From: Blackburn Rovers Youth v Chelsea FC Youth

[EskWeston 696]

A first-half own-goal has given Chelsea a good chance of making a second FA Youth Cup Final in three years. Away goals do not count double in this competition but the lead from this semi-final first leg and the strong performance that earned it should give Dermot Drummy's side plenty of confidence to take into Monday's second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Against a Blackburn side that beat Manchester United and Everton on their way to the semi-finals, the Chelsea Under 18s were the better side in the first 45 minutes. Blackburn improved in a second-half that saw both sides reduced to 10 men early on but having survived pressure, Chelsea restored superiority and created several chances towards the end. It remains just one goal conceded in what is now five cup games.

Kaby Djalo was the Chelsea player shown a red card so the skilful midfielder will take no part in the second leg.

There was just one change to the team that started the emphatic 4-0 win at Watford in the previous round. Jacopo Sala was fit again after an Achilles injury so the Italian took his place wide on the right of attack in a 4-3-3 shape. Milan Lalkovic made way.

The young Blues have made a habit of starting well in this Youth Cup campaign and the opening at Ewood Park was steady, although matched by the home team.

Conor Cliffoird was the first to warm the Blackburn keeper's hands in the 10^th minute after Gokhan Tore's cross was cleared to the edge of the area.

Another cross from the Turkish Under 21 international five minutes later was met by a stooping Marko Mitrovic but the Chelsea centre-forward couldn't direct a difficult chance on target.

On 17 minutes a cross was whipped in from the other flank by advanced right-back Billy Clifford and Mitrovic timed his jump perfectly at the near post, only to see his header rebound of the crossbar.

Kaby then had a shot deflected wide as Chelsea began to take a grip on the match. With the corner that resulted, the goal came.

Sala (pictured below) took it and hit an area at the near post well-policed by Blackburn shirts but the pace on the ball was enough that rather than clear it, one of two men stationed there deflected it in for an own-goal. The culprit was Tom Hitchcock - Blackburn's centre-forward and son for former Chelsea goalie Kevin Hitchcock.

Hitchcock's next act was kicking Sam Walker as the Chelsea keeper cleared upfield, an offence for which he was lectured but not booked.

Just past the half-hour mark an ultra-committed Conor Clifford momentarily saw a ball he could win and flew into a challenge, taking a very painful kick on the calf. For the second time in the game the Ireland Under 21 international needed treatment, but his memorable St Patrick's Day happily continued uninhibited.

Blackburn enjoyed a better spell approaching half-time but the Chelsea back four that has been the bedrock of this cup run again proved solid, despite Rovers possessing two pacy widemen.

Six minutes after the restart the Lancashire side come close to beating Walker when centre-back Grant Hanley headed a corner on-target but Kaby leapt and headed off the line.

Shortly after followed the ugly moment that resulted in the two red cards. It initially started with a foul by Sala and some words between the Italian and Josh Morris, but then many others became involved as both sides lost discipline. When it calmed down, Kaby was dismissed for punch on Rovers' Michael Potts who had kicked the Chelsea youngster. Sala was shown a yellow.

The home side's good start to the half (in football terms) continued when Hitchcock headed down and it took all of Walker's 6ft 5in to keep it out.

For Chelsea, McEachran hit a crisp shot too straight and then Sala and Mitrovic threatened to bundle a loose ball in.

Billy Clifford earned himself a booking on 66 minutes and when Chelsea countered moments later, Mitrovic fired just wide after McEeachran had cleverly drawn the Blackburn defence.

Inside the final 10 minutes, Tore, who had buzzed around menacingly throughout, found Sala for a shot straight at the keeper and then substitute Lalkovic gave Mitrovic (pictured below) a half-chance but Rovers defended well.

Lalkovic then shot narrowly over in stoppage time as Chelsea broke from our own half. That was followed by a surging run past two by left-back Conteh who was denied by a very good save.

'I'm pleased,' said youth team manager Drummy after the game. 'The boys matured tonight in what was a very tough game. We didn't get the call in a lot of free-kicks but they kept a good mentality and we played some good football. Blackburn worked really hard, put their foot in but we kept our composure and tried to play.

'If we sat off Blackburn it would invite them to play the long ball and look for second balls which is what they do well so we had to take the game to them.

'Sam Walker made a great save and all the defenders did well. Jeffrey Bruma has shown fantastic attitude - on the bench for the Champions League one night, up here for the youth team the next and he just gets on with it.

'We can now dictate the game a bit at the Bridge but it will still be a tough game without a doubt, but hopefully if we can produce a battling performance like tonight's again we can go through.'

The second leg is on Monday at Stamford Bridge. Please note there is a maximum 3,000 tickets available, so supporters are advised to buy tickets early to avoid disappointment. Kick-off is 7pm.

The match will also be live on Chelsea TV with coverage beginning at 6.15pm

Chelsea (4-3-3): Sam Walker; Billy Clifford, Danny Mills Pappoe, Jeffrey Bruma, Aziz-Deen Conteh; Aliu 'Kaby' Djalo, Josh McEachran (Milan Lalkovic 81), Conor Clifford ©; Jacopo Sala, Marko Mitrovic (Rohan Ince 90+3), Gokhan Tore.

Blackburn (4-3-3): Josh Swann; Jackson Ramm, Grant Hanley, Anthony O'Connor, Josh Morris; Jordan Bowen, Jason Lowe, Michael Potts; Micah Evans, Tom Hitchcock, Jason Banton (Osayamen Osawe).

Source: Chelsea FC