Premier League South action!

The Young Eagles are in fine form after back-to-back wins, including last weekend’s emphatic 6-2 victory at Ipswich Town. Can Javier Alonso’s side make it three wins on the bounce?

Kick-off is at 11:30 BST. Come on, Palace!