The Blues went into today’s clash knowing they only needed one victory from their final two league matches to claim the southern title, due to the five-point gap over second-place West Ham United.

And whilst Southampton started really strongly, goals in either half from Ato Ampah and substitute Frankie Runham ensured Hassan Sulaiman marked his first full season in charge by claiming the Blues’ first Under-18 Premier League South title since 2018.

Chelsea will finish the regular season on Saturday by travelling to Arsenal before taking on northern champions Manchester United in the Under-18 Premier League final at a venue and on a date to be confirmed.

Saints come marching on

Southampton were on top in the opening stages and had a couple of dangerous chances, as Aston Daley had an effort blocked by Harrison Murray-Campbell and Tyler Dibling’s free-kick was tipped over.

Chelsea had to wait until the 20th minute for their first opportunity of note but when it did finally arrive, it resulted in the opening goal. Full-back Ishe Samuels-Smith burst forward down the left and his pull-back from the byline saw Ampah convert from ten yards out.

Southampton almost equalised immediately when Nicholas Oyekunle rounded the goalkeeper, only to see his shot cleared off the line by Olutayo Subuloye.

Almost another

The Blues thought they had a second goal when Tyrique George thumped a strike from 20 yards past the goalkeeper but the referee gave what appeared to be a harsh free-kick against Donnell McNeilly.

Chelsea enjoyed more possession after the opening goal but the Saints continued to carry a threat and Dibling rattled the stanchion behind the goal from 18 yards out following a swift counter-attack, as Will Merry also had an effort parried by Jack Austin shortly before the break.

Southampton equalised ten minutes after the restart when Daley struck a shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area.

Chelsea had several chances in quick succession midway through the half, as Harrison shot wide, George and Ampah had efforts blocked, Subuloye’s header forced a save and Denny shot over.

McNeilly had to show patience when it came to chances on the day but the striker almost found the bottom corner with a 20-yard strike which had to be tipped wide.

Title-winning goal

Chelsea did secure the crucial second goal they needed with nine minutes remaining though when good play from George wide left saw him pass to Runham and, with the help of a minor deflection, the substitute found the bottom corner from just outside the box.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Austin; Acheampong, Subuloye, Murray-Campbell, Samuels-Smith (Runham 68); Denny, Harrison; Ampah, George, Ngumoha (McMahon 68); McNeilly (Mheuka 71)
Substitutes not used: Bernal, Akomeah
Bookings: George 40, Harrison 53
Goals: Ampah 20, Runham 81

Southampton: Trialist, Williams, Meghoma, Sesay (Trialist 82), Boot (Moore 45), Dobson-Ventura, Dibling, Daley, Oyekunle (Pitts 66), Amo-Ameyaw (Ehibhationham 66), Merry
Substitutes not used: Upstell
Bookings: Moore 73, Meghoma 82, 90+3
Red card: Meghoma 90+3
Goals: Daley 55