Wolves Reserves 4 - 0 Chelsea Reserves

[Madmax 9,219]

Jamal Blackman made his reserve debut as the Blues battled to comeback from a three-goal deficit conceded by the end of the tough first half.

The young shot-stopper was called into action in a youthful reserve side after Jan Sebek sustained an injury during the warm up.

And it was a tough start for the debutant; as Wolves found the net inside the opening minute before going on to score two more in the first half and adding a fourth from the penalty spot in the second.

Last time out our second string saw a nine-goal thriller ensue with Fabio Borini's five goals bringing Chelsea back from 3-1 down to an eventual 5-4 victory, although the Italian was not part of tonight's side.

That was a midday away game to West Bromwich Albion, while tonight was another away clash, only this time against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

There was first team experience in the side, with reserve manager Steve Holland boasting Jeffrey Bruma, Patrick van Aanholt and Gael Kakuta in his line-up.

Alongside the two defenders were Billy Clifford and Rohan Ince, while the young French forward found himself in an attacking trio including Adam Phillip in the centre and Jacopo Sala on the right.

Midfield consisted of Kaby and Jacob Mellis while Conor Clifford's loan spell at Plymouth allowed Nathaniel Chalobah a reserve start.

It was a tough start for Blackman after he failed to hold onto a Jack Cassidy shot and Sam Winnal latched onto the loose ball to drive into the net from close range.

It was an impressive start for the hosts, who were being watched by Mick McCarthy in the stands, but Blackman rallied and soon pulled off a fantastic save to deny Winnal another close-range effort.

Chelsea's first chance came from a glancing Bruma header on a Sala freekick, which careered wide. Van Aanholt then struck from 20 yards, drilling the ball past the opposite post.

However, Wolves soon doubled their lead when, with 25 minutes gone, Nathan Rooney fed off John Gorman on the edge of the box before launching a shot into the top right. Blackman could only watch as the ball struck the net.

Chelsea retaliated with a Phillip header on another well-placed Sala freekick but, despite a hefty connection, our number 9's chance went wide.

Blackman was called into further action as the Blues gifted Wolves further opportunities on goal. It wasn't long before the lead was increased, with the game's third coming from Chelsea's failure to close down.

When Winnal picked up the ball inside the centre circle, he dribbled straight for goal, when nobody closed him down he launched a soft shot into the bottom left from 20 yards. Blackman's view was blocked by the back-tracking defenders but it was still a simple goal for Wolves.

The hosts continued to test Blackman for the remainder of the half, with Cassidy coming closest when he tried his luck from 20 yards. At the other end Bruma skimmed the post with a freekick from 25 yards out.

There were no changes before the second half got under way and, apart from their lead, Wolves looked the weaker side.

There was a stroke of bad luck for the Blues when Ince was stretchered off after an awkward challenge with Winnal which resulted in a twist to the ankle. The young centre-back looked to be in a lot of pain as he was replaced by Michael Woods, who swapped positions with Chalobah in midfield.

But the loss of a player failed to dampen Chelsea's renewed vigour and we began building pressure around the Wolves area, with Bruma forcing a quick-witted save from Aaron McCarey between the hosts' posts when he drilled a loose ball goal-ward.

But just as the hour-mark passed, Chelsea conceded a penalty when Kaby pushed Winnal down inside the area. He stepped up to slot home his hat-trick, calmly tapping into the bottom right.

Wolves' fourth goal took the momentum out of Chelsea's game and a stagnant period of play unfolded. There were flashes of danger from Chelsea, but it was usually the result of a long ball to Phillip which petered out once the hosts' defence had tracked back.

The best chances of the final minutes fell to Wolves. First, Rooney clipped the bar from 20 yards out with a dipping shot over the defence, before Blackman pulled off a succession of good saves to keep the score at 4-0.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Blackman; Clifford, Ince (Woods 52), Bruma (Sampayo 61), Van Aanholt ©; Chalobah, Mellis, Kaby; Sala, Phillip, Kakuta (Philliskirk 61).

Unused subs Woods, Saville.

Wolves (4-4-2): McCarey; Dunleavy, Reckford, Batth ©, Ebanks-Ladell; Davis, Gorman, Rooney, Cassidy; Winnal (Landell 92), Mujangi Bia.

Unused subs Price, East, Ihikwe, Ismail.

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2204537,00.html

[kwylino 329]

Our youths arent on great form

[Madmax 9,219]

Our youths arent on great form

True. But I think the fact that Sebek got injured pre-match and we had to rush Jamal in proved to be a factor. Same with the injury to Ince. Wonder why there's no Josh and Borini. In for a role against Spartak? Hmm.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Taking Esk's job there are you?

[kwylino 329]

Well i think with the Amount of work esk does he deserves a break

[Madmax 9,219]

Taking Esk's job there are you?

What Zashko said

[eldo 868]

True. But I think the fact that Sebek got injured pre-match and we had to rush Jamal in proved to be a factor. Same with the injury to Ince. Wonder why there's no Josh and Borini. In for a role against Spartak? Hmm.

I heard that Blackman wasn't bad. Borini has shoulder injury.

[ack17 205]

With Bruma, Kakuta and Van Aanholt, the team lost 4-0

Do they really good enough for first team? I dont think so

Kakuta shows nothing for first team....

[LDN Blue 7,903]

With Bruma, Kakuta and Van Aanholt, the team lost 4-0

Do they really good enough for first team? I dont think so

Kakuta shows nothing for first team....

what ignorance.

[EskWeston 696]

Been swamped at work, havn't had a chance to write a report or comment on this game yet!!!!

Bottom line is that it was not a good performance, the whole team were well under par and should have comfortbaly won that game. Jamal Blackman was our man of the match, despite letting in 4 none of which was his fault he was brilliant for a keeper so young. Van Aanholt the only other player to come away looking good from that performance. The reserves have had a fantastic season so far with some great results and performances. This sort of thing happening has been fairly normal in previous reserves seasons but this season it is not. However the way the reserve league works i am not suprised to see this kind of results although the preformance was very much dissapointing.

Borini had a shoulder injury by the way.

[zolayes 14,489]

The Daily Hate Mail suggests Borini has been frozen out by Carlo ..hope this is just their shit reporting .

They did call Borini a midfielder though.....

Edited November 3, 2010 by zolayes

[EskWeston 696]

The Daily Hate Mail suggests Borini has been frozen out by Carlo ..hope this is just their shit reporting .

They did call Borini a midfielder though.....

Yes, shit reporting. Borini has been on fine form for the reserves, it is just it is harder to give him a game as a striker with the player ahead of him..... Carlo has said as much himself.

[EskWeston 696]

Highlights:

[zolayes 14,489]

cant wait to see todays highlights

chelsea 4 bayern 0

2 for danny 2 for borini

team for the future on show

...best news of the week