After a demanding week that included a Tuesday night trip to Northampton Town in the Vertu Trophy, the Blues struggled to find our rhythm in a challenging first half, and went into the interval behind after a strike from Andre Vidigal.

We came out in the second half with renewed energy and aggression, but a second goal from Vidigal gave the visitors breathing space.

Hope returned when substitute Derry made an immediate impact, scoring just two minutes after Stoke’s second goal. But, despite a valiant effort and some promising chances, it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.

Early tests

The visitors started the brighter of the two sides, immediately applying pressure and forcing the Blues into early defensive action.

Defender Harrison Murray-Campbell stood firm at the back, showing real authority, while our keeper Ted Curd remained alert to deny Raphael-Pijus Otegbayo’s early header.

Stoke continued to probe, and Vidigal delivered a dangerous ball into the box that Kaiden Wilson rose well to head clear. From the resulting corner, the Potters struck the woodwork; it was a clear warning that this was shaping up to be a fierce contest.

Despite the early pressure, Chelsea gradually grew into the game. Some neat interplay between Genesis Antwi and Leo Cardoso saw us push further into Stoke’s half, with Ryan Kavuma-McQueen the first to test Stoke keeper True Grant with a drilled low strike that was saved.

As we approached the 20-minute mark, our midfield began to assert control. Harrison McMahon was influential in the middle of the park, driving play forward alongside Reggie Walsh, both seeking to link up with striker Shumaira Mheuka.

However, the visitors’ physically imposing defence proved difficult to break down, limiting us mostly to half-chances.

Pressing for a breakthrough

The game settled into a cagey rhythm as the half progressed. Chelsea enjoyed more possession but continued to be frustrated in the final third.

Kavuma-McQueen remained a constant threat down the wing and cut inside and unleashed another low strike from just inside the box. However, this time a Stoke defender made a crucial block to deny the winger.

Our closest opportunity came from a well-worked set-piece. A dangerous corner was nodded back into the danger zone by Murray-Campbell, where Landon Emenalo met it at the near post with a firm header. A goal-line clearance kept the score level.

That missed opportunity proved costly as the Potters then broke the deadlock. After pushing forward with real intent, Jaden Mears was able to guide the ball into the path of Vidigal, who took a deft touch and calmly slotted home from close range.

We pushed for a response in the closing minutes of the half. Emenalo delivered a dangerous corner that found Murray-Campbell at the back post, but his header lacked the precision needed and drifted just wide of the woodwork.

With that, the Blues went into the break a goal down, fully aware that there was plenty of work to do in the second half.

The Blues returned after the break determined to find an equaliser. Under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane made a tactical change, as Dujuan Richards replaced Walsh.

It was clear we were the brighter side after the restart, showing renewed energy and urgency, and Kavuma-McQueen unleashed a fierce shot from a tight angle that the Stoke keeper did well to keep out.

Cardoso was lurking in the penalty area, poised to smash the rebound home, but a resolute Stoke defender managed to block well.

The momentum briefly shifted to the other end when Favour Fawunmi curled a chipped effort from inside the box, but Curd was alert to scoop up the ball and deny Stoke a further lead.

McFarlane made another switch, introducing winger Derry in place of Kavuma-McQueen. He made an immediate impact, injecting fresh pace and relentlessly pressing the Potters’ defence.

Yet despite Chelsea’s increased tempo, Stoke struck again. After a long, looping free-kick forward, Murray-Campbell won the ball but passed back to Curd. Under pressure, the goalkeeper lost possession, which allowed the Stoke forward to complete his brace.

Hitting back

Chelsea’s captain responded with a curling effort that looked destined for the top corner, only for Grant to produce a superb diving save to keep Stoke ahead.

Moments later, Derry – who had been a constant threat after his introduction – found the net with a stunning finish. From a floated corner delivered by Emenalo, the loose ball fell kindly to the winger, who was unmarked inside the box and calmly drilled it home to bring Chelsea back into the contest.

Derry continued to cause problems and produced a brilliant cross that was headed home by Mheuka. However, the offside flag was raised.

We were gaining momentum and Richards came close with a powerful, low strike that appeared destined for the net. However, the ball drifted agonisingly wide.

For the remainder of the contest, Chelsea applied pressure. With five minutes of stoppage time added, the Blues refused to relent, battling fiercely until the final whistle. It was a nail-biting finish, with a sense that a late goal was coming.

Derry had the final chance of the game, but his powerful effort flew over the bar, leaving the score at 2-1.

What's next

Some of the boys involved in today’s fixture will feature for our Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League match against Benfica, which kicks off at 3pm today at Cobham.

Chelsea Under-21s will next be in action in Premier League 2 on Sunday 5th October, when we travel north to face Burnley at their training ground. Kick-off is scheduled for midday.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Ted Curd; Genesis Antwi, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Landon Emenalo; Ollie Harrison, Reggie Walsh (Dujuan Richards h-t), Harrison McMahon; Leo Cardoso (Sam Rak-Sakyi 78), Shumaira Mheuka (c), Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Jesse Derry 58)
Unused subs: Max Merrick, Richard Olise
Scorer: Derry 75

Stoke City: True Grant, Jaden Mears, Laurence Giani, Jaden Dixon (c), Raphael-Pijus Otegbayo, Jake Griffin, Favour Fawunmi (Japhet Matondo 86), Owen Powell (Max Harrison 86), Jerome Kyremeh (Lewis Baker 76), Oghosaiwi Enabulele, Andre Vidigal (Chinonso Chibueze 90+1)
Unused sub: Caleb Clothier
Scorer: Vidigal 40, 73
Booked: Powell 83