Leo Castledine from the penalty spot and Harrison Murray-Campbell were our goalscorers as we raced into an early two-goal lead but Crystal Palace responded and Junior Anthony-Dixon found a late winner to see his side win all three points.

Our Under-18s returned to league action as they sought a return to winning ways against Crystal Palace. The team directly below them in third have had a good start to the season and came into this game on a three-game winning streak.

It was an evenly matched contest in the opening moments of the game as both sides threatened to take the lead.

Our young Blues edged the possession and made the pressure we put our opponents under count as we were awarded a penalty, which captain Castledine stepped up to take and convert giving us a deserved lead.

We found our second goal just before half-time as Murray-Campbell grabbed his first goal at this level with a well-taken goal.

Anthony-Dixon pulled a goal back for the hosts soon after our second as the young Eagles did well to halve the deficit just before half-time.

This gave them the confidence they needed as the second period saw us squander the one-goal lead we had over our opponents, as Zach Marsh did well with his finish a minute into the second half.

Anthony-Dixon was proving to be a threat as he got onto the end of a lovely floated cross, but his effort clipped the post.

Tudor Mendel-Idowu almost restored our lead as he found space inside the box and fired goalwards, but young keeper Jackson Izquierdo stood firm and made a good save.

The keeper was being kept busy by our young Blues as Castledine almost got his second of the game, but his fierce shot was tipped onto the post by Izquierdo.

Despite our chances the game headed for a draw but the home side were awarded a penalty in the closing moments. Anthony-Dixon converted and won his side three points.

There was a late chance for us as Castledine hit the crossbar, but we failed to find an equaliser as we lose our second game in a row.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Ted Curd; Brodi Hughes, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Somto Boniface, Travis Akomeah; Sam Rak-Sakyi, Kiano Dyer (Chinonso Chibueze 46), Tudor Mendel-Idowu, Frankie Runham (Tyrique George 87), Reiss Russell-Denny (Zain Silcott-Duberry 63); Leo Castledine (c).

Unused subs: Josh Acheampong.

Scorers: Leo Castledine 27 (P); Harrison Murray-Campbell 42

Booked: Harrison Murray-Campbell 32; Reiss Russell-Denny 53.

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Jackson Izquierdo; Caleb Kporha, Jake Grante, Eyimofe Jemide, Vonnte Williams, Freddie Bell (c), Joseph Gibbard (Asheer Agbinone 82), Basilio-Rieno Socoliche (Cormac Austin 71), Adler Nascimento, Junior Anthony-Dixon, Zach Marsh (Kalani Barton 68).

Unused subs: William Eastwood, Giulio Marroni.

Scorers: Junior Anthony-Dixon 43, 90+3 (P); Zach Marsh 47.

Booked: Eyimofe Jemide 30; Junior Anthony-Dixon 88.