3/1 To Win
Derby County's Under-18s were beaten 3-1 by Chelsea in the Premier League Cup on Saturday at Moor Farm Training Ground.
The young Rams ended their final group game in the competition with ten men following captain Keilen Robinson's straight red card in the 78th minute.
Winger Johnson Osong put Derby ahead in the second minute when he stole possession and worked his way into the box before firing into the bottom-right corner past Ted Curd.
Jake Buxton’s side continued to apply the early pressure. A good move ended up inside the box with Reece Nicholas-Davies, who could only hit the side netting.
Rams goalkeeper Jack Thompson comfortably saved Tyrique George's long-range strike in the 23rd minute, and Curd denied Zion Dixon at the other end soon after.
Chelsea equalised two minutes before half-time when Tudor Mendel-Idowu slotted past Thompson from inside the box.
Lennon Wheeldon saw his shot from outside the box saved by Curd in the 63rd minute before Thompson made a smart stop to prevent the visitors from going ahead.
Robinson’s game was over 12 minutes before time when the referee deemed him to have denied a goalscoring opportunity for the visitors.
Despite their best efforts, the Rams could not hold on as substitute Donnell McNeilly gave Chelsea the lead in the 87th minute.
Mendel-Idowu secured Chelsea’s win just before full-time, finishing from close range for his second goal of the match.
Derby's Under-18s, who finished bottom of Group B in the Premier League Cup and won't play in the knock-out stages, will return to Under-18 Premier League - North action next Saturday when they host Blackburn Rovers (12:30pm kick-off).
Derby County Under 18s: Thompson (GK), Moore, Robinson (C), Aideyan, Gough, Fapetu, Sebagabo (Ashia 65), Nicholas-Davies, Dixon, Osong, Wheeldon.
Substitutes Not Used: Shattell (GK), Simons, Gill.
Chelsea Under 18s: Curd (GK), Hay (Chibueze 81), Wilson, Murray-Campbell, Boniface, McMahon, Dyer (McNeilly 46), Mendel-Idwou, Golding (Runham 74), George, Flower.
Substitutes Not Used: Campbell (GK), Acheampong.
Report by Dale Winfield.
