Chelsea FC Youth 2 Crystal Palace Youth 2

[EskWeston 696]

Chelsea came back from 2-1 down thanks to an outstanding Todd Kane strike late in the second half at a cloudy Cobham today. After taking the lead, Chelsea conceded in each half before Kane's 30-yard screamer in the 85th minute.

With the reserves in action on Monday, Dermot Drummy included five schoolboys in his starting line-up, with two more coming on in the second half.

The side lined up in a 4-3-3 formation but with Ismail Seremba pushing further up from the attacking trio at times.

It was Seremba who snatched Chelsea's first opportunity on goal when, in the opening minutes, he broke into the box only to have his shot blocked by the Palace keeper.

The visitors retaliated immediately and Jamal Blackman was forced to make two good saves. The best came following a dangerous freekick into the box and a subsequent close-range effort from Palace which Blackman dived low to gather.

Despite the opening chances, the game became fairly stagnant as each team battled for possession in the middle of the pitch.

It wasn't until a Kane header flew inches wide just after 25 minutes that Chelsea really looked like scoring and moments later the young Blues did.

When Bobby Devyne drilled a shot from 20 yards out, the Palace keeper failed to hold onto the strike and instead parried the ball into Seremba's path only feet from goal. The forward took no chances and put a well-placed strike into the net.

Captain George Saville then helped Blackman block a succession of shots from Palace to maintain our lead before the visitors netted five minutes from the break.

After their number 11 was gifted time and space on the right flank, he curled an inch-perfect cross towards the far post for Palace's number 8 to confidently head home, despite Blackman getting his hands to the ball.

Devyne would produce another chance before a John Swift header forced a great save from the Palace shot-stopper, meaning Chelsea went go into the break level.

Within minutes of the restart the visitors took the lead. It was another header, only this time at the near post, after their number 2 broke to cross for the number 9 to head over the line.

Kane (pictured) was then shown yellow for a late challenge and persistent fouling before Blackman denied Palace a third when a hefty strike was deflected out for a corner.

There was another uneventful period in the game before, five minutes from time, Kane stepped up to score a fantastic goal.

When a corner failed to find any Blues inside the Palace box, the ball rolled out to the young Blue who was over 30 yards from the goal.

After taking a simple touch, the right-back struck perfectly to send the ball flying into the top right; it will be a certain contender for Goal of the Season inside the Academy.

'Todd did brilliantly today,' said youth team manager Drummy after the game. 'He's got lots of enthusiasm, which is a massive plus, but he also has a great personality.

'The first goal was a great strike from Bobby Devyne and it was great to see Ismail follow it up.

'Alex Davey and George Saville defended staunchly throughout the match and Lewis Baker had a good game as well but we have to be pleased with all of them,' he added.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Jamal Blackman; Todd Kane, Alex Davey, George Saville ©, Lewis Kinsella (Adam Nditi 60); Archange Nkumu, John Swift, Lewis Baker; Bobby Devyne (Ali Gordon 75), Ismail Seremba, Reece Loudon (Samuel Bangura 80).

Source: Chelsea FC

[EskWeston 696]

Highlights:

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Beautiful strike from Kane!!

We seem to have a few defender who have a good shot on them don't we?

[Steve 10,227]

Very nice finish from Kane!! From the look of the highlights we were the better team, shame about the result.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

More dominant side, yet unable to get the win.

Maybe we are missing a big old striker up-front? We had Mitrovic and Borini before right? Both finishers.

Do you rate this youth team to last years or the year before that Esk?

Seems to me Blackman isn't as good as Sam Walker is.

[EskWeston 696]

More dominant side, yet unable to get the win.

Maybe we are missing a big old striker up-front? We had Mitrovic and Borini before right? Both finishers.

Do you rate this youth team to last years or the year before that Esk?

Seems to me Blackman isn't as good as Sam Walker is.

Prosenik is supposed to be the target man for this team but he is injured, was having a good season too.

It is hard to judge this season as a "team" there has been such a big number of players involved due to injuries and players moving up early, so many schoolboys involved too. There are certainly a lot of talented individual players for sure.