From start to finish, the young Blues showed real desire and purpose. We took the lead before the break through Chizaram Ezenwata, who recorded his eighth league goal of the season with a composed, well-guided header.

After half-time, we returned with the same intensity, and within five minutes Reggie Walsh doubled our advantage with an outstanding finish after excellent build-up play from Mathis Eboue.

Our third arrived shortly after, with Eboue - who had been dangerous throughout - dribbling into the box before smashing a powerful strike past Josh Bentley at his near post.

The team remained composed and in control, managing the game confidently to seal a brilliant away victory and our sixth league win of the campaign.

Early pressure

Chelsea seized control from the outset, dominating possession and applying immediate pressure on the Tractor Boys with a confident, assured rhythm.

Our first opening arrived within the opening 10 minutes through Shumaira Mheuka. Lewi Richards floated a superb ball over the top to the forward, who brought it down expertly before unleashing a crisp volley on target, only for Bentley to produce an excellent low save.

Despite our strong start, Ipswich carved out their first sight of goal as we continued to push for the opener. Jayden Adetiba drove forward and drilled a low effort towards the far corner, but it never truly troubled Toby Bell. Making his first appearance of the season for the Under-18s after returning from injury, Bell watched the strike skid wide of the far post.

Fine finish

It always felt like a breakthrough was coming, and soon enough we found it - just as our pressure deserved. Remaining composed and firmly in control, we struck through Ezenwata after a swift counter-attack. Landon Emenalo lifted a precise, looping ball into the area, and our striker timed his run superbly, rising to guide a composed header straight into the middle of the goal.

Ipswich responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Jackson Chukwu-Nsofor drove into the box and unleashed a close-range effort, but Bell reacted superbly, spreading himself well to preserve our lead with a sharp stop.

As we approached the half-hour mark, Chelsea continued to threaten. Charlie Holland came closest to doubling our advantage when he collected possession on the edge of the box and rifled a powerful strike goalward. It looked destined for the target, but Lenny O’Sullivan threw himself in the way to make a crucial block for the hosts.

The Blues increased the tempo in the closing stages of the half, stepping confidently onto the front foot. Eboue surged down the flank, cut inside with pace and intent and unleashed a venomous effort that rose just over the bar. We went into the break with a deserved 1-0 advantage after an assured and dominant first-half performance.

Doubling our advantage

We almost found our second goal of the afternoon moments after the restart. Mheuka showed great strength as he twisted away from his marker before picking out Walsh on the edge of the box. The midfielder shaped a bending effort towards the far corner, but it curled inches wide of the post.

But the breakthrough soon came. Walsh didn’t have to wait much longer for his goal and it arrived in style. Eboue did brilliantly, weaving through the Ipswich defence before slipping the ball into Walsh’s path. This time, the midfielder made no mistake, unleashing a pinpoint strike that flew beyond Bentley and doubled our advantage.

Our growing momentum produced a third soon after. Lewi Richards threaded a precise through ball into the run of Eboue, who had been lively throughout. The winger danced into the penalty area with smart footwork before drilling a powerful effort from a tight angle, beating the goalkeeper at his near post with an emphatic finish.

As we approached the latter stages of the second half, Hassan Sulaiman turned to his bench to bring on fresh legs. One of those substitutes was Sol Gordon, who made an immediate impact. The attacking player struck from distance with power, the effort flashing just wide across the face of goal, a bright introduction and a signal of his intent.

Mheuka was next to test the Ipswich keeper with a composed finish. Following a long ball from Bell in goal, it landed perfectly for Mheuka in a one-on-one situation. He flicked the ball expertly, but it hit the roof of the net, narrowly denying him a goal.

We continued to press at both ends of the pitch while also remaining alert defensively as the Tractor Boys searched for a late consolation. Ultimately, the team stayed disciplined and united, seeing out the game to take all three points back to Cobham after a successful Saturday afternoon.

What's next

Chelsea Under-18s return to action on Tuesday 16 December when we begin our FA Youth Cup campaign with an away match against Brentford at Wheatsheaf Park. Kick-off is at 7pm.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Toby Bell; Riley Ebho, Lewi Richards, Olutayo Subuloye (c), Landon Emenalo (Calvin Diakite h-t); Charlie Holland (Jashayde Greenwood 63), Shumaira Mheuka, Reggie Walsh (Sol Gordon 69); Ibrahim Rabbaj, Chizaram Ezenwata (Dante Waite 63), Mathis Eboue
Unused sub: Freddy Bernal
Scorers: Ezenwata 21, Walsh 49, Eboue 52
Booked: Richards 35

Ipswich Town: Josh Bentley, Steve Brouwers (Archie Brown 68), Lenny O'Sullivan, Charlie Wood, Oliver Wilkinson, Usisya Longwe, Jackson Chukwu-Nsofor (Roman Burton-Yurevich 68), Bobby Sains (Indiana Pedder 62), William Unadike, Nelson Eze, Jayden Adetiba
Unused subs: Ruben Wreford, Harvey Duggins
Booked: Brouwers 14