Report: Dons 6-1 Crewe Alexandra
Dele Alli inspired the Dons to a sensational 6-1 success over Crewe Alexandra at stadiummk.
The 18-year-old rounded off a memorable few days with a hat-trick and a stunning assist for Benik Afobe, who added to his tally, as did fellow striker Will Grigg. Ben Reeves completed the scoring with a first-class effort late on.
Karl Robinson recalled Dean Bowditch to the starting XI at the expense of Samir Carruthers, who dropped to the bench.
The men from MK1 got off to the best possible start when Alli, buoyed by signing a new contract and winning the Football League Young Player of the Month Award, expertly swept home from 15 yards on three minutes after a superb interception and pass from Darren Potter.
It could, and it probably should, have been 2-0 less than two minutes later but Reeves scuffed his 15-yard shot following good play down the left by Dean Lewington and Bowditch.
Instead, it was 1-1 on six minutes when Kyle McFadzean headed Matt Tootle’s hopeful cross into his own net with David Martin stranded.
Brilliant play by Daniel Powell almost put the Dons back in front, but neither Grigg nor Bowditch could meet the winger’s wicked cross on 13 minutes.
Grigg did get a decisive touch on the quarter-hour when he poked home Bowditch’s dangerous corner from the left, scoring his fifth goal of the season in the process.
The Northern Ireland international was denied a second by the legs of Ben Garratt just past the midway point of the first half following purposeful play Alli, who robbed Crewe of possession and then played his team-mate in.
Marcus Haber shot straight down the throat of Martin on a rare foray forward for the Railywaymen shortly afterwards, before Grigg headed Reeves’ left-wing cross on to Barrett’s bar as the Dons continued to look threatening on every attack.
With the hosts so dominant, unsurprisingly their next chance came along very quickly, this time Bowditch directing Lewington’s delivery past the right-hand post.
A moment of magic from Reeves almost brought about a deserved third with 10 minutes to go before the break, but his curling 25-yard effort went inches past the top left-hand corner.
Robinson’s men were relentless as they kept on pushing for a third as half-time approached, with Reeves and Bowditch forcing Barrett into smart saves.
Their incessant pressure was rewarded two minutes into the second half, Alli brilliantly getting above his man to tower a header past Barrett from Reeves’ pinpoint cross.
After a surging run, Powell struck the post less than 60 seconds later as the Dons went within inches of a fourth goal. He then demonstrated the defensive side of his game on 57 minutes, expertly winning the ball back from Vadaine Oliver before drawing a free-kick. It was proving to be another excellent display from the Academy graduate.
Martin was called into action for the first time in a while just past the hour mark, comfortably tipping substitute Febian Brandy’s 25-yard free-kick over the top.
He was forced into a far better save on 68 minutes when he palmed away Thierry Audel’s fierce strike from inside the Dons’ area.
Despite having already scored two, Alli saved his best moment of the match for the 70th minute when he provided a stunning 50-yard pass to set up substitute Benik Afobe, who held off the challenge from Audel before coolly slotting past Barrett for his seventh goal of the season. The pair then celebrated with a newly-crafted dance!
Anthony Grant almost reduced the arrears on 83 minutes, but his rasping 30-yard drive whistled past Martin’s left-hand post.
There was still time for Alli to ensure he went home with the matchball – the second time in his short career - firing low under Barrett after being picked out with a brilliant backheel from substitute Tom Hitchcock. Is there anything this boy can’t do?!
Reeves completed the rout by curling home a sumptuous effort from inside the area in the 90th minute.
Starting XI: Martin; Baldock (Spence 75), Lewington (c), Kay, McFadzean; Potter, Alli; Powell, Reeves, Bowditch (Hitchcock 82); Grigg (Afobe 59).
Unused subs: McLoughlin, Flanagan, Randall, Carruthers.
Goals: Alli (3, 48 & 84), Grigg (16), Afobe (70), Reeves (90).
Attendance: 7,049 (244 Crewe fans)
The 18-year-old rounded off a memorable few days with a hat-trick and a stunning assist for Benik Afobe, who added to his tally, as did fellow striker Will Grigg. Ben Reeves completed the scoring with a first-class effort late on.
Karl Robinson recalled Dean Bowditch to the starting XI at the expense of Samir Carruthers, who dropped to the bench.
The men from MK1 got off to the best possible start when Alli, buoyed by signing a new contract and winning the Football League Young Player of the Month Award, expertly swept home from 15 yards on three minutes after a superb interception and pass from Darren Potter.
It could, and it probably should, have been 2-0 less than two minutes later but Reeves scuffed his 15-yard shot following good play down the left by Dean Lewington and Bowditch.
Instead, it was 1-1 on six minutes when Kyle McFadzean headed Matt Tootle’s hopeful cross into his own net with David Martin stranded.
Brilliant play by Daniel Powell almost put the Dons back in front, but neither Grigg nor Bowditch could meet the winger’s wicked cross on 13 minutes.
Grigg did get a decisive touch on the quarter-hour when he poked home Bowditch’s dangerous corner from the left, scoring his fifth goal of the season in the process.
The Northern Ireland international was denied a second by the legs of Ben Garratt just past the midway point of the first half following purposeful play Alli, who robbed Crewe of possession and then played his team-mate in.
Marcus Haber shot straight down the throat of Martin on a rare foray forward for the Railywaymen shortly afterwards, before Grigg headed Reeves’ left-wing cross on to Barrett’s bar as the Dons continued to look threatening on every attack.
With the hosts so dominant, unsurprisingly their next chance came along very quickly, this time Bowditch directing Lewington’s delivery past the right-hand post.
A moment of magic from Reeves almost brought about a deserved third with 10 minutes to go before the break, but his curling 25-yard effort went inches past the top left-hand corner.
Robinson’s men were relentless as they kept on pushing for a third as half-time approached, with Reeves and Bowditch forcing Barrett into smart saves.
Their incessant pressure was rewarded two minutes into the second half, Alli brilliantly getting above his man to tower a header past Barrett from Reeves’ pinpoint cross.
After a surging run, Powell struck the post less than 60 seconds later as the Dons went within inches of a fourth goal. He then demonstrated the defensive side of his game on 57 minutes, expertly winning the ball back from Vadaine Oliver before drawing a free-kick. It was proving to be another excellent display from the Academy graduate.
Martin was called into action for the first time in a while just past the hour mark, comfortably tipping substitute Febian Brandy’s 25-yard free-kick over the top.
He was forced into a far better save on 68 minutes when he palmed away Thierry Audel’s fierce strike from inside the Dons’ area.
Despite having already scored two, Alli saved his best moment of the match for the 70th minute when he provided a stunning 50-yard pass to set up substitute Benik Afobe, who held off the challenge from Audel before coolly slotting past Barrett for his seventh goal of the season. The pair then celebrated with a newly-crafted dance!
Anthony Grant almost reduced the arrears on 83 minutes, but his rasping 30-yard drive whistled past Martin’s left-hand post.
There was still time for Alli to ensure he went home with the matchball – the second time in his short career - firing low under Barrett after being picked out with a brilliant backheel from substitute Tom Hitchcock. Is there anything this boy can’t do?!
Reeves completed the rout by curling home a sumptuous effort from inside the area in the 90th minute.
Starting XI: Martin; Baldock (Spence 75), Lewington (c), Kay, McFadzean; Potter, Alli; Powell, Reeves, Bowditch (Hitchcock 82); Grigg (Afobe 59).
Unused subs: McLoughlin, Flanagan, Randall, Carruthers.
Goals: Alli (3, 48 & 84), Grigg (16), Afobe (70), Reeves (90).
Attendance: 7,049 (244 Crewe fans)
