We got off to a flying start on the South Coast, and were a goal ahead inside 10 minutes. Myles Peart-Harris provided Tauriainen the platform to open the scoring and 15 minutes later, it was the turn of Jay Wareham to hand Tuariainen the opportunity to extend our lead, which he did for his third goal of the season.

Southampton responded three minutes later, and the second half was less eventful. Although we went close on a number of occasions, we were made to wait until injury time to make it three. Edwin Andersson struck late on to secure maximum points.

The positive result leaves our youngsters in sixth place on 30 points after 19 Under-18 Premier League games.

Starting XI

For this morning’s game Ed Brand named eight changes from the team that drew at Leicester a week ago. The only remaining players were Josh Brooking, Bashir Humphreys and Joe Haigh.

We last played Southampton in September last year in our third game of the season, with the scores ending level that day. Alex Kpakpe rocketed the young Blues into an early lead but the Saints hit back with a goal after the hour to earn a point from Cobham.

First-half lead

Dominating the early stages, the young Blues were almost ahead within the opening five minutes. Brodi Hughes popped up at the back post to connect with a cross from the left, but Matt Hall in the home net tipped the ball over the crossbar.

The theme continued and within four minutes we were ahead. Myles Peart-Harris picked up the ball in midfield and drove into the box on the right. The 18-year-old squared for his teammate Tauriainen to apply the finished touches with his left foot.

Our goal settled the game but Southampton were on the hunt for a response and Ted Curd was called to action from close range. The home chance was enough of a warning sign for Chelsea to snap back into action though, and our lead was doubled on 25 minutes.

Southampton were caught in possession inside our half and the boys broke quickly. It was 4-vs-2 in our favour as Jay Wareham carried the ball forward and found Tauriainen’s run. The Finn went alone and tucked the ball away in the far corner excellently to strengthen the advantage.

The hosts hit back almost instantly however, a shot from range found its way inside the post. Curd dived to his left but was unable to get the desired contact on the ball.

We thought we had a third after half an hour, Sutter tapped into an empty net following Peart-Harris' cross but the official soon raised his flag to signal an offside in the build-up. That was our final chance of the half and we ended it with a slender lead.

Chances for Chelsea

Beginning the second half, the majority of play was in the midfield and little goal-mouth action to report. When we did breach the home defence it took a good save from Hall to deny Wareham’s header from close range after Bashir Humphreys won the inital ball.

Ronnie Stutter had the chance to get himself of the scoresheet after an hour. Haigh played him through on the left but the young forward fired straight at the keeper who made the save look easy.

Andersson seals it

Both teams made a host of changes as the final whistle neared. Ben Elliott, Charlie Wiggett and Edwin Andersson all provided fresh legs for us as we aimed to hold on to the lead. The latter of those changes provided our third goal in injury time to seal the win at Southampton.

A tricky run into the box from Haigh ended with him smacking the ball against the crossbar, but luckily for us the ball dropped to Andersson who had the easy task of tapping home for the win.

What’s next?

Next up for Brand’s boys is the FA Youth Cup fourth round tie against AFC Fylde. Kick-off at Kingsmeadow is 12:30pm on Friday 2 April. The game will be streamed live on the website and 5th stnad app.

Chelsea 3-4-3 Ted Curd; Josh Brooking (Charlie Wiggett 74), Alfie Gilchrist, Brodi Hughes; Leo Castledine, Myles Peart-Harris (Ben Elliott 69), Jimi Tauriainen (Edwin Andersson 84); Joe Haigh, Ronnie Stutter, Jayden WarehamUnused subs Prince Adegoke, Luke Badley-MorganBooked Brooking 15Scorer Tauriainen 9, 25; Andersson 90+3

Southampton Matt Hall, Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo, Leon Pambou (Jeremi Rodrigues 68), Will Tizzard (c), Joshua Lett, Fedel Ross-Long, Jayden Smith, Ryan Finnigan (Joshua Squires 65), Sam Bellis, Kazeem Olaigbe, Trialist (Ramello Mitchell 58)Unused subs Eddie Beach, Diamond EdwardsScorer Smith 28

PL2 fixture change

Our development squad game against West Ham originally set for next week Friday has been rescheduled to take place on Tuesday 6 April. Kick-off at Rush Green stadium is now 7pm.