Post-Match Report

Match report: Arsenal U-18s 2-1 Chelsea

Chelsea U18 -

Sobha Realty Training Centre
U18 Premier League South
U18 Premier League South
  Arsenal U18
      
                  Flores (21)
                   Ogungbo (49)
            
   crest
Arsenal U18
Flores (21)
Ogungbo (49)
2 1
  Chelsea U18
      
              Soonsup-Bell (16)
          
   crest
Chelsea U18
Soonsup-Bell (16)

WHAT HAPPENED

Our under-18s came from a goal behind to secure a crucial win over Chelsea on Tuesday.

 

It was a less-than-ideal start for Ken Gillard's side who, after securing their FA Youth Cup quarter-final place last week, began on the back foot against a high-flying Blues side.

 

Jude Soonsup-Bell climbed highest to meet Charlie Webster's corner, and head past Ovie Ejeheri into the Arsenal net.

 

We nearly hit back straight away, when Zach Awe was brought down on the edge of the box. Omari Hutchinson rolled the free-kick to Kido Taylor-Hart but he couldn't keep his shot down from 10 yards.

 

But we would soon find our equaliser - and in spectacular fashion, too. Hutchinson laid a loose ball into Marcelo Flores' path on the halfway line and, after exchanging passes with Khayon Edwards on the edge of the box, our No 10 arrowed an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

 

Chelsea had an opportunity to restore their lead on the stroke of half-time when Silko Thomas broke at pace down the left-hand side, but Ejeheri was equal to Jayden Wareham's 20-yard effort.

 

Instead, we took the advantage. Just four minutes after the restart, Jack Henry-Francis threaded a perfectly-weighted ball through to Mazeed Ogungbo, who slotted home at the near post.

 

Chelsea could have levelled moments later when Webster lofted in another set-piece, but Ejeheri was alert to keep out Jimi Tauriainen's header, before Henry-Francis cleared Wareham's follow-up off the line to seal three hard-earned points for our young Gunners.

WHAT IT MEANS

WHAT'S NEXT

Up next we face Leicester City on Saturday, April 24.

 

The game will take place at the Leicester City FC Academy with kick-off at 11am (UK time). 

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