U18 Premier League

Chelsea 2 (Guehi 7, Gilmour 43) Arsenal 0 

Arsenal U18s suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to their Chelsea counterparts this morning.

Kwame Ampadu’s side had won their last two games but found it difficult to cope against an impressive Chelsea team that prevailed courtesy of goals from Marc Guehi and Billy Gilmour.

Ampadu made just one change to the side that thrashed West Ham United last time out, with schoolboy Bukayo Saka replacing Zech Medley, who was on the bench for the U23s against Manchester United last night.

Daniel Ballard moved into defence, with James Olayinka switching to central midfield and Saka starting on the right flank.

Meanwhile, Tyreece John-Jules made the bench after recovering from injury.

Virginia

Daley Campbell-Olowu-Ballard-Omole

Benson-Olayinka

Saka-Burton-Smith Rowe

Balogun

Subs: Thompson (for Burton, 63), Smith (for Olayinka, 75). Not used: Okonkwo, Spencer-Adams, John-Jules.

Chelsea impressed early on and took the lead in the 7th minute when Guehi finished extremely well from Gilmour’s corner.

Arsenal goalkeeper Joao Virginia then had to make several saves to prevent Chelsea from extending their lead, but he was unable to stop Gilmour from making it 2-0 before the break.

The young Gunners had an opportunity to reduce the deficit through Joseph Olowu’s header in the second half but the centre-back, who trained with the first-team yesterday, was unable to find the net.

Gilmour perhaps should have scored again for Chelsea but the game ended 2-0, with Arsenal hoping to bounce back against Reading in a fortnight.