https://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/05/ under-21s-report--chelsea-v-west-ham-united.html Under-21s report: Chelsea 0 West Ham United 1 Fri 15 May 2015 Our Under-21s went down to defeat in their penultimate game of the season at Stamford Bridge. West Ham could have taken the lead in the final minute of the first half but Josh Cullen fired his penalty wide, however the midfielder made amends in the 91st minute as he fired in an effort from 18 yards that flew in off the underside of the bar. The result means the Blues can no longer catch Manchester United at the top of the table. The Red Devils' Under-21s are confirmed as league winners. == Team news == Adi Viveash made four changes from the side beaten at Sunderland earlier in the week, with goalkeeper Bradley Collins, Reece Mitchell, Charly Musonda and Tammy Abraham returning. Collins was protected by a back three consisting of Fikayo Tomori, Dion Conroy and Jordan Houghton, with Mitchell and Ola Aina operating in the full-back roles. Charlie Colkett joined Musonda and Kasey Palmer in midfield while Dominic Solanke and Abraham, with 81 goals between them in all competitions this season, lead the line up front. In keeping with the make up of the team all season, eight of the starting 11 were Under-18s or younger. == First half == Goalmouth action was limited in the opening 20 minutes as the already-relegated Hammers kept the Blues at bay. Aina warmed the palms of visiting goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel on a brisk evening in west London, before Palmer tried his luck from 20 yards but saw his strike deflect off Emmanuel Onariase and away to safety. Djair Parfitt-Williams went close to an opener for West Ham as he skipped away from Colkett's challenge and looked to curl a shot inside the far post, however the ball skipped up off the turf and flew inches wide. The visitors grew into the game and should have broken the deadlock amid a flurry of chances midway through the half. Parfitt-Williams skewed a free header wide before Collins denied Brown one-on-one with a smart stop. Then Nathan Mavila fired just wide. Viveash responded by reverting to a 4-3-3 and it almost paid immediate dividends as Palmer found space and saw his shot beaten away by Spiegel. The goalkeeper also denied Musonda after the Belgian had done well to fashion a chance for himself but West Ham had the best chance of the half in the final minute. A tackle from Aina on Moses Makasi resulted in a penalty for Steve Potts's side but midfielder Josh Cullen fired wide from 12 yards and the sides went in level at the break. == Second half == Similar to the opening period, the second half started with a quiet spell before Solanke headed off-target following a brilliant delivery from Aina on the right flank. Abraham also headed over moments later, again after a cross from Aina, before Musonda sparked into life and flashed an effort narrowly wide. Abraham fired wide before Solanke did get the ball in the back of the net but the celebrations were cut short as the linesman ruled the striker to have been offside when he turned the ball in from close range. The second period was largely uneventful before bursting into life late on as the visitors grabbed a late winning goal. The Hammers advanced down the right and the ball was cut back for the supporting Cullen, who fired an unstoppable strike into the back of the net via the underside of the bar. There was time remaining for the Blues to carve out a final opportunity from a corner but Abraham could only stab over from five yards out as the visitors held on to claim all three points. == Reaction == Manager Adi Viveash reflected on a difficult evening at the end of a long season. Speaking to the official Chelsea website after the game, he said: 'We didn't start too well. The 3-5-2 system left us a little bit open and West Ham exploited the spaces well. We lacked energy in the first half, much like Sunderland earlier in the week, but in the second half we took a few more risks. 'Charly Musonda was outstanding but ultimately we've got young players who've played 45 or 50 games now this season and they've hit the wall a bit physically. The league has definitely improved this season though and that is the level we're trying to get these boys ready for. 'We had enough chances in the second half to win the game but it wasn't to be. Now we have to go to Norwich next week and try to win to finish second but we have to be proud that such a young squad have taken the title race to the penultimate game of the season, especially considering our success at the other age groups this season with largely the same group of players.' The Under-21s play their final game of the season at Norwich City on Wednesday (20 May), kick-off at midday. Chelsea (3-4-1-2): Bradley Collins Fikayo Tomori Jordan Houghton (c) Dion Conroy Ola Aina Charly Musonda Charlie Colkett Reece Mitchell (Mukhtar Ali 64) (Alex Kiwomya 57) Kasey Palmer (Jeremie Boga 38) Dominic Solanke Tammy Abraham Unused subs - Mitchell Beeney, Isaac Christie-Davies West Ham Raphael Spiegel, Alex Pike, Lewis Page (Vashon Neufville 67), Moses Makasi, Josh Pask, Emmanuel Onariase, Djair Parfitt-Williams, Amos Nasha, Jordan Brown (Jaanai Gordon 76), Josh Cullen, Nathan Mavila Unused subs - Grady Diangana, Sam Howes Scorer - Cullen 90+1 By Sam Poplett Pictures courtesy of Dan Davies and Mark Sandom -- PTT Chelsea 名言錄推 heavygauge:wryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc), 來自: 1.173.102.171 ※ 文章網址: https://www.ptt.cc/bbs/Chelsea/M.1431712600.A.45D.html

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※ 編輯: JamesCaesar (114.36.34.166), 06/25/2015 23:54:17

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