Our first Premier League 2 fixture got off to a feisty opening as the action flowed at either end, with both sides eager to make a positive start to the new campaign.

Chelsea finally found the breakthrough our first-half performance deserved in stoppage time, as Shumaira Mheuka rose superbly to head home and send the Blues into the interval with the lead.

Just two minutes after the restart, the forward struck again in similar fashion, meeting Genesis Antwi’s pinpoint cross to double our advantage at Kingsmeadow.

Manchester City responded with a goal of their own, but it did little to shift the momentum. Mheuka completed his hat-trick with a composed finish late on to restore our two-goal cushion and secure a hard-fought 3–1 victory over the Premier League 2 title holders.

Intense start

We almost struck early through a fine piece of movement. Midfielder Ollie Harrison clipped a brilliant ball over the top for Leo Cardoso, who used his speed and footwork to weave into the penalty area before unleashing a low strike that rolled agonisingly wide of the far post.

City responded quickly with a chance of their own. Ashton Muir tried his luck from distance, but his low effort skidded wide without troubling Ted Curd in goal. It was clear this was shaping up to be an entertaining contest.

As the game settled, our captain for the evening, Mheuka, surged forward with intent and powered a strike on target. City’s keeper reacted well, holding firmly to deny us the breakthrough.

Chelsea pushed on with more neat attacking play. Cardoso once again showed his energy on the flank, charging upfield before slipping a pass into Antwi. Our attacking right-back drove to the byline and cut the ball back into Cardoso’s path, but Jack Wint stood strong in goal to make another important block.

Our closest chance yet came courtesy of our first-year scholars. Reggie Walsh linked up well to feed Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, who struck sweetly from inside the area. His shot looked destined for the net, but City’s goalkeeper pulled off a stunning save to push it away.

The end-to-end exchanges continued. Kavuma-McQueen went close again when Mheuka picked him out in space, but the winger’s fierce effort flashed just across the face of goal. At the other end, Curd was called into action and produced a bold stop to deny Justin Oboavwoduo from close range.

Finally, the breakthrough

Moments before the half-time whistle, Chelsea got the goal our pressure deserved. After a spell of slick build-up play, Cardoso lifted a superb cross into the box. Mheuka rose highest and met it perfectly with a looping header that arched over the keeper and into the net, giving us a 1-0 lead at the break.

The Blues came out after the interval full of confidence, and it did not take long for Mheuka to strike again. After a driving move forward, Cardoso found Walsh, who released Antwi on the flank. His high cross was met by Mheuka, the striker rising above his marker to power home a thumping header and double our lead.

Just past the hour mark, there was a moment to remember as winger Jesse Derry replaced Kavuma-McQueen to make his Chelsea debut following his arrival in pre-season. Soon after, Dujuan Richards made his return to Premier League 2 action, coming off the bench for his first appearance since recovering from a long-term injury.

Despite Chelsea’s positive play, Manchester City halved the deficit when Jaden Samuel drilled in from a tight angle to make it 2–1 and set up a tense final spell.

Hat-trick hero!

Chelsea were unfazed, and our third goal arrived not long after - once again from our captain. A brilliant long-ball from Harrison Murray-Campbell found Mheuka, who held off his marker and sprinted onto it. Calm and composed, he moved in front of goal and finished with precision to complete his hat-trick.

The Blues continued to push for the remainder of the Monday night fixture, maintaining our intensity until the final whistle, securing a well-earned first Premier League 2 victory of the season in front of the home supporters at Kingsmeadow.

What's next

Chelsea Under-21s continue our Premier League 2 campaign on Friday evening when we travel to Newcastle United, with kick-off at 7pm.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Ted Curd; Genesis Antwi (Richard Olise 90+3), Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Landon Emenalo; Ollie Harrison, Harrison McMahon, Reggie Walsh; Leo Cardoso (Dujuan Richards 76), Shumaira Mheuka (c), Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Jesse Derry 63)
Unused subs: Hudson Sands, Kian Best
Scorer: Mheuka 45+3, 47, 86
Booked: Kavuma-McQueen 61, Derry 65

Manchester City: Jack Wint, Lakyle Samuel, Kian Noble, Stephen Mfuni, Seb Naylor (Christian McFarlane 79), Jaden Heskey (c), Ashton Muir, Justin Oboavwoduo, Mahamadou Sangare (Ryan McAidoo 55), Divine Mukasa, Emilio Lawrence (Reigan Heskey 55)
Unused subs: Spike Brits, Femi Fapetu
Scorer: Samuel 78
Booked: McAidoo 75