Our under-18s got back to winning ways with a 3-2 victory away to Chelsea in the U18 Premier League South on Tuesday.
Louis Zecevic-John opened the scoring before Chizaram Ezenwata equalised and Josh Ogunnaike gave us the lead again, all within a five-minute period.
Khari Ranson saved a penalty to keep us ahead and we increased our lead courtesy of a Olutayo Subuloye own goal.
Ezenwata pulled one back with nine minutes remaining but we held on for all three points.
### WHAT HAPPENED
We had a big chance to take the lead in the 19th minute after a lovely blistering run from Brando Bailey-Joseph, but his effort smacked the post.
The deadlock was broken five minutes later, Zecevic-John capitalising on a loose ball and finishing first time across the goalkeeper as the ball rolled across his body.
But it took Chelsea just three minutes to respond, a low driven cross from Yahya Regragui Idrissi finished first time by Ezenwata.
They were only level for one minute though, as a lovely driving run and nutmeg from Max Dowman allowed him to play it over to Zecevic-John. Goalscorer turned provider with a lovely pass around the corner for Ogunnaike to finish off first time for 2-1.
Sam Chapman kept us ahead at the other end after he was dispossessed by Ezenwata, recovering well to block the shot and send us into the break a goal to the good.
Chelsea had a great chance to take the lead early in the second half when Ryan Kavuma-McQueen was fouled by Ranson in the penalty area, but our goalkeeper quickly made amends with a penalty save, diving down to his right to deny Ollie Harrison and keep us in front.
Dowman had a curling free-kick parried past the post at the other end and the Zecevic-John header from his following corner was caught comfortably by Jack Austin.
Dowman then carried us forward and won a free-kick on the edge of the area but his effort hit the Chelsea wall, before we forced an own goal by Subuloye as he tried to clear a rebound off the line for 3-1.
Ranson made a good save as he denied Ezenwata’s second of the game before Zecevic-John lobbed an effort just over the bar and onto the roof of the net.
Chelsea pulled one back in the 80th minute, Ezenwata heading in for his brace.
### WHAT IT MEANS
We climb to seventh in the league with 22 points from 15 games.
### WHAT’S NEXT
We return to Sobha Realty Training Centre for Saturday’s 11.30am kick-off against Leicester City in the U18 Premier League South.
### LINE-UPS
**Chelsea XI:** Austin, Antwi (Wheeler-Henry 46), Watson, Subuloye, Diakite, Emenalo, Idrissi (McGlinchey 63), Harrison (C), Ezenwata, Walsh (Gordon 64), Kavuma-McQueen
Substitutes (not used): Sands, Nutter
**Arsenal XI:** Ranson, Murisa (Ismail 66), Ogunnaike, Clarke, Chapman, Ibrahim, Bailey-Joseph (Maciniak 80), Copley, Zecevic-John (Oyetunde 80), Dowman (C), Casey (O’Neill 64)
Substitutes (not used): Porter
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