Despite a brace from schoolboy striker Chizaram Ezenwata on his debut at this level, it was a tough afternoon for Chelsea Under-18s in our opening league fixture at Cobham, as Brighton took home the three points.

Chelsea hosted our first Under-18s Premier League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday morning, when the young side fell to a 5-2 defeat despite their best efforts to fight until the final whistle. Brighton opened the scoring and soon doubled their advantage. However, Chelsea saw glimpses of hope when Chizaram Ezenwata netted with an impressive low strike.

A Fightback In Vain

Just after the visitors scored again, Ezenwata secured his second goal of the afternoon, but Brighton added another two goals after the break, one being in added time.

Early Pressure But Brighton Strikes First

This home league opener kicked off with intensity, as both teams fiercely contested possession. The Blues quickly caused problems for the Seagulls, with Yahya Idrissi's technical footwork weaving him into the box. However, Brighton's defence remained stubborn and alert, removing any danger.

Despite Chelsea's immediate high press, it was Brighton who created the first real chance. Aidan West made a run down the wing to lose Saheed Olagunju, before drilling a low strike on goal, but Jack Austin stayed composed and quickly got down to make the save.

That was a warning, as the visitors soon took the lead. Shane Nti’s free-kick curled towards goal but bounced off the post. Tyler Silsby was quick to react, picking up the rebound and sending it towards Joe Belmont, who tapped in from close range.

Ezenwata's Debut Goals Give Chelsea Hope

Unfazed, Chelsea fought back. Harry McGlinchey regained possession and sent a direct ball to Genesis Antwi, who expertly picked out Sol Gordon in the area. Gordon unleashed a powerful shot on target, but Brighton's Alfie Mansell made a vital block.

Brighton maintained their momentum and doubled their lead when Silsby whipped in another free-kick from just outside the area. The curling effort squeezed between the Chelsea keeper and the post.

Hassan Sulaiman’s side remained resilient. Youngster Ezenwata applied pressure to dispossess a Brighton defender just outside the box and slotted a low shot into the bottom corner, leaving the Seagulls keeper with no chance.

Chelsea nearly equalised immediately after, as Ezenwata beat Mansell to the ball after the keeper ventured off his line. His looping effort from distance had spectators on edge, but it drifted just inches wide.

A Frustrating First Half

Before half-time, Antwi made a superb run down the wing, weaving through a pack of Brighton defenders and firing a shot towards the bottom corner, only for Matthew Hayden to extend his leg and make the block.

Chelsea came close again when Antwi's strong movement in the area allowed him to cross to Ezenwata, who connected with a powerful header, but the effort slammed against the crossbar.

Though the Blues had been on top, Brighton capitalised on a defensive miscommunication, allowing West to tap in and extend their advantage.

Just before the break, Chelsea pulled one back through clever team play between Antwi and Ezenwata. The winger dribbled his way into the area and squared a high ball to Ezenwata, who calmly poached it into the corner, beating the keeper and leaving the score at 3-2 going into the break.

Brighton Seal the Victory

The Seagulls came out after half-time on the front foot, quickly capitalising on a Chelsea defensive error at the edge of the area. Nti fired a stinging effort into the top corner, beating Austin.

Chelsea continued to press for a goal, working their way through Brighton's defence. We came close when captain Ollie Harrison delivered a precise free-kick to Olagunju, but his header just cleared the crossbar. Brighton then sealed the match with a fifth goal in injury time, as Ronnie Gorman found space inside the area and powered a shot into the top-left corner. Despite Chelsea's best efforts, Brighton walked away with all three points.

Looking Ahead

Chelsea will return to Under-18 Premier League action next Saturday morning against London rivals Arsenal at the Arsenal Training Centre, with a kick-off time of 11am.

Match Summary

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Jack Austin; Joseph Wheeler-Henry (Lewi Richards 85), Olutayo Subuloye, Saheed Olagunju, Harry McGlinchey; Ollie Harrison (c), Genesis Antwi; Sol Gordon (Reggie Walsh 72), Leo Cardoso (Walter Nutter 72), Yahya Idrissi (Ryan Kavuma-McQueen 61); Chizaram Ezenwata Unused sub: Hudson Sands Scorer: Ezenwata 23, 45

Brighton: Alfie Mansell, Matthew Hayden, Tate Ferdinand (Isaiah Alakiu 75), Corbin Mthunzi, Callum Mackley (c), Layth Gulzar (Theo Outen 61), Aidan West, Darius Lane, Joe Belmont, Shane Nti (Billy Cullinane 76), Tyler Silsby (Ronnie Gorman 76) Unused sub: Jesse Middleton Scorers: Belmont 10, Silsby 21, West 37, Nti 59, Gorman 90+4 Booked: West 28, Ferdinand 45+2, Outen 86