A last-minute winner from schoolboy Ryan Kavuma-McQueen guaranteed Chelsea Under-21s a place in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals after a 2-1 win over Ipswich Town.
Although we enjoyed significant possession, it was Ipswich who broke the deadlock. Rio Morgan netted an impressive effort from outside the area to put our opponents ahead at the interval.
In the second half, we were awarded a penalty when midfielder Harrison McMahon was brought down. Shim Mheuka kept his cool to level from the spot and score his third Under-21s goal.
As the game entered its final minutes, we pushed forward to find the winner. It arrived in the dying moments thanks to brilliant work from Ishe Samuels-Smith. He played a perfectly-timed pass to Kavuma-McQueen, who slotted the ball home to ensure our journey in the competition continues. .
Instant aggression
The young Blues came out with notable energy in this last-16 fixture and immediately pressed Ipswich’s backline.
Under-18s regular Genesis Antwi wasted little time making an impact, driving down the wing before firing a powerful low strike from a tight angle that went narrowly wide.
The Blues kept the pressure up and Ronnie Stutter delivered a dangerous cross into the box that Samuel Rak-Sakyi did well to meet it. However, his attempt sent the ball agonisingly wide of the post.
Ipswich weren’t willing to sit back and as they settled into the game, they created their own chances. Tom Taylor latched onto a loose ball inside the area and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that cannoned back off the crossbar.
Chelsea quickly regained control, testing Ipswich keeper Woody Williamson-Andrews with a series of shots. A clever long ball from Harrison Murray-Campbell sent Antwi racing through on goal. He fired a close-range effort, but the keeper reacted quickly to keep it out.
The Blues came even closer moments later. Captain Samuels-Smith floated a precise ball into the box. Mheuka - fresh from his full senior debut against Copenhagen - controlled it effortlessly on his chest before firing a shot that looked destined for the top corner.
Incredibly, Williamson-Andrews managed to stretch and push the effort over the bar.
Frustrating moments
Despite an early setback when Charlie Compton was forced off due to injury, Ipswich continued to battle well. And Compton’s replacement, Steven Turner, made an impact.
Edwin Agbaje surged forward before finding Turner, who played a simple pass to Morgan. The winger then unleashed a brilliant strike from outside the box, curling the ball into the top corner beyond Ted Curd.
Chelsea responded and believed they had equalised from a well-executed set-piece. Landon Emenalo delivered a swinging corner, which Murray-Campbell met with a powerful header. Though the initial shot was saved, McMahon was quick to slide home the rebound.
However, just as the celebrations started, the assistant’s flag went up for offside.
Battling back
In the second half, the Blues came out with renewed aggression, determined to turn the game around. Substitute Kavuma-McQueen quickly made an impression, firing a powerful shot on target that the Tractor Boys' keeper saved well.
We didn’t have to wait long for the equaliser. McMahon was fouled inside the box by Corbin Mthunzi and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Mheuka stepped up, took a moment to compose himself, and fired a low strike that sent the keeper the wrong way.
Under-21s head coach Filipe Coelho made a change, bringing on Omari Kellyman for his first appearance since recovering from injury. The midfielder soon had a chance to make an impact as he blasted a powerful left-footed shot, but it sailed just over the crossbar, denying him a goal.
Late drama
As the game appeared set for extra time, Chelsea fashioned a winner – and what a goal it was.
Emenalo sent a brilliant long ball to Samuels-Smith, who controlled it expertly on the wing. He drove into the box and played a simple square pass to Kavuma-McQueen, who smashed the ball past keeper Williamson-Andrews.
We fought to hold that advantage, battling through five minutes of stoppage time until the final whistle blew. The dramatic finish sealed our place in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals.
What's next
Chelsea will shift focus to Premier League 2 action with a trip to Norwich City's training ground on Friday 14 March, for a midday kick-off.
Supporters worldwide can watch the match live on the official Chelsea website and app, free of charge.
The teams
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Ted Curd; Genesis Antwi, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Landon Emenalo, Ishe Samuels-Smith (c); Ollie Harrison (Ryan Kavuma-McQueen 59), Harrison McMahon; Ronnie Stutter (Omari Kellyman 71), Donnell McNeilly, Samuel Rak-Sakyi; Shumaira Mheuka (Kiano Dyer 86)Unused subs:Luke Campbell, Kaiden WilsonScorers: Mheuka 63 (P), Kavuma-McQueen 90Booked: McMahon 56, Murray-Campbell 78
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1): Woody Williamson Andrews, Edwin Agbaje, Josh Lewis, Corbin Mthunzi, Dan O'Connor, Ryan Carr, Tudor Mendel-Idowu (Mathaeus Roberts 72), Charlie Compton (Steven Turner 38), Jamie Mauge, Tom Taylor, Rio MorganUnused subs: Leon Elliott, Abube Onuchukwu, Charlie BinnsScorer: Morgan 39Booked: Carr 61, Mendel-Idowu 73