We gave our all in this highly-anticipated London derby at Cobham but Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur had to settle for a point apiece after an end-to-end 3-3 draw on Saturday morning.
London derbies are always intense and this Under-18s match was no different. The game was full of action from start to finish.
The visitors took the lead early with Reiss Elliott-Parris scoring just five minutes into the game and he then doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark.
However, our top scorer Sol Gordon responded with a fine finish five minutes later, netting his tenth goal of the 2024/25 season.
We equalised through Ollie Harrison’s strong penalty after Gordon was fouled by Jun’ai Byfield in the area and then just before half-time, schoolboy Reggie Walsh put us ahead with a powerful strike into the top corner to make it 3-2.
In the second half, when it looked like we were in control, Ellis Lehane connected with a looping cross to head the ball past Hudson Sands to level the score with just under 20 minutes remaining.
Quick start
We knew this London derby would be a fiery encounter and it didn’t disappoint. Chelsea were quickly forced back into our half, with Tottenham's striker Elliott-Parris proving a threat as he charged into the penalty box aggressively. Luckily our defensive duo, Lewi Richards and Olutayo Subuloye, communicated well to shut him down.
But, the visitors broke the deadlock soon after through an unaddressed set-piece. A swinging corner from Harry Byrne found Elliott-Parris, who smashed the ball past our keeper.
We knew this was going to be a battle and the Blues showed resilience to get back into the game. Frankie Runham did well on the wing, surging forward as we searched for an equaliser. However, Spurs stayed compact and made it difficult to break through. Gordon followed with a curling shot, but it lacked the power to trouble Dylan Thompson in goal.
The action then flowed the other way. Sands was called into a bold save from Dexter Oliver’s powerful strike inside the box.
Genesis Antwi showcased a brilliant spell of play, using his immense speed to weave past Tottenham defenders with ease. Spotting Joseph Wheeler-Henry at the far post, he attempted a strike at goal, but a strong Tottenham block denied the chance.
Chelsea grew in confidence as Gordon flicked the ball to Runham, who found space and sprinted into the box. However, the onrushing keeper closed him down, forcing the ball just wide of the post.
Sands was then called into two crucial saves in quick succession. First, he denied a dangerous Byrne corner that bounced threateningly near the post. Moments later, Oliver unleashed a shot from inside the box, but Sands reacted quickly to keep Spurs from extending their lead.
Approaching the half-hour mark, Antwi had another attempt on goal. With tricky footwork, he worked his way into the box and fired a low shot that skimmed across the goal before drifting wide.
Just as it seemed like Chelsea were closing in on an equaliser, Spurs struck again. A long looping ball from Byrne found Oliver, who utilised the wing before cutting it back to Elliott-Parris. The No9 twisted and turned past our defenders before finishing coolly into the bottom corner.
Our time now
Chelsea clawed back into the game through a brilliant link-up. Antwi, using his speed and skill, played a perfect through ball to Gordon, who unleashed a powerful strike past Thompson in goal.
We faced an unexpected setback when Wheeler-Henry was forced off with an injury, replaced by Harry McGlinchey. But the team adapted well and were soon awarded a penalty. Leo Cardoso set up Gordon where his charge towards goal was halted by Byfield, leading the referee to blow his whistle. Harrison stepped up and smashed the penalty home with precision and power.
Tottenham thought they had regained the lead when George Feeney tapped the ball in from close range, but the offside flag went up immediately.
Moments before half-time, Chelsea took the lead in style. Antwi worked his way down the wing and cut the ball back to the top of the box. Walsh took one touch before firing a rocket into the top left corner, leaving the Spurs keeper helpless. Chelsea entered the break with a 3-2 lead.
Intensity continues
We came back out with the same momentum we had before the break. Cardoso had the first real chance of the second half with a drilled strike from the top of the penalty box, but somehow the Spurs keeper managed to kick it away.
Soon after, Runham tried his luck from just inside the box, but his shot lifted over the crossbar. Action quickly swinged to the other end where Spurs had another disallowed goal, this time through Byfield’s powerful strike.
We were starting to cause Tottenham real problems in front of our home supporters. Runham had another go, but his effort skimmed just over the bar, plus Antwi came agonisingly close with a powerful strike from a tight angle, but it rebounded off the crossbar.
Despite our strong spell, Tottenham managed to equalise in a frustrating moment for the Blues. Substitute Lehane beat Sands to a deep cross and headed the ball into the bottom corner.
The passion grew even stronger as we headed into the closing stages, showing real grit as we attempted to restore our lead. As the final minutes approached, we thought we had sealed a last-minute winner when Richards smashed a volley from close range, but the Spurs keeper stood tall and denied the goal.
We pushed hard throughout stoppage time, pressing relentlessly and desperately to find the back of the net, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Tottenham keeper. The game ended with the spoils shared.
What's next?
Chelsea Under-18s will return to action on Friday 13 December as we begin our FA Youth Cup campaign with an away match against Leicester City, with kick off at 7pm.
The teams
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Hudson Sands; Joseph Wheeler-Henry (Harry McGlinchey 37), Lewi Richards, Olutayo Subuloye, Genesis Antwi; Landon Emenalo, Ollie Harrison (c); Reggie Walsh, Leo Cardoso, Frankie Runham (Ryan Kavuma-McQueen 79); Sol GordonUnused subs: Toby Bell, Yahya Idrissi, Chizaram EzenwataScorers: Gordon 33, Harrison (P) 39, Walsh 45+4Booked: Subuloye 32
Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3): Dylan Thompson, Miracle Adewole, Harry Byrne, Jun'ai Byfield (c), Elijah Upson, Jamel Beggs, Ronny Moncur (Samal Bangura 90+4), George Feeney, Reiss Elliott-Parris (Ellis Lehane 63), Dexter Oliver (Calum Logan 84), Tynan ThompsonUnused subs: Blake Irow, Tye HallScorers: Elliott-Parris 5, 28, Lehane 71Booked: Feeney 44, Byrne 45+3, Beggs 90+1