In a thrilling, end-to-end encounter, the young Blues made a bright start and took the lead through Ezenwata, who confidently slotted home a penalty after being brought down by the goalkeeper.

City quickly responded through a low finish from Teddie Lamb and appeared to be heading into the interval ahead when Floyd Samba converted a spot-kick. But there was an instant response from the Blues, as Ezenwata reacted quickest inside the penalty area to fire home his second of the game and eighth of the season.

Parity didn't last long, however, as straight after the half-time interval Tyrone Samba fired home from range to restore City's advantage. And despite pushing hard and displaying resilience throughout the second half, we were unable to find an equaliser and returned to Cobham empty-handed.

Quick start

In testing, wet and blustery conditions, Hassan Sulaiman's side made a bright start and were first to threaten. Midfielder Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli surged forward and found Kobe Barbour, who drove into the box with his trademark quick footwork. He fired low at goal, but City stopper Max Hudson got down smartly to save.

The hosts responded instantly with a chance of their own. A well-weighted pass from Harrison Miles found Lamb, who powered an effort toward the corner. Blues goalkeeper Freddy Bernal reacted brilliantly to push the ball to safety away and keep the score level.

Blues take the lead

As the game settled, the young Blues continued to apply pressure and were rewarded with a penalty. Nicoll-Jazuli combined neatly with Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, who slipped a clever low pass into the path of Ezenwata. The striker burst into the area and was brought down by the onrushing goalkeeper.

The referee had little choice but to point to the spot. Ezenwata took on the responsibility himself and stepped up to confidently slot the ball into the net and give the Blues a one-goal lead.

With momentum behind us, the Blues fashioned a series of promising attacks. Calvin Diakite unleashed a powerful shot that a City defender blocked before Barbour followed up with a fierce strike that lacked the accuracy to trouble the goalkeeper.

Frustrating moments

However, against the run of play, City created an equaliser. Christian Dunbar-McDonald produced a strong driving run before delivering a low cross into the box, where Lamb was on hand to slide in and level the contest.

As half-time approached, both sides pushed for the lead, and Dunbar-McDonald came close again for City with a fierce strike that flashed just past the far post.

City’s pressure paid off when they earned a penalty following a scramble in the Chelsea box. Under pressure, Tyrone Samba was brought down and the second penalty of the afternoon was awarded.

Floyd Samba stepped up and sent Bernal the wrong way to put City ahead in the final moments of regular time in the opening period.

Back level

However, despite the setback, the Blues responded brilliantly. And deep into stoppage time, a quick counter-attack earned a deserved equaliser.

Kavuma-McQueen unleashed a powerful shot that forced Hudson into a strong save, but the rebound fell kindly to Ezenwata. The striker remained composed, took a touch to control the ball and expertly fired it into the back of the net to grab his second of the match. The game was level at the interval.

The hosts came out firing after the break and re-established their lead a minute into the second half. Tyrone Samba collected the ball outside the box and unleashed a thunderous strike past Bernal. Once again, there was work for the Blues to do.

Looking for a response

We responded positively, with Kavuma-McQueen driving forward purposefully and unleashing a venomous low shot that the City keeper did well to keep out.

Seeking to shift the momentum, Sulaiman brought on Sol Gordon and Mathis Eboue to inject fresh attacking energy.

Gordon came closest to levelling the score, as he raced forward and fired a dangerous effort that narrowly flew over the bar.

Soon after, Eboue threatened with a powerful strike from a tight angle that forced another strong save from the goalkeeper.

Despite sustained pressure and having created several promising chances in the final third, we were unable to find a decisive equaliser and fell to a narrow defeat in Manchester.

What's next

After the October international break, Chelsea's Under-18s will return to Premier League action with a London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

The match will take place at Cobham on Saturday 18 October, with kick-off at 11am.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Freddy Bernal; Lewi Richards, Dante Waite, Olutayo Subuloye (c), Calvin Diakite (Harry McGlinchey h-t); Charlie Holland, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (Hezekiah Grimwade 90), Reggie Walsh; Kobe Barbour (Sol Gordon 63), Chizaram Ezenwata, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Mathis Eboue 71)
Unused sub: Hudson Sands
Scorer: Ezenwata (pen) 20, 45+5
Booked: Diakite 4, Waite 64

Manchester City: Max Hudson, Dante Headley (Kylan Midwood 78), Leke Drake, Kaden Braithwaite (c), Oliver Tevenan, Harrison Miles, Christian Dunbar-McDonald (Jacob Wain 78), Floyd Samba, Teddie Lamb ( Dexter Oliver 82), Tyrone Samba (Charlie Holt 82), Reigan Heskey
Unused sub: Ben Vickery
Scorers: Lamb 33, F Samba (pen) 45, T Samba 46
Booked: Tevenan 2, Drake 18, Miles 75