U18 Premier League Match Report - Chelsea 1 Brighton 0

Chelsea 1 Brighton 0

Our Under-18s took their time to break down a resilient Brighton side but a wonderful free-kick from Billy Gilmour (pictured above) 10 minutes from time sealed the league points for Jody Morris’s men.

Marc Guehi’s header hit the bar and Charlie Brown’s penalty kick was saved in the first period, with Guehi also having to clear off his line after a rare attacking foray from the visitors. It was a frustrating evening at a clear and cold Cobham for the hosts as it looked like a breakthrough goal would evade them, though Gilmour’s brilliant bending finish late on ensured the league leaders claimed a deserved full complement of the points.

Morris made three changes from the side that were 3-0 winners at Brighton in the Under-18 Premier League Cup a fortnight previously, with goalkeeper Nicolas Tie, Marcel Lavinier and Jon Russell returning to the side.

The Seagulls had just two alterations to their team and arrived at Cobham keen to make amends for a painful previous visit in which they were beaten 13-0 back in February. Morris conceded in the build-up how that was a freak result and warned his side to be wary of Brighton’s qualities, though it was the hosts who made a bright start in the opening five minutes.

Brown was heavily involved up front, heading an inswinging George McEachran corner off-target before racing clear through the middle but dragging his finish just wide. A clever run off the defender’s shoulder moments later fashioned another sight at goal following Conor Gallagher’s forward pass and the visiting goalkeeper got his timing badly wrong as he took the striker down with his attempt to play the ball.

It was the clearest of penalty decisions for the referee but far from decisive contact from 12 yards as Tom McGill made amends and pushed Brown's effort to safety down low to his right. From the following corner, Guehi rose highest in the middle and directed a header towards goal but saw his effort clip the top of the crossbar and bounce behind.

Brighton’s early attacking intent was minimal, with Tariq Lamptey’s flicked header away at the back post the only notable defending required of the hosts in the first half hour. Brown continued to pose our biggest threat, bringing down a high ball with super control, though his lobbed finish dropped just wide.

The Blues soon lost their early impetus in the face of resistant defending from the visitors, whose best chance was fashioned by Mamadou Kone delivering from the left and Isaac Hutchinson volleying harmlessly over Tie’s bar.

Down the other end, Guehi poked wide after Brighton failed to clear a corner and both Gallagher then McEachran brought routine stops from McGill. Gallagher continued to drive the team from midfield, charging forward and exchanging passes with Daishawn Redan but his shot lacked the accuracy to trouble the goalkeeper.

Another of our England Under-17 World Cup winners made a telling contribution right before the break as Ian Buckman’s side threatened to strike first. Hutchinson delivered a deep cross towards Stefan Ljubicic at the far post and the big striker nodded back across goal, though Guehi read the danger and was well-positioned to clear from the goal-line.

Morris made tactical and personnel adjustments at the interval, swapping Juan Castillo for Brown and switching to a 3-4-2-1 shape. The game’s momentum remained with the Blues, who controlled possession and continued to probe in the attacking third. Gilmour swung in a free-kick but Guehi’s header was an easy catch for McGill, while Lavinier latched on to a loose ball in the box but smashed a strike a whisker wide.

Frustration grew as the half progressed without a breakthrough for the hosts. McEachran curled a deflected effort wide after Redan and Gilmour failed to get their close-range shots away, while the Seagulls flew under the radar in an attacking sense, offering little in the way of a final third threat.

Schoolboy Tino Anjorin was introduced with 25 minutes remaining and it was his burst forward that earned a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box. Gilmour had proved his danger from similar positions in previous games and the Scottish midfielder did not fail to produce when required, bending a brilliant effort over the wall and inside the near post.

It was no less than the dominant home side deserved for their efforts. Teddy Hoare fired a speculative attempt wide and Gallagher went close to doubling the advantage late on with a curling, dipping strike from 20 yards but the solitary goal was enough to secure the three league points, extending our lead at the southern section summit to eight.

Chelsea (4-diamond-2) Nicolas Tie; Tariq Lamptey, Marc Guehi, Marcel Lavinier, Jon Panzo; Jonathan Russell (Tino Anjorin 66), Billy Gilmour, Conor Gallagher (c), George McEachran; Daishawn Redan, Charlie Brown (Juan Castillo h/t)
Unused subs Renedi Masampu, Karlo Ziger, Clinton Mola
Scorer Gilmour 80
Booked Gallagher

Brighton Tom McGill, Hamish Morrison, Mamadou Kone, Tareq Shihab, Ben Clark-Eden, Hayden Roberts, Isaac Hutchinson, Jordan Araujo (Teddy Hoare 64), Stefan Ljubicic (Charlie Ferguson 78), Dan Cashman (Ryan Longman 67), Alex Cochrane
Unused subs Cameron Tutt, George Bentley

Highlights Video