Chelsea marked the perfect return from the international break with a commanding London derby victory over Crystal Palace, scoring twice in the first half before delivering a composed and professional second-half display in Under-18 Premier League action at Cobham on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues began with real intensity, carrying momentum from our league win over Reading prior to the break. Determined to maintain our winning run, we looked to build on that result as we moved deeper into the final stretch of the season.
It was an excellent start for the hosts, as winger Mathis Eboue unleashed an unstoppable strike just beyond the 20-minute mark to open the scoring, registering his sixth goal of the campaign.
We doubled our advantage before the interval through top scorer Chizaram Ezenwata, who finished clinically to mark his 17th goal across all competitions and send the Blues into half-time with a deserved 2-0 lead.
Dan Hogan’s Under-18s continued to work diligently after the break, maintaining our attacking threat while probing consistently against the Crystal Palace defence. We managed the second half with maturity and control, seeing out the game with confidence to secure our fifth league clean sheet of the season.
Early pressure
Chelsea started on the front foot, immediately applying pressure on home turf. Within the opening 10 minutes, the first real chance arrived as winger Eboue surged forward with pace and close control before unleashing a low strike on target. However, Palace goalkeeper Lucca Benetton reacted sharply, producing a strong one-on-one save to deny the opener.
As the tempo began to settle, we continued to probe with intent. Right-back Lewi Richards was the next to try his luck, curling a left-footed effort from just inside the area, but Benetton was alert once again to gather the close-range attempt.
The Blues continued to build momentum, linking up well in attacking areas. Eboue, lively throughout, drove forward once more before delivering a perfectly weighted square pass to the onrushing Sol Gordon. From the centre of the penalty area, Gordon struck first time, but his effort flew narrowly wide, denying him a place on the scoresheet. It was a confident and encouraging spell from the side.
Stunning strike
The breakthrough, though, felt inevitable - and when it came, it arrived in spectacular fashion.
The move began at the back with Dante Waite, who delivered an outstanding long, looping pass out wide to Gordon. He controlled the ball well before intelligently pulling it back into the path of Eboue, who arrived in stride and unleashed a thunderous finish that rocketed into the roof of the net, leaving Benetton with no chance. Chelsea led 1-0.
As the half drew closer to the break, the Blues continued to apply pressure. We almost doubled our advantage when Waite once again provided a precise long ball, this time finding Ezenwata inside the area. He got his shot away on target, but Benetton reacted quickly, diving low to palm the effort clear.
Adding another
The second goal soon followed, as we combined effectively once more. Richards spotted Ezenwata’s run with a clever long pass, and the forward took the ball in stride before driving a composed, low strike between defenders and into the bottom corner. It was a clinical finish to extend the lead.
Chelsea maintained control through to the whistle, displaying confidence and composure in possession. After an impressive first half, the Blues went into the interval firmly in command at 2-0.
Entertainment continues
After the break, both sides continued to pose a threat. It was the hosts who created the first opportunity from a whipped free-kick delivered by Jasper Judd, with Chuks Okoli narrowly missing the decisive touch over the line. However, Freddy Bernal remained composed to keep the effort out.
Play quickly shifted to the other end, where schoolboy midfielder Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli unleashed a venomous strike that looked destined for the net, only to flash narrowly wide.
A series of close chances followed as we searched for a third goal. Eboue came close to adding his second with a stinging effort from a tight angle, but the Palace keeper produced a strong save to deny him. Defender Calvin Diakite also ventured forward and tried his luck, sending a shot just inches wide as he joined the attack.
Chelsea continued to dominate in the closing stages, with Under-18s head coach Hogan introducing fresh attacking legs as Kobe Barbour and Jashayde Greenwood replaced Gordon and Ezenwata.
Landon Emenalo, operating from midfield, came close to adding a late goal after twisting and turning his way into the penalty area before unleashing a whipped effort that flashed across the face of goal and narrowly evaded the far post.
The Blues remained composed and in control as the final whistle approached, managing the game with maturity. At full-time, celebrations followed as we recorded a fourth consecutive unbeaten outing and secured back-to-back Under-18 Premier League victories, maintaining strong momentum heading into the next fixture.
What it means
Following this result, Chelsea remain in second place in the Under-18 Premier League South table on 46 points, having recorded our 14th league victory of the season. We are now just one point behind league leaders Tottenham Hotspur and still have a game in hand.
What's next
Chelsea will continue our Under-18 Premier League campaign with a midweek fixture against Arsenal on Tuesday 7 April, kicking off at midday at Cobham. The match will be available for Chelsea supporters to watch live, free of charge, on the Chelsea Official App and website.
The teams
Chelsea (4-3-3): Freddy Bernal; Lewi Richards, Dante Waite (c), Olutayo Subuloye, Calvin Diakite; Landon Emenalo, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Reggie Walsh; Sol Gordon (Kobe Barbour 69), Chizaram Ezenwata (Jashayde Greenwood 77), Mathis EboueUnused subs:Toby Bell, Riley Ebho, Isaac BaduScorers: Eboue 21, Ezenwata 40
Booked: Eboue 78, Barbour 82
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Lucca Benetton, Jasper Judd, Khyan Frazer-Williams, Hugo Bull, Sebastian Bonsu-Amako, Chuks Okoli, Daniel Owoade (Kairo Smith-Phillips 65), Euan Danaher, Donte Martin (Jayden McDonald 89), Mylo Bernard (Kayden Michael Moses 76), David AngibeaudUnused subs: Nathanael James Kalembo, Jamar LeeBooked: Bernard 11, Smith-Phillips 81