U18 Premier League Match Report - Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0

Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0

Our Under-18s made it four wins from four and 43 games unbeaten at home as two goals in the first half secured the points in a London derby against Arsenal.
Marc Guehi’s spectacular opener was followed by a brilliant strike from debutant Billy Gilmour and, despite the efforts of Gunners keeper Joao Virginia and some wasteful finishing, the Blues controlled proceedings to see out the victory and continue their 100 per cent winning start to the new campaign.
Manager Jody Morris made one change from the 4-0 win away at Norwich City a fortnight previously, with summer signing Gilmour available to make his Chelsea debut after the club received his international clearance from FIFA.
The Scotland Under-17 international started on the right side of a midfield diamond alongside Juan Castillo, with George McEachran most advanced and captain Conor Gallagher the deepest. Martell Taylor-Crossdale and Charlie Brown continued to lead the line up front, with the back five of Marcel Lavinier, Jack Wakely, Jon Panzo, Guehi and keeper Jamie Cumming unchanged.

It was a bright start from the Blues on a brisk autumn’s morning at Cobham and they controlled possession in the early stages, although it was Guehi forced into the first notable defending of the game as he blocked a shot from Fol Balogun inside the box.
The 17-year-old then made a far more eye-catching contribution in the opposite 18-yard area as he opened the scoring with just seven minutes played. McEachran floated his corner delivery towards the back post and Guehi kept his eye on the ball before acrobatically firing an unstoppable volley into the top corner.
A stunning opener set the scene for a dominant first-half showing from Morris’s men, who peppered Arsenal’s goal but were continually frustrated by the efforts of the Gunners keeper. The Portuguese stopper tipped over Castillo’s drive after a long period of Chelsea possession before saving low from Brown.
Dutch midfielder Castillo had netted the only goal of the game in our previous outing at Cobham and he was eager to strike again as the visitors struggled for a foothold. Gallagher won a brave header in midfield and Castillo advanced forward, his dipping strike collected at the second attempt by Virginia.

Goalscorer Guehi battles for the ball on the floor.

Arsenal’s most promising opportunity of the first period came halfway through as Cumming spilled a free-kick delivered from the right and the ball scrambled around the box before Balogun shot just wide.
The chances continued to flow for the hosts as Taylor-Crossdale flicked just past the upright and Gilmour’s strike had the keeper scrambling before Brown was denied at close range following a lovely flowing move from back to front.
There was reward for our dominance moments before the break as Gilmour found the back of the net for a debut goal. The midfielder picked up possession on the edge of the box and fired an effort beyond the dive of Virginia to open his account for his new club.
The Gunners had a shout for a penalty before the referee could blow his whistle for the interval, Bukayo Saka going down over the outstretched leg of Wakely, but the Arsenal man was booked for simulation. Gilmour then went close up the other end as Virginia saved his poked effort at goal.

Juan Castillo in midfield action for the young Blues.

Arsenal restarted with more verve and fashioned good chances to reduce the deficit early on. Joseph Olowu directed a point-blank header straight at Cumming before the Blues goalkeeper saved another header shortly after from Danny Ballard.
It should have been 3-0 just after the hour mark as the Blues cut their London rivals open and Castillo was set clear through the middle. However, Virginia once again continued his impressive outing and stood tall before making a save with his feet.
Substitute Tyreece John-Jules forced Cumming into a low save with a strike on the turn as missed opportunities threatened to cost the defending league champions but in the end it was the Blues going close to further goals as Taylor-Crossdale’s header dropped off-target and Gilmour (pictured below) scuffed wide from 15 yards.

While perhaps rueful of some profligate finishing in front of goal, Morris could be pleased with a fifth consecutive clean sheet and a perfect winning start to the new campaign. The youngsters return to action in the inaugural Under-18 Premier League Cup next weekend away at Blackburn Rovers. Before then, our Under-19s return to the UEFA Youth League against their counterparts from Qarabag on Tuesday.

Chelsea (4-diamond-2) Jamie Cumming; Marcel Lavinier, Marc Guehi, Jack Wakely, Jon Panzo; Conor Gallagher (c), Juan Castillo (Clinton Mola 89), Billy Gilmour, George McEachran; Charlie Brown (Tariq Lamptey 79), Martell Taylor-Crossdale (Tushaun Walters 90)
Unused subs Nicolas Tie, Tariq Uwakwe
Scorers Guehi 7; Gilmour 43
Booked Lavinier

Arsenal Joao Virginia, Vontae Daley-Campbell, Tobi Omole, Josh Benson, Joseph Olowu, Danny Ballard, Bukayo Saka (Dominic Thompson), James Olayinka (Matt Smith 75), Fol Balogun, Robbie Burton (Tyreece John-Jules 62), Emile Smith-Rowe
Unused subs Arthur Okonkwo, Bayli Spencer-Adams
Booked Saka, Daley-Campbell, Omole, Olowu

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