Determined to maintain our winning form – and looking to build on a victory over Reading prior to the break – the Blues made an excellent start. Winger Mathis Eboue was given time to unleash an unstoppable strike just after the 20-minute mark to open the scoring with his sixth goal of the campaign.

We doubled our advantage before the interval through top scorer Chizaram Ezenwata, who finished clinically for his 17th goal across all competitions.

Dan Hogan’s side worked diligently after the break, maintaining our attacking threat and probing the Crystal Palace defence. We managed the second period maturely, and saw out the game to secure our fifth league clean sheet of the season.

Early pressure

Chelsea started on the front foot and, in the opening 10 minutes, the first genuine chance arrived as winger Eboue surged forward with pace and unleashed a low strike on target. However, Palace goalkeeper Lucca Benetton reacted sharply, producing a strong save.

As the game settled, we continued to probe with intent. Right-back Lewi Richards was the next to try his luck, curling a left-footed effort from just inside the area. Benetton was alert once again to gather the close-range attempt.

The Blues continued to build momentum, linking up well in attacking areas. Eboue, lively throughout, drove forward once more before delivering a perfectly weighted square pass to the onrushing Sol Gordon. From the centre of the penalty area, Gordon struck first time, but his effort flew narrowly wide.

Stunning strike

The breakthrough, though, felt inevitable - and it arrived in spectacular fashion.

The move began at the back with Dante Waite, who delivered an outstanding long, looping pass out wide to Gordon. He controlled the ball well and pulled it back into the path of Eboue, who arrived and fired a thunderous finish into the roof of the net. Benetton had no chance. Chelsea led 1-0.

As the half moved toward break, the Blues continued to apply pressure. We almost doubled our advantage when Waite again provided a precise long ball, this time finding Ezenwata inside the area. He got his shot away on target, but Benetton dived low to palm the effort clear.

Adding another

Our second goal did soon follow. Richards spotted Ezenwata’s run with a clever long pass, and the forward took the ball in stride before driving a composed, low finish between defenders and into the bottom corner. It was a clinical strike to extend the lead.

We maintained control through to the half-time whistle, displaying confidence and composure in possession. After an impressive first half, the Blues went into the interval firmly in command.

Entertainment continues

Both sides posed a threat after the break. The hosts created the first opportunity from a whipped free-kick delivered by Jasper Judd, with Chuks Okoli almost getting a decisive touch. However, Freddy Bernal remained composed to keep the effort out.

Play quickly shifted to the other end, where schoolboy midfielder Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli unleashed a venomous strike that looked destined for the net, only for the ball to flash narrowly wide.

A flurry of chances followed as we searched for a third goal. Eboue came close to adding his second with a stinging effort from a tight angle, but the Palace keeper produced a strong save to deny him. Defender Calvin Diakite also ventured forward and tried his luck, sending a shot just inches wide as he joined the attack.

Chelsea continued to dominate in the closing stages, with Hogan introducing fresh attacking legs as Kobe Barbour and Jashayde Greenwood replaced Gordon and Ezenwata.

Landon Emenalo, operating from midfield, came close to adding a late goal after twisting and turning his way into the penalty area before whipping an effort that flashed across the face of goal, but narrowly evaded the far post.

The Blues remained composed and in control as the final whistle approached, managing the game with maturity. At full-time, celebrations followed as we recorded a fourth consecutive unbeaten outing and secured back-to-back Under-18 Premier League victories, maintaining strong momentum heading into the next fixture.

What it means

Following this result, Chelsea remain in second place in the Under-18 Premier League South table on 46 points, having recorded our 14th league victory of the season. We are now just one point behind league leaders Tottenham Hotspur and still have a game in hand.

What's next

Chelsea will continue our Under-18 Premier League campaign with a midweek fixture against Arsenal on Tuesday 7 April, kicking off at midday at Cobham. The match will be available for Chelsea supporters to watch live, free of charge, on the Chelsea Official App and website.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Freddy Bernal; Lewi Richards, Dante Waite (c), Olutayo Subuloye, Calvin Diakite; Landon Emenalo, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Reggie Walsh; Sol Gordon (Kobe Barbour 69), Chizaram Ezenwata (Jashayde Greenwood 77), Mathis Eboue
Unused subs: Toby Bell, Riley Ebho, Isaac Badu
Scorers: Eboue 21, Ezenwata 40
Booked: Eboue 78, Barbour 82

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Lucca Benetton, Jasper Judd, Khyan Frazer-Williams, Hugo Bull, Sebastian Bonsu-Amako, Chuks Okoli, Daniel Owoade (Kairo Smith-Phillips 65), Euan Danaher, Donte Martin (Jayden McDonald 89), Mylo Bernard (Kayden Michael Moses 76), David Angibeaud
Unused subs: Nathanael James Kalembo, Jamar Lee
Booked: Bernard 11, Smith-Phillips 81