http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~1412860,00.html
YOUTH REPORT: ARSENAL 2 CHELSEA 0
Posted on: Sun 05 Oct 2008
Chelsea's Under 18s faced a stiff derby challenge from a highly skilful
Arsenal outfit and were unable to prevent a defeat as constant pressure,
coupled with an unusual defensive frailty allowed the Gunners to cruise to
a comfortable victory.
A goal either side of the half-time break killed off the Blues, who were
unable to build on the impressive win over Ipswich the week before.
There were five changes to the side that thumped Ipswich as Ben Walker,
Marko Mitrovic, Billy Knott, Jacopo Sala (pictured) and Jack Saville were
drafted into the starting line-up.
However this made little immediate impact as Chelsea were starved of
possession in the early stages, seeking to counter-attack and use the
advantage of the swirling wind at London Colney.
Not until the 18th minute did Chelsea threaten, a free-kick from left-back
Jordan Tabor dangerously swung in from the right side only to be headed
out by Luke Ayling, the Arsenal captain.
But this proved the limit of Chelsea's advances forward as they were
pinned back for the rest of the half, their crossbar playing an important
role as twelfth man.
With Arsenal pressing, however, came Chelsea's best attack of the half.
Tabor's foraging down the left paid dividends as his slide-rule pass
released the tall Mitrovic who was cynically hauled back as he shaped to
shoot. The resulting free-kick was carefully struck by Sala, the Italian
just unable to achieve the necessary dip to carry the ball under the bar.
However, defensive fragility proved costly. A missed tackle in the centre
of defence allowed the Arsenal striker in on goal, his unerring strike
into the bottom left-hand corner beating the helpless Sam Walker in the
Chelsea goal.
The second half proved to be as unremitting as the first and once again a
defensive lapse allowed an unmarked Jonas Rasmussen to head down to
Arsenal striker Luke Freeman who bundled the ball into the net.
Arsenal slipped into cruise control from then on, any breaks by the
Chelsea full-backs let down by the quality of the final ball.
In contrast to the opposition Chelsea failed to slip the ball carefully
under the wind, choosing to play directly up to the tall Mitrovic, who was
ultimately replaced.
Nonetheless it was a determined performance from a young side full of
potential. Away to the league leaders was never an easy task and so it
proved, but with a strong core and undoubted flair this Chelsea side will
look to bounce back immediately when they take on Southampton at home next
Saturday.
Chelsea team:
Sam Walker, Nikki Ahamed, Jack Saville, Vincenzo Camilleri, Jordan Tabor,
Conor Clifford, Frank Nouble, Jacopo Sala,
Marko Mitrovic (sub Aliu Djalo), Billy Knott, Ben Gordon.
By Dominic Moger
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