Portsmouth Reserves 0 Chelsea FC Reserves 2

[EskWeston 696]

Chelsea dominated in a 2-0 victory tonight (Tuesday) against Portsmouth Reserves in a comfortable win. During a breezy evening on the south coast, substitute Fabio Borini (pictured) scored two second-half goals to secure the Reserves three points, following on from the first team's recent Carling Cup success against Portsmouth.

Carlo Cudicini played a full 90 minutes at Havant and Waterlooville FC, while new loan signing Fabio Paim made his first start in a Chelsea shirt.

The first 10 minutes saw Chelsea controlling the game, with domination in midfield culminating in Paim sending a shot flying over the bar.

But it was Morten Nielsen who came closest to scoring inside the first 15 minutes, when Scott Sinclair pulled the ball back to the Dane before Pompey keeper Jon Stewart acrobatically blocked the subsequent shot.

After athletically stopping Nielsen's attempt, Stewart's next touch was an error, as he failed to collect a simple cross, allowing the ball to bounce across the face of goal into Paim's path.

Chelsea's recent arrival from Portugal then danced around the back-tracking defenders before skimming the post with a low shot.

With 25 minutes gone, Portsmouth had their best chance of the game when Chelsea were penalised for a Michael Mancienne hand-ball, allowing Jordan Hughes to send a shot dipping over the wall, which forced Cudicini to tip the ball over for a corner.

Sinclair, Sergio Tejera and Jacob Mellis all had chances before the half time break, with Carl Magnay coming closest with a low, stinging shot from the edge of the box which was deflected from danger by Steward.

As the whistle was blown on the half, Chelsea were looking strong as we pressured the Portsmouth goal, and it was only a matter of time before the Blues would take the lead.

Ten minutes from the restart, substitute Fabio Borini turned an Nana Ofori-Twumasi cross behind the line to finally break the deadlock.

Minutes later Sinclair nearly made it two as he scrambled in the box with Stewart, but the Pompey keeper's resilience was enough to deny the Chelsea man as he blocked the ball.

As 70 minutes approached, Chelsea were passing the ball comfortably around the midfield, with Michael Woods, Sinclair and Mellis launching shots goalward from long range without troubling Steward.

But it was a close-range effort from Borini that doubled Chelsea's lead as he collected a Sam Hutchinson cross before turning on the half-volley and smashing into the net in the 73rd minute.

Confidence continued to show throughout the Chelsea side as we dominated the rest of the game. Borini was looking for his hat-trick as he broke into the box before sending a shot wide of its mark.

The game finished with further attempts from Sinclair, one which forced a leaping save from Steward, who sent the ball over the bar. Another shot spun inches wide.

Chelsea's control of the fixture creates a sound foundation for the Blues to face AC Milan on Saturday morning.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Carlo Cudicini, Nana Ofori-Twumasi, Michael Mancienne, Carl Magnay, Liam Bridcutt ©; Jacob Mellis, Sergio Tejera (Sam Hutchinson 58), Michael Woods; Scott Sinclair, Morten Nielsen (Fabio Borini h-t), Fabio Paim (Fabio Ferriera 66).

Source: Chelsea FC

[terry26 6]

good to see the boys get a good result and to see Carlo get a 90 minute run

they didnt show CTV last nite (stupid CL) so i didn't get to watch the match

[EskWeston 696]

and to see Carlo get a 90 minute run

He might as well have been sitting in a chair smoking a cigar for all he had to do!

I would be suprised if there was any easier reserve team game this season, Portsmouth were poor. We were good, but have played to a higher standard in our previous games and should have scored more goals.

[terry26 6]

He might as well have been sitting in a chair smoking a cigar for all he had to do!

[EskWeston 696]

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