How does it feel to score a late winner in the FA Youth Cup? Chelsea Under-18s forward Kobe Barbour tells us after his goal against Leicester City secured our place in the fourth round of the prestigious competition.
Chelsea delivered an action-packed performance on Friday evening, giving everything to secure a 3-2 victory over Leicester City and progress to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
The game started tough for the Blues, with Jake Evans putting the Foxes 2-0 up. However, Kiano Dyer pulled one back before the break, giving Chelsea a much-needed boost. After the interval, Shumaira Mheuka headed in the equaliser, levelling the game.
Then Barbour was introduced from the bench to make an immediate impact, causing problems for Leicester’s defence and scoring the winner in the 87th minute. His goal sealed the victory and extended Chelsea Under-18s' unbeaten run to five games.
'I was buzzing when I saw my name in the squad,' he said. 'I knew if I got the chance to come on, I had to make a difference, and I felt I did. The competition means a lot to the whole Academy and to us players. It’s the biggest competition of all and we want to make our mark.
'As soon as I came on, I felt I was causing problems for Leicester. I was running in behind, being direct and, in the end, it paid off! I was really pleased with the finish. It was just about being in the right place at the right time. I saw Leo [Cardoso]’s initial effort saved and the ball fell perfectly to me in open space. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was going in, but when it did it felt amazing!
'I sprinted straight over to the corner flag and the whole team celebrated along with the away crowd. It showed how much it meant to all of us. It was an amazing feeling. Sharing the moment with my team-mates, coaches and supporters was something I’ll never forget. I still can’t fully describe that feeling. It was great for me personally and it was nice to see how proud my family was. It’s definitely one of my favourite moments.'
With Barbour signing his scholarship in July, just before the 2024/25 season kicked off, this is his first full season with the Under-18s. While he has made appearances across various competitions, his campaign has been disrupted by minor injuries. So, how does he overcome these setbacks?
'I’ve only recently returned from injury and it was tough. But now, I’m focused on staying present and being fit. It’s important to recover properly and rest to prepare for the next fixture,' Barbour explained. 'Coming back from injury requires mental resilience, but it feels amazing to be back.
'Playing in the FA Youth Cup and scoring - what a feeling! Since returning, I’ve shown my strength and what I’m capable of. I’m a strong, quick forward and that makes me tough for opponents to deal with.
'I’ll continue to work hard each week and put everything into my performances to achieve the best outcomes for both myself and the team.'
After the high of the Leicester victory, Chelsea quickly return to action for our final fixture of 2024. We face another London derby on Tuesday morning, travelling to Crystal Palace in the Under-18 Premier League action. This match marks a return to league action following a thrilling 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Cobham, where three different Blues found the net.
Our opponents this Tuesday, Crystal Palace, currently sit below us in the league table. Although both teams are tied on points, we hold the advantage due to the Blues' superior goal difference.
Barbour concluded: 'We’re excited for Crystal Palace and training has been going well. I'm looking forward to the challenge. We know it will be tough, but we head into the game with confidence from our last win.
'We know what we need to do and now we just have to go out and get the job done. It’s important to finish the year on a high note and get the win the team deserves. I’m hoping for another strong team performance and maybe I’ll get another goal!'
Watch the younger generation
Chelsea supporters worldwide can watch our Under-18s in action on Tuesday morning as we face Crystal Palace in a London derby away from home, with the game kicking off at 11am. To watch the live stream free of charge, simply go to our Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Under-18s Match Centre on the official Chelsea app and website by clicking below or via the homepage shortly before kick-off.