Despite a positive start from the Chelsea Under-21s, Oxford United took control and maintained it for the majority of the game, as the Blues struggled to handle our opponents’ crosses into the box.

Our biggest chance was arguably our only clear-cut opportunity over the course of the game and it fell to Somto Boniface, whose effort was saved excellently.

Josh Murphy scored a brace with Sonny Perkins, Jordan Thorniley and Mark Harris scoring the other goals on the night.

Mark Robinson’s assistants Jack Mesure and James Simmonds were in charge from the touchline, due to our head coach’s absence because of illness.

Positive exchanges

The young Blues started positively as we probed early on, keeping the home side on the back foot. A lovely team move almost resulted in a fantastic goal, as our boys passed the ball from back to front. It ended with Josh Brooking playing Boniface in with only the keeper to beat, but James Beadle spread himself well to make the save.

We were giving the second-placed side in League One problems with our high-energy start.

Momentum swing

The home side went close from a corner, as Stephan Negru flicked goalwards, and Eddie Beach was required to tip the ball over the bar.

With the momentum in their favour, Oxford United went ahead and it came through Perkins, who was on the receiving end of a Murphy cross into the box.

The lead was doubled soon after when we failed to clear our lines from a cross into the box, and the ball fell kindly to Thorniley to tuck away through the legs of Beach.

Our goalkeeper had to be sharp to stop a shot from the dangerous Murphy, who looked threatening for the whole first period. We had shouts for a penalty waved away despite Alex Matos looking like he had been pushed over in the box.

Perkins went close early in the second half with a left-footed shot, which just went over the bar. We had an effort of our own early on and Jimmy-Jay Morgan smashed his effort from inside the box over the bar.

Gatlin O’Donkor pounced on a loose back pass from Boniface, but the striker failed to convert as he looked certain to score.

A straight ball through the middle of our defence allowed Murphy to run through on goal and drill past Beach to give his side their third and seal the victory 20 minutes from time. Beach had to then make a great stop to tip the ball over from second-half substitute Mark Harris’ shot.

Murphy got his brace by being first to Tyler Goodrham’s cross, scoring the Us’ fourth goal of the game. Second-half substitute Harris scored Oxford’s fifth goal, using his speed to beat our high line and then composing himself to smash past Beach.

It was a tough loss as the Blues end our EFL Trophy journey in Group N with two defeats and one penalty shoot-out win.

What next?

The Under-21s turn their attention to the Premier League 2, where we will take on Leeds United on Sunday 12 November away from home.

Chelsea (3-4-1-2): Eddie Beach; Josh Brooking, Alfie Gilchrist (c) (Zain Silcott-Duberry 85), Dylan Williams; Brodi Hughes, Alex Matos, Sam Rak-Sakyi (Harrison McMahon 85), Somto Boniface (Billy Gee 65); Leo Castledine; Ronnie Stutter (Donnell McNeilly 85), Jimmy Jay-Morgan (Tyrique George 65)
Unused subs: Max Merrick, Kaiden Wilson
Booked: Gee 82

Oxford United (4-2-3-1): James Beadle; Ciaron Brown (c), Jordan Thorniley, Oisin Smyth, Fin Stevens (Leo Snowden 83); Sonny Perkins (Mark Harris 66), James Henry (Tyler Goodrham 46); Josh Murphy, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin (Josh McEachran 72), Stephen Negru; Gaitlin O’Donkor (Ruben Rodrigues 66)
Unused subs: Monty Marriott, Elliott Moore
Scorers: Perkins 15, Thorniley 18, Murphy 71, 78, Harris 90+1
Booked: Thorniley 85