Chelsea U18s began their U18 Premier League South campaign on Saturday morning, beating Crystal Palace 4-2 in an enthralling encounter.
Forward Kobe Barbour gave Chelsea the lead inside six minutes, with Captain Olutayo Subuloye spraying a long-range pass to Sol Gordon, who delivered a cross for Barbour to score.
The hosts responded quickly from the penalty spot after Calvin Diakite committed a foul inside the area. Ben Casey stepped up to convert, sending goalkeeper Freddy Bernal the wrong way.
Chelsea almost regained the lead when Chizzy Ezenwata received a pass from Barbour and forced goalkeeper Harry Whitworth to tip the ball over the bar.
The Blues had been the better side, but Palace took the lead before the end of the first half when Walker-Smith headed Jacob Fasida’s free-kick home at the far post.
After the interval, Palace nearly extended the lead with Bernal denying Casey in a one-on-one. The 16-year-old goalkeeper did well again to preserve the scoreline, rushing out to dive at the feet of Chuks Okoli.
The Blues then scored against the run of play when Ezenwata curled a 20-yard free-kick into the bottom corner after the hour mark.
Mathis Eboue, son of former Arsenal star Emmanuel Eboue, gave Hassan Sulaiman’s side the lead as he smashed a shot past the goalkeeper after receiving a pass from Sol Gordon.
Palace should have equalised when Bernal parried David Angibeaud’s effort towards Ajean Ray-Greaves, but the young midfielder shockingly could not put the ball into the empty net.
Bernal produced another fantastic save to deny the hosts from drawing level before Walker-Smith scored an own goal to secure the maximum points for Chelsea.
The Blues’ Under-18s will host Sheffield United in the U18 Premier League Cup on Tuesday before playing Aston Villa at home in the league four days later.
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