The Blues showed commitment throughout the 90 minutes against League Two leaders Walsall. The first half required disciplined defensive organisation and Chelsea stood firm with several stand-out saves from Gaga Slonina, who showcased the experience he gained in senior footbal during his loan at Barnsley last season. The sides went into the break level.

The second half saw Chelsea return determined to find a breakthrough. Dujuan Richards remained a constant threat in the final third and Sol Gordon came close, but Walsall goalkeeper Sam Hornby produced an outstanding performance to keep the home side in the game. After a hard-fought 90 minutes the match finished goalless.

The outcome was decided by a penalty shootout, although both teams took a point for the initial draw. The young Blues gave our all but the senior hosts edged the penalties, taking the extra bonus point and bringing Chelsea’s EFL Trophy campaign to an end.

Early focus

Our final EFL Vertu Trophy fixture started at a measured pace, with the Blues gradually settling into the rhythm of facing senior opposition on the road. Chelsea enjoyed early spells of possession, with Kaiden Wilson looking to exploit space behind the Walsall defence by sending several looping passes toward Deivid Washington, who worked tirelessly to apply pressure in the final third.

The hosts registered the first sight of goal when Albert Adomah tried his luck from distance, but Slonina was alert and rose confidently to claim the whipped effort.

Walsall then created the first clear chance of the match. A swift move down the flank saw Charlie Lakin drive into the area before cutting back for Vincent Harper, whose fierce low strike was met by another strong stop from Slonina, who got down quickly to keep the Blues level.

Despite the pressure, Chelsea remained composed and continued to play out from the back, gradually regaining control as the half-hour mark approached.

Walsall responded with a spell of pressure. Jide Okeke flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal, which Slonina, impressive throughout, punched clear. Harper recycled the play and delivered another cross, this time finding Jamille Matt in a central position, but the striker’s powerful header flew narrowly wide.

The Saddlers maintained their momentum as the interval approached. Once again, Lakin found space on the wing and picked out Matt inside the box, but our keeper stood firm to deny him.

Chelsea then produced our first real opportunity for home goalkeeper Hornby to save. Deivid drove down the left with pace, cut inside and curled a promising effort toward goal, but Hornby was equal to it.

The young Blues continued to show resilience and ambition at both ends of the pitch. The final chance of the half was created by Under-18s defender Lewi Richards, stepping up into McFarlane’s squad. He lofted a deep ball into the area, and Dujuan Richards connected with a glancing touch, but his effort drifted just wide of the far post.

The teams went into the break goalless at the Bescot Stadium, with the Blues knowing everything was still to play for.

Battle continues

Both sides returned for the second half with renewed intensity, each determined to break the deadlock. Dujuan Richards was first to threaten, driving a low strike just wide of the target. Walsall responded quickly as Ryan Finnigan tried his luck from distance, but his effort sailed over the crossbar, easing the pressure on the Blues.

The Saddlers continued to press for an opener. Okeke showed quick feet to beat Kian Best before finding Matt in the box, but the striker’s low attempt rolled narrowly past the post.

Chelsea then produced a strong spell of our own. Dujuan Richards remained at the heart of the attack and went close again, whipping a powerful right-footed effort just inches wide - an excellent strike that had the goalkeeper beaten.

The Jamaican forward continued to trouble the home defence, creating another brilliant opportunity soon after. Cutting inside from the left, he bent a well-placed strike toward the bottom corner, only for Hornby to make a superb diving save.

We pressed for a late breakthrough as the pressure mounted. Best delivered a teasing free-kick into the area, where substitute Gordon met it with a glancing header, but the effort drifted agonisingly wide.

In the final moments of normal time, Dujuan Richards squared a quick ball into the box for Gordon, who slid in to connect, but Hornby once again stood firm to block the effort. Six minutes of added time were then signalled, but it wasn't enough for the Blues to find a late winner.

Chelsea Under-21s were taken to penalties for the first time in this season’s competition, with both teams taking one point, and competing from the spot for an additional bonus point, although it was academic for the Blues, as we needed all three to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

The shootout began in our favour as the hosts missed their opening attempt and Kian Best confidently converted to give us the advantage. Schoolboys Andrew Pennie and Gabriel Sambou also showed great bravery to step up and take penalties, but we fell behind and when Walsall converted their final spot-kick it brought a challenging evening to a close.

The shootout

Adomah - missed, over the bar. 0-0
Best - finished into the top corner. 0-1
Clarke - sent the keeper the wrong way, scores in the bottom corner. 1-1
Walsh - goalkeeper saved, guessed the right way. 1-1
Straw - scored into the bottom corner. 2-1
Pennie - effort went wide. 2-1
Jellis - sent the keeper the wrong way and scored. 3-1
Sambou - finished confidently into the bottom corner. 3-2
Okeke - found the bottom corner. 4-2 - Walsall win

What it means

As a result of this outcome, Chelsea are now eliminated from the EFL Vertu Trophy at the end of the group stage.

What's next

Next up, Chelsea Under-21s will be in Premier League 2 action on Friday night, taking on Everton at 7pm. The match will be available to watch free of charge on the Chelsea Official App and website.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Gaga Slonina; Kian Best, Kaiden Wilson, Justin Osagie, Lewi Richards (Gabriel Sambou 85); Ollie Harrison (c) (Reggie Walsh 61), Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Kobe Barbour (Andrew Pennie 85); Frankie Runham (Isaac Badu 73), Deivid Washington (Sol Gordon 61), Dujuan Richards
Unused subs: Max Merrick, Harrison Murray-Campbell
Booked: Runham 20, Osagie 63

Walsall (5-3-2): Sam Hornby, Priestley Farquharson, Charlie Lakin (McLloyd Oben 74), Jamille Matt (c) (Paul Makavore 74), Vincent Harper, Daniel Cox, Jid Okeke, Ryan Finnigan (Jamie Jellis 62), Rico Richards (Courtney Clarke 62), Rico Browne (Stan Straw 74), Albert Adomah
Unused subs: Jenson Kilroy, Dylan Thomas
Booked: Harper 45