Two second-half goals were the undoing of our young team on Wednesday afternoon as the chances for the Blues came and went. Ronnie Stutter and Jimi Tauriainen were the brightest sparks for Ed Brand's side but a clinical Fulham found the net on the two occasions that mattered and took the points to progress in to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Cagey first half

Brand’s young Chelsea team started the game strongly. Bringing the game to Fulham from the first whistle. Stutter had fired over form Richard Olise’s low centre within two minutes of action.

After Chelsea’s opening chance, Fulham switched on and grew into the game with each passing minute, although their possession was nothing more than just that.

The best chance of the first half came at the midpoint. Tauriainen burst in to the box after some neat midfield play and unleashed a powerful shot with his favoured left foot, and only the crossbar would deny us an opener.

To end the half Chelsea were asked to defend strongly by Fulham’s rapid attack. Teddy Curd made a flying save to keep out the first shot before Brodi Hughes was alert to cover his keeper and make a block on the line from the resulting effort.

Visitors strike twice

Chelsea were back out for the second half and almost found the goal within minutes, Stutter again with the chance after Tauriainen’s accurate pass but the young forward saw his shot stopped by the Fulham keeper.

As we entered the final 20 minutes a place in the next stage was up for grabs for either Fulham or Chelsea and the end-to-end action reflected what was at stake. Lively forward Stutter saw our best chance pass by as he could only find the side netting.

Just as the majority of play was in Chelsea’s favour, a Fulham counter provided the visitors with the break-through goal. An attempt from just inside the area was slammed into the roof of the net for the advantage.

The second Fulham goal came two minutes from time. The visitors pounced on a loose defensive pass and converted the chance to double the lead and with that, our Under-17 Premier League Cup run ended at the group stage.

Chelsea Teddy Curd; Luke Badley-Morgan (c), Brodi Hughes, Billy Gee; Richard Olise Lewis Hall, Leo Castledine Jimi Tauriainen; Edwin Andersson (Louis Flower 83); Aleksi Heino (Zain Silcott-Duberry 55) Ronnie Stutter (Emran Soglo 88)Unused subs Max MerrickBooked Hughes 62