The game got off to a bright start at the Knighthead Training and Academy Grounds, with Mheuka opening the scoring. His 22nd goal of the season across all competitions gave Chelsea a one-goal advantage at the interval.

Although Birmingham pulled the score level early in the second half through Aurelien Gurnier, the set-back did not faze the Blues, as Kavuma-McQueen netted his first Under-21s goal of 2026 to restore the lead.

During the final 10 minutes of normal time, substitute McMahon added his first goal of the season with a fine low strike, before Kavuma-McQueen completed his brace just three minutes later, sealing a 4-1 victory and closing out the game in style.

Chelsea saw out the remainder of the match comfortably, taking all three points back to Cobham, cementing the Under-21s’ place at the top of the Premier League 2 table and providing momentum as the play-offs approach.

Early pressure

The Blues began the fixture at a high tempo, quickly adapting to the challenge of playing away from home. From the opening whistle, we pressed high, applying immediate pressure on Birmingham’s defence and looking to impose ourselves early.

Our first real chance came through winger Kavuma-McQueen, who had been relentless from the start. Using his pace to find space on the flank, he drove into the penalty area and curled an effort toward the far corner. It looked destined for the net, but the woodwork denied him, the ball crashing off the post as we searched for an early breakthrough.

Despite Chelsea’s bright start, the hosts soon threatened from a set-piece. A dangerous free-kick was whipped into the box and met by Birmingham’s William Burrell, who rose well to glance a header goalwards. However, shot-stopper Teddy Sharman-Lowe reacted superbly, stretching to push the effort away and keep the scores level in the opening exchanges.

Composed strike

That moment did little to disrupt Chelsea’s rhythm and our persistence was rewarded just after the half-hour mark. The move began with a superb long, looping kick from Sharman-Lowe, launched straight down the middle of the pitch. Mheuka reacted quickest, racing onto the delivery to find himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Showing great composure, the striker rounded Will O'Sullivan before calmly firing the ball into the bottom corner, giving the Blues a well-deserved lead at Birmingham City’s training ground.

After taking the lead, we continued to dictate possession through midfield and looked to extend the advantage before the interval. Despite sustained pressure, the scoreline remained unchanged as the first half concluded, Mheuka’s cool finish separating the sides at the break.

The intensity of the second half picked up immediately, with the Blues almost doubling our advantage early on. A sharp move saw Leo Cardoso connect with Genesis Antwi, who cleverly cut the ball back for Kavuma-McQueen. The winger got onto the delivery inside the penalty area, but his low, drilled effort drifted just wide after taking a deflection off a Birmingham City defender.

Kavuma-McQueen wasn’t finished there. Moments later, he linked up with midfielder Reggie Walsh and worked the ball just outside the area before unleashing a venomous right-footed strike. O'Sullivan reacted well, keeping the effort out to deny the Blues a second.

Pulled back even

Despite controlling much of the game, the hosts struck unexpectedly to level the score. Caleb Sanders delivered a low cross into the box, where striker Gurnier managed to stretch full length and stab the ball into the back of the net from close range, making it 1-1.

Substitute Jesse Derry made an instant impact as he looked to restore our lead. Using his pace and tricky footwork, he danced into the penalty area and unleashed a powerful effort, but O'Sullivan was equal to it, keeping the ball out to deny the Blues.

Back in front!

Chelsea didn’t have to wait long to retake the lead. Following a high press, Walsh spotted Kavuma-McQueen inside the area. The winger made a clever movement to create space before shifting onto his right foot and drilling the ball past O'Sullivan to restore Chelsea’s advantage.

With momentum firmly on our side in the closing stages, the Blues quickly added a third. Derry’s shot on target was saved, but midfielder McMahon was quickest to react, burying the rebound into the bottom corner to claim his first goal of the 2025/26 campaign.

The floodgates had been opened as Chelsea found our rhythm. Kavuma-McQueen once again produced a brilliant solo run, drifting past defenders before unleashing an unstoppable strike from inside the area - a truly clinical finish to cap off a dominant display from the winger.

Chelsea then saw out the remainder of the match comfortably, including eight minutes of stoppage time, ensuring all three Premier League 2 points returned to Cobham.

What it means

Following this result, Chelsea Under-21s move to the top of the Premier League 2 table, having secured our 12th victory of the campaign. We now sit two points clear of second-placed Liverpool, with a game in hand.

What's next

Chelsea Under-21s will host Sunderland in our next Premier League 2 fixture on Saturday 14 March at Kingsmeadow, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm. Tickets are available for the match. Chelsea season ticket holders (men’s and women’s), members and Under-20s can claim a free ticket. General sale tickets are priced at £4.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Teddy Sharman-Lowe; Genesis Antwi, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Justin Osagie (Harrison McMahon 69), Calvin Diakite (Kaiden Wilson 60); Kiano Dyer (Shaun Wade 87), Ollie Harrison, Reggie Walsh; Leo Cardoso (Jesse Derry 60), Shumaira Mheuka (c), Ryan Kavuma-McQueen
Unused sub: Hudson Sands
Scorers: Mheuka 32, Kavuma-McQueen 74, 85, McMahon 82
Booked: Dyer 38, Kavuma-McQueen 74

Birmingham City (4-2-3-1): Will O'Sullivan, Riquelme Thompson-Jones (Alex Ranson 86), Jack Quirk (Dynaeo Martin-Moore h-t), Yusuf Ahmed, Trae Briscoe, William Burrell, Caleb Sanders, Louie Rea, Aurelien Gurnier (Nikolai Degtiarev 86), Zaid Betteka (Alvaro Ruiz Rente 90+3), Alezandro Da Silva
Unused sub: Szymon Terenowicz
Scorer: Gurnier 62
Booked: Betteka 45+3, Ahmed 90+4