Hassan Sulaiman’s side started confidently, enjoying long spells of possession and putting Norwich on the back foot. Yet despite bright attacking play and promising moments, we couldn’t find a way past the Norwich goalkeeper and the contest was level at the break.

The pattern of the game continued following the restart, with the Blues attempting to break down a resilient Norwich defence. Sulaiman turned to his bench and introduced fresh attacking options and the pressure remained relentless, but the breakthrough proved elusive and ended up being shared.

Our unbeaten run remains intact, though even if the Blues were left frustrated after not finding the decisive goal our performance deserved.

Finding our feet

The Blues made a steady start to this clash at Cobham and controlled the early stages through possession. We were able to pin the home side back into their defensive third, which set the tone for much of the first half.

Charlie Holland linked up well with schoolboy Reggie Watson in midfield, the pair driving forward and looking to release winger Chris Atherton inside the area while also seeking out Sol Gordon leading the line.

Watson had the game’s first real effort, striking from distance, but Norwich keeper Luis Lines was equal to it.

Action then quickly shifted the other way as Rio Mundle burst down the flank for Norwich and cut the ball back for striker Finlay Corke. His touch was loose and the ball deflected off his heel and out of play. It was an early let-off.

Our best chance of the first half came soon after, as defender Calvin Diakite did well to find Gordon on the edge of the area. The forward unleashed a powerful drive, but Lines reacted brilliantly to turn it behind with 25 minutes on the clock.

From the resulting corner, Lewi Richards played it short to Atherton, who set up Watson outside the box. He drilled a low strike toward goal, but Lines was equal to it once more.

As the break approached, both sides continued to search for a breakthrough. Mundle went close for Norwich after collecting a long throw, but his fierce effort soared over the bar and into the roof of the net.

Despite our control for much of the opening 45 minutes, Norwich posed a threat in the closing stages. Sands stood firm to deny Foden Northover’s low effort, before Corke fired the rebound high over the bar.

The final chance of the half fell to Mathis Eboue, who had worked tirelessly throughout. Driving into space, he unleashed a long-range attempt that flashed just inches wide of the post.

The search goes on

At the start of the second period, Blues newcomer Riley Ebho made an impact off the bench, injecting energy and intent as Chelsea immediately pressed the Norwich backline.

Dante Waite went close with a thunderous header after Richards lofted a teasing delivery into the box. The defender threw himself at the cross, directing his effort goalwards, but somehow it stayed out. It was a moment that highlighted the Blues' growing frustration.

Chelsea continued to build momentum with some neat link-up play. Ibrahim Rabbaj combined well with Ebho, whose driven ball across the area found Eboue arriving at pace. The midfielder struck powerfully, but his effort soared just over the bar.

Eboue remained lively and soon had another chance, sending a low effort narrowly wide as Lines scrambled to make the save.

As the game entered its final stages, Chelsea pushed hard in search of a late winner. Gordon battled to find space in a crowded area, but Norwich’s defence held firm to block his strike, and the stalemate remained at the final whistle, with both sides sharing the points.

What's next

Chelsea Under-18s will continue their league campaign with a trip to Crystal Palace as we face them on Saturday 22 November, kicking off at 11am. The match will be available to watch on the Chelsea Official App and website free of charge.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Hudson Sands; Lewi Richards, Dante Waite (c), Calvin Diakite (Riley Ebho h-t), Harry McGlinchey; Reggie Watson, Charlie Holland, Mathis Eboue (Andrew Pennie 70); Ibrahim Rabbaj, Sol Gordon, Chris Atherton (Hezekiah Grimwade h-t)
Unused subs: Antoni Miernik,Joel Philbert
Booked: Watson 50

Norwich City: Luis Lines, Finlay Oligbo, Zachariah Sclare (Ollie Oldfield 79), Emmanuel Okpiabhele, Sonny Rowland (c), Reuben Cooper, Jake Glossop, Jeremiah Sinclair-Brown, Finlay Corke, Foden Northover (Hugo Collins 60), Rio Mundle (Reece Wilkes 67)
Unused subs: Nikodem Tkaczuk, Oliver Oldfield, Ubachukwu Victor
Booked: Sinclair-Brown 90+2