U23 - Chelsea 2 - 1 Tottenham - 切爾西足球俱樂部 Chelsea Football Club

U23聯賽第26輪


https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/05/08/pl2-report--chelsea-2-tottenham-1

PL2 Report: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 1

08 May 22


It was a tense and nervy day at Cobham, but our development squad stood
strong and showed tremendous fight as substitutes Dion Rankine and Joe
Haigh scored two vital goals which saw us secure safety on the final day
of the season.


https://i.imgur.com/Oioj6tU.jpg


This was one of the most important days in our Academy's history and our
young Blues delivered with huge amounts of pressure on their shoulders.
Prior to the game Andy Myers spoke about the importance of managing ups
and downs and this game had both for the west London side.


The first half was very even with both sides cancelling each other out.
Spurs had the clearest opportunity of the first period but Malang Sarr,
drafted in from the senior team, made a timely block which ballooned the
ball over the bar.


Besides that, the first half saw us be defensively strong despite not
creating anything clear-cut. The second half was a very different
spectacle. We started the second period aggressively and as we sought the
first goal in the game, against the run of play from a corner, Kion Etete
headed in to give the north London side the lead.


Myers made a double substitution, bringing on Lewis Hall and Rankine, who
combined late on as the latter steered the ball into an empty net after
Hall's cross.


We pushed hard for the winner and, despite time-wasting antics from our
opponents, we secured the winner through development squad debutant Mason
Burstow, whose shot was parried into the open by the Spurs keeper and Joe
Haigh, another substitute, slid in to grab the winner.


https://i.imgur.com/0hrGb75.jpg
Joe Haigh (right) was the match-winner as he made a big impact off the
bench


It was a rollercoaster of a game but a deserved victory from our
development squad, as Leeds United are relegated from the PL2 alongside
Derby County.


== Team news ==


With the stakes being at their highest, there was no surprise to see some
changes to the team. Trevoh Chalobah and Sarr were both drafted into the
starting line-up to provide some experience to our young squad. There was
also a start for January signing Burstow, whose loan to Charlton has now
officially ended.


https://i.imgur.com/KmXCIC2.jpg
Sarr played the full 90 minutes for our development squad today


Brodi Hughes, Charlie Webster and Harvey Vale, fresh off winning the
Under-18 Premier League Cup on Wednesday, were also all included in the
line-up.


== Cagey start ==


It took over 15 minutes for the game's first chance and it was the away
side who almost took the lead as Etete pounced on an error at the back,
feeding Romaine Mundle but an excellent last-ditch tackle diverted his
shot which looked like it was heading in, over the bar.


It was a nervous couple of minutes after that as Spurs were creating
openings, but timely blocks were keeping the scores level.


We did have the ball in the back of the net through Vale as good play from
Burstow, Dylan Williams and Bashir Humphreys released the young attacker,
but the goal was ruled out for offside.


https://i.imgur.com/hwl4INx.jpg
Mason Burstow put in a good performance after he made his debut today for
our development squad


== Nerves ==


We were beginning to have a few sights at goal as Burstow and Ballo both
had attempts that threatened the Tottenham defence but Thimothee Lo Tutala
in goal had made no saves of note.


https://i.imgur.com/74kArIA.jpg
Thomas Tuchel and his coaching team supporting the boys as we searched for
a goal


The first half fizzled out with no side really in the ascendancy and
Sarr's timely block being the most notable moment of the half.


We started the second half on the front-foot with some half-chances
through Ballo who was played in by Chalobah on two occasions. It was clear
that we had to force the initiative as it was a must-win game.


== Huge blow ==


Our increased attacking threat almost cost us on the defensive end as a
tackle on the line from Chalobah prevented a tap-in at the back post.


The unthinkable happened just before the hour mark as Lucas Bergstrom was
caught in no man's land in his attempt to claim from a corner. Etete had
the easy job of heading into the net.


A switch in formation and a double change by Myers highlighted the fact
two goals were now needed to avoid relegation. We had a huge opportunity
to draw level as Webster's cross-field ball to Rankine left him one-on-one
with his opponent. He beat his man and fizzed in a fabulous ball which
agonisingly missed the toe of Burstow.


https://i.imgur.com/sIBowWp.jpg
Trevoh Chalobah moved into the midfield in the second half and was terrific


We were getting closer but just could not find the decisive finish to get
back on level terms. We were firmly in control as Spurs were sitting deep,
protecting their lead.


== Cue the fighting spirit ==


Our play got the goal it deserved, and it was the substitutes who combined
as Hall drove into the box with purpose and delivered a low cross which
Rankine tapped in.


https://i.imgur.com/MWImQ7a.jpg
Dion Rankine was lively throughout his time on the pitch and he got the
goal that his play deserved


We immediately had another opportunity as Vale fired from range but the
Spurs shot-stopper did well to hold onto the firm shot.


Spurs were keeping the ball well in an attempt to run down the clock, but
one slack pass was picked up by Hall who drove through the heart of the
Spurs midfield. He was another who had won the Under-18 Premier League Cup
this week and he laid it off to Burstow who set himself and fired
goalwards, but Lo Tutala parried.


As his save was pushed out into the open and among the bodies it was Haigh
who got the decisive touch, which turned the ball into the net. Huge
relief.


https://i.imgur.com/w0swqcY.jpg
Relief on the final day as our young Blues avoided relegation from PL2


With eight minutes added on there was still enough time for Spurs to have
one last chance in the game. A well-worked move found Jamie Bowden on the
edge of the area but his shot unopposed sailed harmlessly over.


The result means that we secured our spot in the PL2 for next season and
can look forward to the future in the top-flight of academy football.


Chelsea (3-4-3):
Lucas Bergstrom

Trevoh Chalobah Bashir Humphreys (c) Malang Sarr

Brodi Hughes Xavier Simons Charlie Webster Dylan Williams
(Dion Rankine 62) (Lewis Hall 62)

Thierno Ballo
Mason Burstow (Joe Haigh 65) Harvey Vale


Unused subs - Ted Sharman-Lowe, Jayden Wareham
Scorers - Rankine 82, Haigh 88
Booked - Webster 36, Chalobah 90+1


Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1):
Thimothee Lo Tutala

Kallum Cesay Marqes Muir (c) Malachi Fagan-Walcott Dermi Lusala
(Jaden Williams 90+1)

Nile John Jamie Bowden
(Max Robson 81)

Romaine Mundle Alfie Devine Yago Alonso
(J'Neil Bennett 66)

Kion Etete


Unused subs - Maksim Paskotsi, Josh Oluwayemi
Scorer - Etete 57
Booked - Muir 17, Bowden, Cesay 77, Robson 83

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