The Blues made a fast start in the West Midlands, with first-year scholar Isaac McGillvary opening the scoring after seven minutes.

Heze Grimwade doubled our advantage shortly before half-time, however Birmingham were given a route back into the contest when Connor Reilly pulled a goal back just before the interval.

The points were secured in the second half, however, with Andrew Pennie netting a brace and securing our fine win.

Blues make fast start

Chelsea took the lead in the seventh minute through McGillvary. The first-year produced a composed finish, taking one touch before finding the net to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.

The young Blues continued to hold the advantage as the first half progressed and extended it five minutes before the break.

Grimwade took a good touch before finishing neatly to make it 2-0, putting us in a strong position heading into the closing stages of the half.

Birmingham responded immediately before the interval, with Reilly finishing well following a surging run from Blake Campbell, to reduce the deficit to 2-1 at half-time.

Pennie strikes twice

Chelsea restored our two-goal advantage midway through the second half. Josh Henry produced the work which created the opening for Pennie, who was in the right place to finish and make it 3-1.

Pennie struck again 10 minutes later to complete his brace. The ball dropped kindly for the forward and he made no mistake, giving the Blues a three-goal cushion.

Pennie, who had been shifted from centre-forward to the left, continued to provide a threat and played a key role in our victory.

There was still time for the visitors to threaten again. Jacob Dako saw a left-footed effort from outside the box blocked in the 77th minute, before Yunus Linton tried his luck from more than 35 yards six minutes later but fired over as the Blues saw out the game well.

What it means

The result gives Chelsea our first points of the 2026/27 Under-18 Premier League campaign, following defeat to Norwich City in our opening fixture.

What's next?

Our Under-18s return to Cobham on Saturday 29 August when we host Reading in the Under-18 Premier League. That game will start at 11am.

The teams

Chelsea: Bell; Sambou, Hall, Da Silva (Silva 74), Waite; Henry, Grimwade (Linton 77), Dako; McGilvary (Anderson 77), Greenwood (Faromo-Adebayo 67), Pennie (Ampah 77)

Unused subs: Murray, Malundama

Birmingham City: Smith; Pearsall, Hawkeswood, McCourtie, Chahal; Blake-Campbell, Greer (Taylor 59), Ziolkowski (Neil 81), Hoarau, Mason (Nunes-Wickham 59), Reilly.

Unused subs: Watson, Drammeh

Scorers: McGillvary 7, Grimwade 40, Pennie 66, 75