U21 Report: Chelsea 4-2 Saints
Southampton Under-21s were beaten 4-2 by Chelsea in Premier League 2 on Friday evening.
Goals from Reggie Walsh and Kiano Dyer in the first half saw Chelsea go into the break 2-0 ahead, before Harrison Murray-Campbell added a third for the hosts on 66 minutes.
Despite Saints finding the net through Brandon Charles, and the final scoreline being perhaps harsh on balance, the home side’s win was rounded off by Shumaira Mheuka late on before Sufianu Sillah Dibaga scored Saints’ second deep in stoppage-time.
The first shot of the game came from Chelsea as Murray-Campbell took aim from outside the area and saw his effort skid wide of the near post.
However, The Blues were to take the lead in just the eighth minute when Walsh found the far corner of the net with a precise strike that gave Saints goalkeeper Oscar Abbotson no chance.
Saints looked to respond quickly and soon went close to an equaliser when Princewill Ehibatiomhan’s cutback into the Chelsea area was met by Romeo Akachukwu, who flicked over the crossbar having controlled well under pressure.
It proved to be a first half where neither side seemed to gain control as clear-cut chances were at a premium – Saints saw a good chance for Barnaby Williams saved at close-range by Max Merrick after the ball had been won in a dangerous area.
However, Chelsea doubled their lead minutes before half-time when Derry’s shot was palmed out to Dyer, and the midfielder had the simple task of turning home from inside the six-yard box.
Saints made a bright start to the second half with some good possession and Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh forced Merrick into a comfortable save to end one attack.
Akachukwu was next to go close when his powerful drive from range flew narrowly wide of the post with Merrick otherwise beaten.
The threat from Chelsea remained though and, after cutting in from his position on the left, winger Jesse Derry was unfortunate to shoot into the side-netting when looking to make it 3-0.
Brandon Charles was Saints' first goalscorer on the night. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)
Unfortunately for Saints, who had gone close through Ehibhatiomhan shortly beforehand, the third for Chelsea arrived in the 66th minute when Murray-Campbell drilled home after being teed up by Mheuka.
The reaction from Adam Lallana’s visitors proved to be a good one though and they soon had a way back into the game when Brandon Charles’ left-footed shot found the net via a deflection.
Despite Saints pushing for more goals towards the end of the game, it was Chelsea who took all three points, and they added their fourth goal of the night when Mheuka scored from an indirect free kick in the Saints area.
Adam Lallana's side netted their second with the game’s last attack when Sillah Dibaga found the bottom corner smartly, but it was too little too late as a mere consolation.
Saints are next in action on Tuesday 3rd February when they host RB Leipzig in their final group game in the Premier League International Cup, with kick off at the Silverlake Stadium set for 7pm
Chelsea: Merrick, Antwi (Wilson 79'), Murray-Campbell, Suboloye, Emenalo, Harrison (Nicoll-Jazuli 62'), Cardoso (Richards 62'), Dyer (Kavuma-McQueen 79'), Mhueka, Walsh, Derry.
Subs: Bernal
Goals: Walsh (8'), Dyer (42'), Murray-Campbell (66'), Mhueka (89').
Yellow cards: Dyer, Murray-Campbell, Walsh.
Saints: Abbotson, Adjei-Afriyie, Dobson-Ventura, Kayi Sanda, Sesay, Williams (Kakay 75'), O'Brien-Whitmarsh, Akachukwu, Merry (Charles 66'), Sillah Dibaga, Ehibhatiomhan (Daley 83').
Subs: Moore, Okunola.
Goals: Charles (73'), Dibaga (90+7').
Yellow cards: Dobson-Ventura, Sesay.
