It was a bright autumn afternoon at Cobham as our Under-19s produced a dominant display in our third Youth League league-stage fixture.

Jesse Derry opened the scoring inside three minutes after meeting with Ato Ampah’s low cross well. Ajax equalised soon after through Luca Messori, but Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli restored our lead before the break - becoming Chelsea's youngest goal scorer in Youth League history.

After the restart, Ampah extended our advantage with his first goal in the competition, before adding a second from close range to make it 4-1. Genesis Antwi then struck a fine effort to add a fifth for the Blues.

Ajax pulled one back through Tyrese Teuwsen, but substitute Charlie Holland rounded off a superb team performance with a late header. Jeshurun Simeon netted a stoppage-time consolation for Ajax, but it was Chelsea who took all three points with a commanding 6-3 victory, maintaining our unbeaten run in the competition.

Lively start

Our Under-19s made a bright opening on home turf, taking control of possession early on and wasting no time in making it count. Inside just three minutes, we found the breakthrough.

It was a moment of sheer determination from Ampah, who pressed brilliantly to dispossess Ajax defender Aaron Bouwma inside their own box. He kept his composure to square the ball perfectly for Derry, who arrived at pace to sweep home from close range and give the Blues a dream start.

However, our early lead didn’t last long. Ajax hit back with intent as Messori carried the ball forward with purpose, driving into the box before firing past Freddy Bernal to level the scoreline.

The Blues responded instantly. A looping corner from Landon Emenalo found Harrison Murray-Campbell, whose powerful header was denied by a sharp save from Mark Engel. Moments later, Ampah continued to cause problems, slipping in Nicoll-Jazuli, whose low strike forced another strong stop from the Ajax keeper. The pressure was mounting and the energy from the boys in blue was relentless.

Ajax looked to test us at the other end as Lucas Jetten struck from inside the area, but Bernal reacted superbly, diving low to push the shot away and keep us level.

As the game settled, Chelsea began to reassert control, moving the ball with confidence. Ollie Harrison carried it forward through midfield before finding Ampah out wide, who unleashed a fierce drive that stung the palms of the Ajax keeper once again.

A special moment!

It felt only a matter of time before we regained our lead - and that moment arrived in style. Sustained pressure saw Harrison McMahon receive the ball centrally from Harrison, before sliding a clever pass to Nicoll-Jazuli on the edge of the box. The schoolboy took a perfect first touch, spun smartly and placed his finish beautifully into the bottom corner. It was a composed strike and a moment to remember.

As we pushed towards half-time, the Blues refused to ease up. Ampah remained a constant threat, driving into dangerous areas and forcing yet another fine save, while Derry went inches away from adding a third when his fierce effort rippled the side-netting.

After an action-packed first 45 minutes, the Blues went into the break 2-1 ahead, full of confidence and momentum following an exciting opening period at Cobham.

After the restart, Ajax began brightly and looked to apply early pressure on our back line. Jinairo Johnson went close with a powerful strike that flashed just wide of the post, a warning sign for the Blues, who were forced to stay alert in the opening moments of the half.

We responded well and quickly reasserted control. Derry, already on the score sheet, came close to adding a second after showcasing his quick footwork inside the penalty area, but his effort lacked the power to trouble the goalkeeper as he searched for his brace.

Ampah at the double!

The next goal arrived soon after and it was one of real quality. Ampah, who had been outstanding throughout, finally got the reward his performance deserved. Bursting into the box with pace and power, he showed great composure to bring the ball under control and calmly find the back of the net to make it 3-1.

We were flying and our fourth came from a brilliant quick press. Striker Shumaira Mheuka led the break and almost found the net himself with a fierce strike that struck the post. Ampah was alive to the rebound and made no mistake, finishing confidently to claim his second goal of the afternoon.

A thrilling end

The momentum was firmly with the Blues and another memorable moment followed. Attacking right-back Antwi stepped forward and unleashed a superb curling effort that arched beautifully into the top corner, extending our advantage in style.

Ajax managed to pull one back in the closing stages through Teuwsen, who finished well after a spell of pressure. Bernal, who had impressed throughout, was unfortunate to be beaten on that occasion.

However, we were not done yet. Substitute Holland added our sixth with a well-placed header following a set-piece. From a deep corner, the midfielder reacted quickest, guiding the loose ball into the open net.

Our Dutch opponents found a late consolation through Simeon in stoppage time, but it did little to change the outcome. The final whistle confirmed a superb 6-3 victory for the young Blues, who produced an exhilarating attacking display full of energy, confidence and quality.

What's next

Our Under-19s are back in UEFA Youth League action this Wednesday 5 November, taking on Qarabag away at the Azersun Arena. Kick-off is at 11am.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Freddy Bernal; Genesis Antwi, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Olutayo Subuloye, Landon Emenalo (Lewi Richards 62); Ollie Harrison, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (Charlie Holland 85), Harrison McMahon; Jesse Derry (Kobe Barbour 70), Shumaira Mheuka (c), Ato Ampah (Sol Gordon 85)
Unused subs: Hudson Sands, Dante Waite, Reggie Watson, Mathis Eboue, Heze Grimwade
Scorers: Derry 3, Nicoll-Jazuli 26, Ampah 63, 74, Antwi 79, Holland 88
Booked: Mheuka 77

Ajax (4-4-2): Mark Engel, Luuk Beekman (Leroy Frankel 78), Aaron Bouwman, Jinairo Johnson, Lucas Jetten (Jeshurun Simeon 79), Mark Verkuijl (Mohamed Abdalla 31), Luca Messori (Tyrese Teuwsen 78), Sean Steur, Emre Unuvar, Abdellah Ouazane (Damian van der Vaart 67), Pharrel Nas
Unused subs: Sesynijo Tilborg, Hasan Ayyildiz, Anass Moumane
Scorers: Messori 9, Teuwsen 84, Simeon 90+3
Booked: Ouazane 32, Jetten 69, Johnson 77