It has been a bad few days to be a Chelsea penalty taker. First Cole Palmer with the senior team level at 0-0 against Leicester City on Sunday, and then Ollie Harrison from the spot with the Under-18s a goal down to Arsenal on Tuesday.
Both players hit the target and saw the goalkeeper strong low saves. Fortunately for Palmer, he had Marc Cucurella on hand to salvage a crucial three points in the Premier League when any other result would have been an embarrassment.
Harrison wasn't so lucky. His team fell to a 3-2 defeat at Cobham, likely ending any chances of winning the southern Under-18 Premier League. Chelsea are currently third, five points off Crystal Palace at the top but with two games in hand. Southampton are four ahead and have played a game more.
However, Aston Villa are on spot back and have played three games fewer, Tottenham can move above Chelsea with matches in hand, as can Fulham. Arsenal would do themselves if they won all three extra.
Harrison's penalty wasn't a game-changer but it did dent the momentum. Chelsea started the second half well, winning the spot-kick just five minutes after the break. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, one of the standout players in the team, won it as he latched onto a long ball and got taken out by Khari Ranson in goal. Ranson would go on to keep Arsenal ahead.
Chelsea's mistake at one end was followed up by an own goal at the other. The linesman had flagged for offside but it was overruled by the referee regardless. The official's decision-making grew to be a point of contention for Chelsea players and stuff throughout the game as coaches had to be spoken to at different stages.
Chizaram Ezenwata, 16, did manage to spark hope when he nodded in from Landon Emenalo's free-kick to set up a competitive finish. His goals were not enough to stop a loss, though, as Arsenal benefited from a strong first half.
Chelsea found themselves behind after 25 minutes but responded well. Ezenwata smashed in first time at the near post, showing exactly why he has 10 goals already this season despite playing well above his age.
Kavuma-McQueen is another in that bracket but had a largely frustrating day. He had a chance to score for Chelsea but took a heavy touch when through one-on-one. He let his anger out by kicking the post and wasn't able to take advantage of the few dribbling opportunities even if he did win the penalty. He remains one to watch from Hassan Sulaiman's team and has been playing in the Under-21 side despite only turning 16 at the start of January.
He has effectively replaced Rio Ngumoha, who left over the summer to join Liverpool, where he has now made his senior debut. Kavuma-McQueen looks to be on a similar trajectory.
It is his teammate, Genesis Antwi, who has gotten the call-up from Enzo Maresca so far. Antwi is 17 and also straddles the Under-18 and Under-21 squads. He was selected as a substitute for Sunday's win over Leicester, although he was unused.
As a versatile full-back able to play either side, Antwi is getting plenty of attention. He joins Ishe Samuels-Smith and Sam Rak-Sakyi as those on the outskirts of the first-team. Shumaira Mheuka has already been promoted, aged 17, to a rotational option in the senior squad and even starting in Europe.
Another two players of note, who actually swapped roles in the team, are Reggie Watson and Emenalo. The former is the son of Ben Watson, Wigan Athletic's FA Cup hero. He arrived last year from Palace and has been impressing. He is still only 15.
Emenalo is nominally a centre-back but moved further forward and sat in front of the defence, showcasing his passing range. The 17-year-old is son of former Chelsea sporting director Michael Emenalo, who now fronts up the Saudi Pro League revolution.
On Friday he combined with Samuels-Smith and Kavuma-McQueen for a late winner in the Premier League Under-21 Cup. Whilst Tuesday did not bring about the desired result, there was still plenty of promise on show.
Join the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp community
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's second goal from the penalty spot with team mate Jadon Sancho during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Stamford Bridge on September 28, 2024
Sign up to our Chelsea WhatsApp service and get all the latest breaking news and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Chelsea writers direct to your phone.
By signing up to this free service you will be the first to know the news from Stamford Bridge as it happens.
To join our Chelsea community, all you have to do is **click this link**to join and you're in!