Spurs inflicted heavy defeat on our youngsters at Cobham in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but revenge at Hotspur Way today was sweet.

We were unable to build upon a dominant first-half display. Lively in attack were Silko Thomas and Joe Haigh but both were left frustrated by their lack of conversion.

The second half was more of the same from a Chelsea perspective and we took the lead two minutes after the restart.

Dion Rankine was the man to find the net and further chances followed but Thomas and Derrick Abu were both denied. In the end the Rankine goal proved enough for us to move on to 36 points in the league table.

Starting XI

Ed Brand named a changed side this morning. Schoolboys Lewis Hall an Brodi Hughes lined-up in defence ahead of fellow youngster Ted Curd in goal. Jude Soonsup-Bell led the line with Rankine and Thomas either side of the forward.

In the ascendance

We got underway at a wet and windy training centre in Enfield. From the first whistle, Chelsea had the upper hand. Our first shot on target came from Joe Haigh on the edge of the box. His strike after 15 minutes was easily saved by Adam Hayton in the home net.

Spurs responded quickly and this time a powerful hit from a tight angle forced our keeper Ted Curd into tipping the ball over the bar.

Our next chance didn’t take too long to come round. Silko Thomas volleyed at goal from the edge of box following a poorly cleared corner-kick. Luckily for Spurs it was deflected just wide of the target.

We were dominating the game and our best opportunity to score was yet to come. The move started with Charlie Webster on the left who punched the ball down line for Thomas to chase. The cross came and dropped to Haigh but the shot was again deflected wide.

Half-approach

Tottenham worked their way back into the game as we approached the break and were gaining momentum. A nice move was drilled wide by Romaine Mundle to conclude a good spell of play.

The final chance of the half was a Chelsea one. The wind caught the ball in the air and it bounced awkwardly but perfectly for Thomas to try his luck. It looked a certain goal but a flying save denied us a deserved first-half goal.

Inspired restart

We returned from the break in the mood for a goal and it wasn’t long before Rankine found the net. Great work on the left by Lewis Hall was finished off by Rankine who made the back post to tap home the low cross.

It could’ve been two after another excellent move on the left. Thomas chased a loose ball and moved it into the centre. A fantastic dummy by Soonsup-Bell took two defenders out the game and allowed Haigh to find the run of the former in the box. The shot eventually followed, but from a tight angle and we weren’t able to capitalise.

Further chances fell for the Blues from close range. The keeper twice saved well from Thomas strikes before Derrick Abu was crowded out on the penalty spot after he picked up the ball in a promising position.

Spurs chase

Our lead was slim and Tottenham were committing more men forward in and attempt to salvage something from the game.

After a few close shaves, we were left thanking the post for keeping our lead. Jamie Donley’s hit took a slight deflection and hit the post but thankfully dropped into the grateful hands of Curd.

In the final stages we were throwing bodies on the line to keep the lead and those actions ensured we finished the game with maximum points against our north London rivals.

What’s next?

Next up is the visit of Arsenal at Cobham on Wednesday morning. Kick-off is 11am.

Chelsea Ted Curd; Josh Brooking, Alfie Gilchrist, Brodi Hughes Lewis Hall (Derrick Abu 69); Bashir Humphreys; Charlie Webster Joe Haigh; Dion Rankine, Jude Soonsup-Bell (Jayden Wareham 71), Silko Thomas (Jimi Tauriainen 85)Unused subs Sami Tlemcani, Edwin AnderssonScorer Rankine 47

Spurs Adam Hayton, Jordan Hackett, Marqes Muir, Maksim Paskotsi, Dante Cassanova (Renaldo Torraj 74), Yahoo Alonso, Michael Craig, Kallum Cesay, Roshaun Mathurin, Jamie Donley, Romaine MundleUnused subs Aaron Maguire, Jezreel Davies, Khalon Haysman, Jeremy Kyezu