SAM Joel bagged a brace as Blackburn Rovers Academy returned to winning ways in the U18s Premier League with a 4-2 victory at Manchester United.

Joel curled home a free kick to open the scoring in the 29th minute before Modou Cham doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time with a well-taken finish.

United, who lost December’s reverse clash between the sides, halved the deficit shortly after the start of the second half.

But David Lowe’s side restored their two-goal advantage in the 55th minute with an excellent strike from Luke Wall.

The Carrington hosts were then reduced to 10 men.

That, however, did not stop them from reducing the arrears once more with a long-range shot that just got the better of debutant goalkeeper Andrew Fisher.

But Rovers ensured they completed a double over United when Joel netted for the second time.