CHELSEA are Premier League champions – at under-18 level anyway.
The Blues earned sweet revenge over FA Youth Cup winners Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea have won the u18s Premier League Credit: Getty
Mathis Eboue scored in the final against Manchester City Credit: Getty
City had beaten Chelsea 4-1 on their way to lifting the trophy earlier this month with a win in the final over neighbours Manchester United.
But the Blues struck a blow for the beautiful south in the perfect end to their fine season.
Chelsea won the southern section of the PL’s youth competition convincingly, finishing 13 points clear of Spurs in the league format.
And they took command against northern champions City right from the start.
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Chizaram Ezenwata and Mathis Eboue put the home side two goals up inside nine minutes.
City hit back with a fabulous shot by former Chelsea Academy star Ryan McAidoo.
But Ryan Kavuma-McQueen restored the Blues’ two-goal advantage, ending a fine run with a shot which City goalkeeper Ben Vickery should have kept out.
Vickery redeemed himself with a brilliant save from Chelsea centre back Olutayo Subuloye before half time.
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City sent on the cavalry at the break, with three chances including Reigan Heskey, son of former Liverpool and England striker Emile and the scorer of the winner in the FA Youth Cup final.
Chelsea ‘keeper Freddy Bernal made one excellent save but otherwise his team were pretty comfortable before substitute Sol Gordon added the fourth in the 90th minute. Kavuma-McQueen rubbed salt in the City wounds with a fifth deep into a long period of stoppage time.
The Blues had stars all over the pitch, but these were the five stand-out performers.
OLUTAYO SUBULOYE, centre back, 18
There’s a reason why this kid is Chelsea’s Scholar of the Year. Lots of reasons, in fact.
His build and gait may be more like ex-Liverpool star Joel Matip, but his strength calmness and reading of the game is very much Virgil Van Dijk, albeit without the Dutchman’s passing range.
Subuloye cleaned up danger with the minimum of fuss, won his duels on the ground and in the air, and kept it simple or passed through the lines as the situation required. He and Chelsea skipper Dante Waite kept City centre forward Teddie Lamb quiet.
LANDON EMENALO, midfielder, 18
One of a number of players in the matchday squads with famous dads, in his case former Nigeria international and Chelsea technical director Michael.
But he is not nepo-baby and has a bright future with the Blues and England.
Landon Emenalo is the son of Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo Credit: Getty
Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is an exciting prospect on the wing Credit: Getty
A complete football capable of playing on the left and in the centre of defence and midfield, he thrived in a do-everything box-to-box role, one minute gliding into the City penalty area, the next defending as the last man. Took a good corner, too, like a left-footed Declan Rice.
Moved to left back late on and looked just as comfortable.
RYAN KAVUMA-MCQUEEN, winger, 17
So highly-rated, he has spent most of the season with the Under-21 side which won their league, and even made his first-team debut in the FA Cup against Port Vale.
Direct, pacy and aggressive going forward, and not afraid to work back. Like a taller Pedro Neto but with more end product. Had City left back Jacob Wain on toast at times.
Definitely has a swagger and an attitude about him, posing for a photo after he scored the third goal, And celebrated with the entire team and bench after grabbing the fifth.
MATHIS EBOUE, winger, 17
The son of former Arsenal and Ivory Coast star Emmanuel is making rapid progress, even making the bench for the recent first-team game at Liverpool.
Like Kavuma-McQueen, he is fast, skilful and loves to take on his man while not neglecting his defensive duties.
Eboue played in Kavuma-McQueen for the shot which was parried for Ezenwata to open the scoring. But his tackle, sprint down the left, fabulous finish and acrobatic celebration for the second goal minutes later were the highlight of the game.
Chizaram Ezenwata is similar to first-team star Joao Pedro Credit: Getty
Reggie Watson is tipped to go to the top Credit: Alamy
CHIZARAM EZENWATA, striker, 18
PL2 superstar striker Shim Mheuka is still eligible to play for the under-18s, but Ezenwata’s excellent debut season for the Blues means they haven’t needed him.
The former Crystal Palace Academy star is not a typical centre forward and reminds you a bit of first-team frontman Joao Pedro with his range of attributes.
Ezenwata ran all night, won plenty of his battles with City’s centre halves, and was happy to drop deep to link play. His tackle set up Kavuma-McQueen for the run and shot which made it 3-1.
But when a poacher’s instinct was called for, he had it, forcing the ball home for the opener after Kavuma-McQueen’s shot was parried by Vickery.
AND WATCH OUT FOR….
REGGIE WATSON, 15, midfielder
Son of former Palace and Wigan FA Cup-winning goalscorer Ben, he is tipped for great things after making his Under-21 debut this season..
Some of the England Under-16 international’s all-action performances have drawn comparisons with Steven Gerrard.
Came off the bench for the last quarter of the game and was immediately impressive and vocal, living up to his reputation as a leader.
