https://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/08/under-21-report.html Under-21 report: Chelsea 1-3 Southampton Fri 14 Aug 2015 Chelsea Under-21s went down to a defeat in their opening home game of the league season this evening (Friday) at Stamford Bridge. Adi Viveash's side created chances throughout but Southampton proved more clinical as a brace from Sam McQueen and a neat finish from Jake Hesketh handed the visitors all three points, despite a late consolation goal from Tammy Abraham. == Team news == There were three changes from the side that secured a late 1-0 victory at Liverpool the previous weekend in their Under-21 Premier League opener as Bradley Collins, Dion Conroy and John Swift came into the starting team. Conroy joined captain Fankaty Dabo, Fikayo Tomori and Jay Dasilva in providing the defensive protection for Collins in goal, while Swift lined up alongside Jake Clarke-Salter in central midfield. Abraham, scorer of the stoppage-time winner at Liverpool, led the line up front once again, with Alex Kiwomya, Charly Musonda and Reece Mitchell offering the attacking support. == First half == The opening exchanges were always going to fall short of the blistering start to this fixture last season, in which the Blues stormed into a 5-0 lead after 35 minutes before eventually winning the game 5-3. Clear-cut opportunities were far more limited early on in this game and it took almost 20 minutes before Mitchell tested Harry Isted in the Saints goal. Abraham had a shot deflected just wide after neat play from Musonda and Swift in tight areas, however the visitors were soon ahead in the game with their first meaningful opportunity. Lloyd Isgrove picked up the ball on the left, delivered a deep cross into the box and McQueen turned it expertly beyond Collins for the opener. The goal sparked the game into life and Chelsea went hunting for an instant equaliser. Swift's free-kick flew narrowly over after Abraham had been fouled and then Abraham's flicked header clipped the outside of the far post, before Kiwomya volleyed wide. In between those chances, Southampton almost doubled their lead with a header from Marcus Barnes that floated just over, yet the Saints were celebrating again moments later. Armani Little was released clear in behind and his low effort squirmed underneath the onrushing Collins before rebounding away off the post. However, McQueen was following in like all good attackers and was handed the simple task of turning the loose ball into an empty net from a few yards out. The Blues looked to reduce the deficit before the break and Abraham was thwarted twice by Isted, while Musonda blasted a free-kick over and then dragged a great chance inches wide after being released in behind by Abraham. == Second half == Viveash made a double substitution at the break, introducing Kasey Palmer and Kevin Wright as his side looked to find a route back into the contest. Dasilva came closest to achieving that when his curling effort thumped back off the crossbar from almost 30 yards. The Blues struggled to carve out many more clear sights at goal while, down the other end, Collins saved well down to his left as McQueen's low effort arrowed towards the bottom corner. Southampton did extend their lead with 15 minutes to play as Jason McCarthy's delivery from the right was miscued by Clarke-Salter and Hesketh capitalised, rifling his finish into the roof of the net. Abraham's header from Dabo's centre landed narrowly wide and Palmer's volley was saved by Isted late on before the home side did grab a consolation goal, Abraham collecting a long throw from Dabo and squeezing a low finish inside the far post. The Under-21s return to action on Friday 28 August when they travel to Carrow Road to take on Norwich in a game being screened live on Chelsea TV. Before then, our youth team face Aston Villa at Cobham tomorrow morning (Saturday). == Manager reaction == Adi Viveash reflected afterwards on a difficult night for his side and admitted Southampton's victory came courtesy of clinical finishing in front of goal. Speaking to the official Chelsea website, he said: 'I thought we were good going forward and created quite a few chances but they took their chances and we didn't. 'We conceded three very poor goals from a defensive point of view and it's disappointing, especially when we spent a lot of time in the build-up talking about the threat of their wide players cutting inside. 'Our substitutes added a bit more energy and quality on the ball but there's a lot of areas to work on now and that's our job over the next two weeks going into our next game away at Norwich. It's difficult when you lose football matches, especially at the Bridge, but if we can learn from the game then hopefully it will help us in the long-run.' Chelsea Bradley Collins Fankaty Dabo (c) Fikayo Tomori Dion Conroy Jay Dasilva (Kevin Wright h/t) Jake Clarke-Salter Charly Musonda Alex Kiwomya John Swift Reece Mitchell (Kasey Palmer h/t) (Ike Ugbo 64) Tammy Abraham Unused subs - Nathan Baxter, Ali Suljic Scorer - Abraham 89 Booked - Wright Southampton Harry Isted, Jason McCarthy, Josh Debayo, Dominic Gape, Ollie Cook, Will Wood, Sam McQueen, Armani Little, Marcus Barnes, Jake Hesketh, Lloyd Isgrove Unused subs - Callum Slattery, Jake Hallet, Richard Bakary, Josh Sims, Olufela Olomola Scorers - McQueen 22, 29; Hesketh 74 Booked - McCarthy, Hesketh Pictures courtesy of Mark Sandom -- 以伊露維塔的名為證發誓 — 若有誰敢奪取屬於我們的藍色之心，不論對方是天使、惡魔、男人或女人，包括尚未出生者，若有任何的生靈，不論偉大或渺小，是善還是惡，我們都將懷著復仇與憎恨之心直追到天涯海角，直追到世界結束之日。 -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc), 來自: 36.231.128.211 ※ 文章網址: https://www.ptt.cc/bbs/Chelsea/M.1439575004.A.E36.html ※ 編輯: JamesCaesar (59.115.98.26), 10/13/2015 14:07:27

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