The Under 18s returned to domestic action at the weekend after their United States visit but despite twice taking the lead, were unable to a record a fourth straight league win.

Once again it was a profitable day for 17-year-old striker Frank Nouble who netted both goals, giving him a scoring run of eight in ten games including the last week's tournament in New Jersey.

Before Nouble's first, Ben Gordon (pictured above, courtesy Mark Sandom), who played left-wing rather than his more accustomed full-back role, had a good chance as the young Blues started the game at Cobham brightly.

The goal when it came was a good one. Keeper Jan Sebek had succeeded with a risky short ball and Chelsea came out from the back, straight through the middle of Norwich's high back line. Nouble, played through, went round the keeper and slotted it in.

However shortly after the ball was played up to Norwich front player Johnbull Omoregie who looked to have controlled it with his hand before scoring in off the post.

The lead was re-established when Gordon chased down a lost cause and showing good pace, ran through to the bye-line and cut back a lovely pass for Nouble (pictured below) to finish.

Norwich's equaliser came early in the second-half after the Blues defence missed a header and the ball was played inside left back Patrick van Aanholt for Norwich's Luke Daley to score.

Chelsea had another couple of half-chances before the end without creating anything clear cut.

Youth team manager Paul Clement reports:

'Overall the performance was average but I am pleased to be unbeaten in four which keeps us up the top end of the table.

'The officials did not see the handball offence in Norwich's first goal so we were a little disappointed to concede that but we responded well.

'With their second goal, Patrick van Aanholt was back from seven weeks out with injury so had started to fatigue and lost concentration and one of the factors in this game was an inability to maintain our high intensity or create as many chances as we have been doing recently.

'This was because of the fatigue factor as including the tournament in the US, we have played seven games in two weeks and we looked a little weary.

'So overall I am satisfied and now we build into the FA Youth Cup tie. We have Charlton away next week and then Man United. That game being played at Old Trafford will be a great experience for everybody.'

Chelsea Jan Sebek, Nikki Ahamed, Jack Saville, Billy-Joe King, Patrick van Aanholt (Josh McEachran); Jordan Tabor, Conor Clifford, Daniel Philliskirk (c) (Marko Mitrovic); Jacopo Sala, Frank Nouble, Ben Gordon (Aliu Djalo).

Highlights of this game can be seen on Chelsea TV's Blues News and Inside the Academy programmes.