U18 Report: Chelsea 2 Leicester City 1

The young Foxes went into the clash level on points with a game in hand on the hosts – Chelsea sitting top of the table on goal difference.
City created a handful of chances in the early stages, with the first created by Matty Miles, who played a neat diagonal through-ball to Kyle Bailey. The winger then fed the ball into frontman Danny Rowe, who couldn’t connect from close range.
Brandon Fox also had an opportunity to break the deadlock, but after striking from the edge of the box, the attacker’s effort flew just over the opposition bar.
Despite attacking pressure from Leicester, it was Chelsea who took the lead through a clever piece of play in front of the City defence, and the opposition carried their one-goal advantage into the break.
After five second-half minutes, Leicester went two down from another fine goal, but in typical fashion, City struck back.
Midway through the second period, Fox found the back of the net with smart finish similar to the one he scored , pulling one back to make it 2-1.
Leicester came agonisingly close to an equaliser through Rowe, but the No.10’s clever flick was cleared off the line.
Speaking after the loss, Academy director Jon Rudkin said: “It was a top-of-the-league clash which was always going to be a tight game.
“We knew Chelsea would maybe be the more prominent in possession, especially being at home so it was a different game plan for our players to experience and it was important that we were patient and disciplined to our team shape.
“In the early period of the game both teams probed away at each other. We created two really good chances to break the deadlock on the counter attack. We knew our game plan would be how well we counter-attacked at times.
“Chelsea again created come good chances and it was a very well-orchestrated goal that got the hosts ahead. Our defensive record is one of the best currently across the structure but this was a clever goal to break the deadlock.
“It was very tight. In the second half, we felt that we could probably create even more chances, and knew that we would be able to do that.
“What was very pleasing to see was the character of side to go on and get back into the game. We created some further chances with some very good set-play delivery coming into the box at times while our full-backs were looking to join in the attacking play.
“Half way through the second half a good piece of play down the left wing resulted in a fine finish from Brandon Fox which got us back to 2-1 – it was another excellent strike from Brandon.
“The game really became open then. Both sides could have scored at various times because of how open the match was. We had to defend really well at times through Elliot Moore and Cedric Kipre, who put in some fine blocks.
“It was a good game and while we didn’t attain the result we were looking for the players can be pleased with their performance against a very good Chelsea side.
“Ultimately these type of games, both technically and tactically, will play a big part in each player’s development and all would have learnt a great deal both in terms of the positives and areas for us to continue to work on.”