Khayon Edwards reached double figures for goals with a hat-trick in Arsenal’s 3-0 u18 win over Norwich City on Saturday morning.

18-year-old striker Khayon Edwards got the game off to a fast start with a couple of goals in the opening 15 minutes. After seven goals in his first six u18 games of the season in all competitions, that wasn’t surprising.

First, Edwards converted a cross from James Sweet on the right-hand side to open the scoring. Then, he latched onto a through ball from Marcelo Flores before rounding the goalkeeper and doubling the score.

10 minutes later, Edwards almost had a hat-trick, with Norwich’s Reece Trueman forced into a good block to prevent a third goal.

Amario Cozier-Duberry went close next, fresh from his call-up for the England u17s. The youngster drove a shot just past the post in the 33rd minute.

Norwich had a headed chance in the 45th minute, but that was their only opportunity in a dominant half from Arsenal.

The away side started the second period in much the same way, with Flores firing a shot over the bar.

Norwich did push to get back into the game after that, having their best chance of the match so far in the 60th-minute after a lay-off inside the box. Joe Duffy put his effort just wide. Ken Aboh and Ola Okeowo also put chances off target in the next 10 minutes or so.

But it wasn’t to be for them, and Edwards completed his hat-trick with a close-range volley with just over a quarter of an hour left. From there, it was a comfortable ride to the final whistle and another three points in the bag.

The result temporarily took the Arsenal u18s to the top of the table, but Fulham were quick to reclaim the spot with victory over Birmingham City. They sit one point clear of Arsenal.

One other nice piece of news from the game was a first inclusion for Michal Rosiak. The u16 midfielder made the bench.

Of course, the headlines go to Khayon Edwards. He now has 10 goals and an assist in his seven appearances between the u18 Premier League and the u18 Premier League Cup.

Edwards may well get a chance up front for the u23s over the international break, with Folarin Balogun and Mika Biereth away, and it will be well deserved.

Arsenal u18 lineup vs Norwich City

Mitchell, Ibrahim, Quamina, Robinson, Foran, Sweet, Sagoe Jr, Cozier-Duberry, Bandeira, Flores, Edwards

Substitutes

Kovacevic, Gower (for Edwards, 87), Rosiak, Lewis-Skelly, Benjamin