Ed Brand's boys took on fourth-placed Fulham at Cobham on Saturday morning, with our west London rivals on a four-game unbeaten streak coming into the game.

With back-to-back wins, Chelsea also arrived in good form, which set up a good contest in the Under-18 Premier League South.

Tough encounter

It was a decent start from the Blues as Tyrique George played a great ball into the box which found the head of Donnell McNeilly, who put the ball in the back of the net. However, the in-form striker was judged to have been offside.

It was the away side who took the lead though as a harmless corner was met by Harrison Murray-Campbell and his header deflected into Luke Campbell’s goal off the back of Brodi Hughes.

It quickly became 2-0 as a loose ball was pounced on by Tom Olyott. Campbell made the initial save but could do nothing to stop Aaron Loupalo-Bi from side-footing into the net.

The lead was extended by the Cottagers as another loose ball was picked up by the away team and, after being found in the box, Ollie Gofford lashed the ball past Campbell through the congested penalty area.

Our young Blues struggled to break down a resolute Fulham and a quick counter ended with Loupalo-Bi getting his brace. Soon after, four became five as Callum Osmand peeled round the back post to finish well from an Olyott cross.

Our biggest chance of the half came as Tudor-Mendel Idowu’s cross was met by Leo Castledine, who nodded across goal for McNeilly, but unbelievably his shot was saved by captain Alfie McNally.

The second period had an immediate set-back as Osmand made it six, finishing off a fast counter-attack, before another unfortunate own goal saw a pass back to second-half substitute Ted Curd mis-controlled as the ball rolled into the net to cap a miserable morning for our youngsters.

A consolation from McNeilly could do little to soften the blow. The striker did have two other chances in the half which were missed as our young Blues suffered their third loss of the season.

Chelsea Under-18s play next on Tuesday 29 November as they take on league leaders West Ham in another London derby. You can watch that live on Chelsea's digital platforms.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Luke Campbell (Ted Curd 46); Josh Acheampong, Travis Akomeah (Kaiden Wilson 62), Harrison Murray-Campbell, Brodi Hughes; Kiano Dyer (Sam Rak-Sakyi 71), Michael Golding; Tudor Mendel-Idowu (Chinonso Chibueze 85), Leo Castledine (c), Tyrique George (Harrison McMahon 46); Donnell McNeilly
Scorer: McNeilly 90+1

Fulham (4-3-3): Alfie McNally (c), Bradley De-Jesus, Bradley Side, Luc De Fourgerolles, Carian Avenell (Chubby Nicko 41), Murphy Parker, Tom Olyott (Jayden Quashie 65), Ollie Gofford, Aaron Loupalo-Bi (Chubby Nicko 72), Callum Osmand, Lemar Gordon (Ma’kel Bogle-Campbell 72)
Unused subs: Oscar Varney, Tom Wingate
Scorers: Hughes (og) 11; Loupalo-Bi 15, 33; Gofford 19; Osmand 35, 49; Murray-Campbell (og) 83