Under-18s report: Fulham 3-3 Chelsea | News | Official Site

Chelsea began the day with a small probability of claiming the Beneath-18 Premier League southern title with a win over Fulham, if different outcomes went out means. Nonetheless, the title race will proceed into Could after we have been held to an entertaining draw at Motspur Park.

We fell behind when goalkeeper Kai Crampton was dispossessed on the sting of the field, struggling an damage within the course of, however Tyrique George around the Fulham keeper to attract us degree in first-half stoppage time.

Donnell McNeilly then fired us into the lead twice within the second half, however on every event the house facet have been in a position to hit again, making it 3-3 on the ultimate whistle.

Blues go behind

The Blues began the higher of the 2 groups, as Ato Ampah pressured the primary save of the sport from the Fulham goalkeeper and George had a purpose dominated out for offside. However simply shy of half-an-hour in it was Fulham who took the lead, when Tom Wingate challenged goalkeeper Crampton on the sting of the field to attain.

Chelsea had a very good probability to equalise following a succession of corners. This one ended with George simply exterior the field, scooping a cross over the outrushing Fulham defenders for Ampah, nevertheless it was a troublesome one for the winger with the ball dropping over his shoulder and he volleyed too near the keeper.

It was the identical story a couple of minutes later when George was once more the creator, drawing defenders in earlier than squaring for McNeilly, whose low shot was saved.

There was an extra setback for the Blues earlier than half-time, although, when Crampton was unable to proceed after selecting up an damage in conceding the purpose. He went off to get replaced by schoolboy Jack Austin, making his debut at this degree.

All degree by the break

We almost had a lucky purpose of our personal. George gave Ollie Harrison house to cross from the left with a intelligent back-heel and the midfielder’s looping supply drifted goalward and dropped past the keeper’s attain, however hit the again submit.

The equaliser appeared to be coming, and on the stroke of half-time we have been degree. George, who had regarded most certainly to create the purpose, scored it. It was a beautiful through-ball by Reiss Denny to set him free and, when the goalkeeper hesitated coming off his line, George punished him. A dummy, a left-foot contact to take it spherical him and a peaceful right-foot end, and it was 1-1 going into the break.

It was an attacking begin to the second half with some harmful ahead play by each groups, however neither was in a position to actually check the goalkeeper within the opening phases, our greatest effort a Kaiden Wilson header on the again submit from a nook which was comfortably saved.

Chelsea forward twice

Earlier than lengthy Chelsea had taken the lead for the primary time within the recreation, although. Harrison Murray-Campbell charged ahead on the suitable and delivered a teasing low cross in direction of the again submit. George didn’t hit his tried end cleanly, however Denny confirmed fast pondering to select up the ball within the field and sq. for McNeilly to brush in a close-range end.

Sadly, our lead didn’t final lengthy. There didn’t appear to be an excessive amount of hazard when Seth Ridgeon received possession on the midway line, however he carried the ball ahead and stored going, profiting from a Travis Akomeah slip on his means into the field earlier than ending into the underside nook.

Fulham loved a threatening spell after their equaliser, however the Blues have been in a position to retake the lead with slightly over 10 minutes remaining. Captain and centre-back Akomeah made amends for his earlier stumble by striding out from defence and taking part in in McNeilly. The striker held off the Fulham gamers within the field and his left-footed end took a deflection, serving to it over the keeper, who had gone to floor early.

Factors shared

There was nonetheless one other twist left on this recreation, although, and disappointingly for the Blues it was a Fulham equaliser, substitute Macauley Zepa – who had solely been on the pitch for a minute – slotting in from just a few yards out after Harrison McMahon’s good last-ditch sort out solely delayed the house staff’s purpose.

Chelsea continued to push for the winner till the ultimate whistle, however there was to be no victory at the moment.

What it means

Chelsea stay prime of the Beneath-18 Premier League southern desk, however our lead over West Ham United has been reduce to 2 factors, with Arsenal nonetheless within the race an extra 5 behind. 5 factors from our remaining 4 fixtures would make us southern champions no matter what different groups do.

What’s subsequent

We now have the prospect to increase our benefit within the desk to 5 factors after we host Leicester Metropolis at Cobham in one in all our two remaining video games in hand subsequent Saturday 27 April. Kick-off will at 12pm.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Kai Crampton (Jack Austin 42); Harrison Murray-Campbell, Travis Akomeah (c), Kaiden Wilson, Genesis Antwi; Harrison McMahon, Ollie Harrison (Rio Ngumoha 75); Ato Ampah (Frankie Runham 68), Reiss Denny, Tyrique George; Donnell McNeilly
Unused Subs: Saheed Olagunju, Shaun Wade
Scorers: George 45+2, McNeilly 58, 78
Booked: Wilson 30, Denny 64

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Marco Underwood, Brad De Jesus, Bradley Slade, Chibuzo Nwoko, Samuel Amissah, Samuel Tabares (Jonathon Esenga 86), Thomas Olyott (Macauley Zepa 82), Seth Ridgeon, Aaron Loupalo-Bi, Tom Wingate (Farhaan Ali Wahid 64), Lemar Gordon
Unused subs: Oscar Varney, Macauley Zepa, Damon Park, Jonathan Esenga, Farhaan Ali Wahid
Scorers: Wingate 27, Ridgeon 67, Zepa 83
Booked: Nwoko 85