Chelsea's youth side was beaten 2-1 away at Norwich on Saturday afternoon, but coach Dermot Drummy was able to take away plenty of positives.

Despite taking the lead towards the end of the first half, the lads were outmuscled by a strong home side, and had to soak up more than their fair share of pressure.

'We made a good start and played some really good football, creating chances, eventually going ahead in the 44th minute from a Josh McEachran corner, Kenny Strickland firing home with a great finish,' Drummy reported.

Sadly though we went to sleep and the home side scored immediately before half-time through Patrick Drmola. The Blues' defence didn't deal well with a ball that landed in their defensive third and the Norwich forward managed to get hold of the ball and finish past Sam Walker.

'I felt we were overrun in the second half, they were a lot stronger than us, but we still created chances, which was pleasing. Bobby Devyne put in a great cross for his strike partner Marko Mitrovic, which he normally puts away,' Drummy explained.

'Then they got a sucker punch, first of all hitting the post and then when we lost the ball in midfield we were undone by the break, so on the reflection of play in the second half it was probably a fair result,' he conceded.

Keeper Sam Walker was particularly unlucky for the second goal, denying City man Danny Kelly one-on-one, only for George Francomb to follow up and tap into an empty net.

'Danny Mills and Kenny Strickland each played 45 minutes in the centre of defence as they will be involved with the reserves on Tuesday,' Drummy explained, 'and a number of the first years will go with the reserve team on Tuesday, so in terms of development we played seven first years, which is great for them.'

The coach was pleased in particular with one of his midfield men, first year scholar George Saville.

'He showed some great intelligence playing at the bottom of the diamond, and his use of the ball was excellent. He is frustrated because he is still young and waiting to grow, but he puts in a tackle and moves the ball well. We are really pleased with him,' Drummy said.

'[Academy Manager] Neil Bath has been very good, making sure those that haven't had a game get a game. It's not the idea of playing our best team and getting three points, but developing players.

'It is difficult for the boys because they want to win, but the nice thing on Saturday was that I didn't say a word on the touchline. The last few games I have been vociferous, but I let them get on, and they were really beginning to talk to each other, it shows how well they are developing and growing.'

Chelsea (4-4-2 diamond): Sam Walker; Ben Sampayo, Kenny Strickland (sub Danny Mills h-t), Tom Hayden, Billy Knott; George Saville, Billy Clifford (c), Josh McEachran (sub Aziz Deen-Conteh 84), Philipp Prosenik; Marko Mitrovic, Bobby Devyne.

The Chelsea Academy is next in competitive action on Saturday at home to Fulham, while the reserves are in action away to Wolves this Tuesday evening.

That game will be live on Chelsea TV, and Steve Holland's side will be looking to build on their 5-2 win over Portsmouth at the beginning of the month.