Wonder goal? No, I just whacked it, says Powell

Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis admitted teenage star Nick Powell’s Wembley wonder-goal was probably his parting gift to the club.

The 18-year-old looks destined for the top flight this summer with Manchester United believed to be leading the race for his signature.

And Powell showed why Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to splash around £4m on him with a stunning strike to put Crewe on their way to promotion back to League One with a 2-0 play-off final win over Cheltenham.

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Davis said: “We’ve not had any solid offers but I think it will come. Next week we may see something develop.”

Assuming Powell does move on, he gave Crewe the perfect leaving present in the 15th minute.

Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, his first touch was sublime, shifting the ball from his right foot to his left while escaping the attention of two defenders.

His second was simply stunning, a dipping volley which flew over Cheltenham goalkeeper Scott Brown and into the corner of the net.

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“I’ve said all season he’s a huge talent,” added Davis. “He’s a special player who produces special things; he’s a big-game player. He’s done that many times this season and that was his 16th goal.

“I think he can go to the Premier League, he’s a very capable lad.”

Powell himself was modest about his cracker, claiming “I just whacked it to be honest.”

He added: “I just want to enjoy (last night) with the boys and celebrate, I’m not concentrating on the future.”

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Cheltenham will look back on a host of missed chances to equalise, with Jeff Goulding rattling the crossbar moments after Powell struck.

They were also denied by goal-line clearances from Powell and Ashley Westwood, and goalkeeper Steve Phillips kept Kaid Mohamed at bay after the break.

Crewe made sure of victory eight minutes from time when Byron Moore exchanged passes with AJ Leitch-Smith before slotting home.