The Blues started the brighter side at Walton Hall Park, eager to carry forward the momentum from our last Premier League 2 outing against Arsenal, where we secured a 2-1 victory.

Despite creating several promising opportunities, it was Everton who proved clinical in front of goal. Forward Jacob Beaumont-Clark broke the deadlock with just 10 minutes remaining in the first half, giving the hosts the lead.

Chelsea returned for the second half with the same determination, determined to get back into the game. Substitute Kobe Barbour made an immediate impact and thought he had restored parity when he found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed for a handball in the build-up.

Despite fighting until the final whistle, the Blues were unable to find a decisive breakthrough. Everton’s first-half strike proved enough to secure the result, Chelsea suffering defeat after back-to-back wins in the Premier League 2.

Early chances

Chelsea made a bright start on our travels up north, immediately putting the Toffees under pressure. Winger Ato Ampah looked lively from the off, driving at defenders and forcing the Everton back line onto the retreat.

Inside the opening 10 minutes, the Blues came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with the first clear chance of the game. Genesis Antwi, operating at left-back, sparked a sharp attacking move by finding Jesse Derry, who brilliantly drove into the box before scooping a pass to Ampah at the back post. From a tight angle, the winger’s effort fizzed across the face of goal, just inches wide.

Moments later, Ampah threatened again. Samuel Rak-Sakyi slipped a clever pass into his path, allowing the winger to hit a low strike on target, but George Pickford reacted well to make the save. It was an energetic opening from us, full of intent and purpose.

Striker Deivid Washington, making his second start of the week after Tuesday's EFL Trophy action against Walsall, was next to threaten. Rak-Sakyi spotted his clever run into the box and Deivid unleashed a powerful strike from a tight angle, only for the effort to fly just over the bar.

We continued to press and a well-worked set piece almost produced the opener. Derry’s deep free-kick found Harrison Murray-Campbell, whose touch looked destined for goal, before an Everton defender made a vital block.

Moments later, the hosts broke on the counter. Francis Gomez tested Max Merrick with a low drive, but the Chelsea keeper was equal to it, reacting sharply to keep the game level. Everton began to grow into the contest, with Beaumont-Clark trying his luck from distance, though his effort rolled harmlessly wide.

Toffees take their chance

Despite our control and confident build-up play, Everton struck against the run of play. Beaumont-Clark raced onto a long ball, took a sharp touch and finished calmly into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to give the hosts the lead.

The goalscorer nearly doubled his tally moments later with a close-range effort, but Merrick reacted superbly to push the strike away, keeping the Blues in the contest.

Determined to respond before the break, we continued to press. With just minutes remaining in the half, Murray-Campbell floated a teasing ball into the area, which Derry met with a delicate touch to set up Deivid. The striker’s powerful effort whistled just inches wide of the post.

Despite the sustained pressure and a first-half display full of attacking intent, the Blues went into the interval a goal down, with plenty of work still to do.

The second half started at a steady pace, with Chelsea probing for openings against Everton’s well-organised defence. We pushed forward with patience and purpose, seeking to break down a resolute Toffees back line as frustration began to mount.

To inject fresh energy into the attack, Under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane made a double change. Dujuan Richards replaced Derry, while Barbour came on for Lewi Richards, adding pace and intensity to Chelsea’s forward play.

The substitutions had an immediate impact. Barbour looked to have levelled the scores with a low strike that was initially blocked by the keeper, only for him to react quickest and tap in the rebound. However, Chelsea’s celebrations were cut short as the referee disallowed the goal for a possible handball in the build-up.

Still seeking

A series of chances followed for the Blues. Ampah went close with a precise low effort, but Pickford timed his dive perfectly to push the ball out for a corner.

Soon after, centre-back Kaiden Wilson unleashed a powerful strike from distance in search of the breakthrough. The effort was well struck, yet the Toffees’ keeper was equal to it, keeping Everton in front.

We continued to probe, looking for a way through. Richards floated in a cross, met by Rak-Sakyi with a flicked header, but it lacked the power to trouble Pickford, leaving the Blues increasingly desperate for a late equaliser as the game entered its final stages.

The referee added nine minutes of stoppage time, giving Chelsea a glimmer of hope and setting the stage for a tense finale.

In the seventh added minute, Murray-Campbell swung in a ball that deflected out to Dujuan Richards, whose clean strike cannoned against the woodwork, denying the Blues a dramatic late point and confirming a narrow one-goal defeat.

What's next

Our Under-21s return to Premier League 2 action on Saturday 8 December, when we take on Reading at Kingsmeadow, with kick-off at 2pm. Tickets are still available, so come along and show your support for the boys. Chelsea season ticket holders (for both the men’s and women’s teams), members and Under-20s are eligible for a free ticket, while general sale tickets are priced at £4.

In other Academy news, our Under-18s Premier League fixture against Southampton, which was due to be played tomorrow morning, has been postponed. Details of the new date and kick-off time will be confirmed in due course.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Max Merrick; Lewi Richards (Kobe Barbour 61), Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Genesis Antwi; Ollie Harrison, Harrison McMahon (c), Samuel Rak-Sakyi; Ato Ampah (Sol Gordon 79), Deivid Washington, Jesse Derry (Dujuan Richards 61)
Unused subs: Hudson Sands, Justin Osagie
Booked: Wilson 45, Deivid 85

Everton: George Pickford, Luca Davis (Demi Akarakiri 71), Joshua Schoor, Reece Welch (Aled Thomas 61), William Tamen, Elijah Campbell (c), Jacob Beaumont-Clark, Francis Gomez, George Morgan (Coby Ebere 61), Callum Bates, Braiden Graham (Kingsford Boakye 90)
Unused sub: Douglass Lukjanciks
Scorer: Beaumont-Clark 35
Booked: Davis 17