Hassan Sulaiman’s side produced a commanding display on our return to Under-18 Premier League action, showing real determination to respond after last week’s setback against Crystal Palace in the Under-18 Premier League Cup.

The young Blues set the tone immediately as Subuloye scored his second goal of the season inside three minutes, rising highest to power an unstoppable header into the net.

Chelsea continued to control the game and deservedly doubled their lead before half-time. Schoolboy Watson stepped over a free-kick on the edge of the area and curled a brilliant strike over the wall and beyond the West Ham goalkeeper, giving the Blues a comfortable advantage at the interval.

After the restart, Chelsea looked to extend our lead, but West Ham pulled one back in the later stages through Joel Kerr. The goal offered the hosts a lifeline, yet the young Blues remained composed, showing resilience and discipline to see out the game.

It was a hard-fought finish, but our organisation and collective effort ensured the three points returned to Cobham and preserved our unbeaten Under-18 Premier League run.

Flying start

Chelsea burst out of the blocks with purpose, immediately pinning West Ham into their own defensive third. The breakthrough came inside three minutes from our very first set-piece of the afternoon.

Lewi Richards delivered a superb outswinging corner, and captain Subuloye timed his run perfectly, rising above the crowd to power a header into the top corner. It was a statement start and the perfect tone-setter for the Blues.

Momentum remained with Chelsea. Moments later, Riley Ebho showed sharp feet in the box before laying the ball off to Charlie Holland. The midfielder unleashed a fierce effort that cannoned off the crossbar, narrowly missing a second goal. We were dominant, composed and clearly intent on taking control from the outset.

As the early intensity eased, the wind picked up, and the rain began to fall more heavily at the Hammers’ training ground, yet the Blues stayed front-footed and in control.

Despite our dominance, West Ham created their first real opportunity around the half-hour mark. Chuk Obi drove through midfield and fired a low strike towards the far corner, but Hudson Sands tracked it well and watched the effort skid harmlessly wide. It was a reminder that the hosts remained a threat, but our shape and focus ensured the lead stayed intact.

A moment of class

Just before the interval, the Blues’ dominance was rewarded with a second goal, a moment of pure quality from schoolboy midfielder Watson.

After Mathis Eboue was fouled on the edge of the area, Watson stepped up to take the free-kick with confidence. His finish was flawless, whipping a curling strike over the wall and beyond Lanre Awesu in goal. It was a beautifully struck effort, fully deserving of doubling Chelsea’s advantage.

The Blues went into the break 2-0 ahead, firmly in control and demonstrating both resilience and real attacking threat.

Looking for more

The second half started in a calmer rhythm, with the Blues maintaining the structure and control that had defined the first period.

We looked to extend our lead when Richards clipped a clever ball over the top for Chizaram Ezenwata. The striker finished confidently, smashing the ball into the net, but celebrations were cut short as the assistant referee flagged for offside.

The Blues continued to probe as winger Sol Gordon drove powerfully down the flank before unleashing a low strike from a tight angle. The West Ham keeper reacted sharply to tip the effort away, keeping the scoreline intact.

Hammers pull one back

Despite our early dominance, the hosts found a way back into the contest. Substitute Tyrone Omotoye did well down the right and cut the ball back for Kerr, whose curling effort found the bottom corner after taking a slight deflection off a Chelsea player. The moment gave the hosts renewed belief heading into the closing stages.

Sulaiman was forced into a change after Hudson Sands collided with a West Ham attacker. Freddy Bernal, fresh from his midweek appearance for the Under-19s against Barcelona, came on to see out the remainder of the game.

We showed real resilience in the closing stages, defending resolutely while still probing for a chance to restore the two-goal cushion. Eboue came closest, weaving into the box with quick footwork, but his effort drifted narrowly wide.

The Blues held firm until the final whistle, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory and extending our unbeaten Under-18 Premier League run.

What's next

Chelsea will be in action in Under-18 Premier League action against Ipswich Town on Saturday 6 December away from home kicking off at midday at Ipswich Town Academy. The match will be available to stream online free of charge on the Chelsea Official App and website.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Hudson Sands (Freddy Bernal 86); Riley Ebho, Lewi Richards (Dante Waite 90+2), Olutayo Subuloye (c), Calvin Diakite; Isaac Badu, Reggie Watson, Charlie Holland (Jashayde Greenwood 89); Sol Gordon, Chizaram Ezenwata, Mathis Eboue
Unused subs: Chris Atherton, Jacob Hall
Scorers: Subuloye 3, Watson 43
Booked: Holland 22, Badu 53, Watson 61

West Ham: Lanre Awesu, Vinnie Perkins, Tomas Jonyla, Isaac Thomas, Harry Montague, Emmanuel Fejokwu, Martin Peychev (Tyrone Omotoye 70), Connor Brooks (Reggie Morris-Agyemang 81), Chuk Obi (Joel Kerr 59), Lewis Beckford, Andre Dike (c) (Majid Balogun 59)
Unused sub: Finley Hooper
Scorer: Kerr 74