Our young Blues have now lost back-to-back games for only the second time this season as they were beaten on Wednesday afternoon. In a defeat that all but rules out the possibility of a late title charge, we were second best.

It was a much-changed line-up from Ed Brand as our young Blues took on title favourites Southampton.

After a positive opening couple of minutes from Chelsea, the Saints took complete control of the game albeit without initially testing Prince Adegoke in goal.

However their early dominance and control ultimately lead to the opener as Luke Pearce with a deft touch controlled a floated ball into his path and he finished calmly under the onrushing Adegoke.

Our young Blues’ backs were against the ropes and the away side’s lead was doubled moments later from the penalty spot. Tudor Mendel-Idowu was adjudged to have fouled Ryan Finnigan in the penalty box and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Dom Ballard took the penalty and finished well.

The pressure was mounting as attacker Pearce had two opportunities to worsen the scoreline for Brand’s team.

The second period followed a similar pattern as again we started fast and tried to catch our opponents by surprise and that nearly paid off.

Malik Mothersille’s shot cannoned off the crossbar in a situation where he might have believed he should have scored.

Following that opportunity, the Saints had further opportunities to increase the scoreline as Kami Doyle and Diamond Edwards both came close.

With our boys running out of time to find a goal to mount a comeback the game was sealed 15 minutes before the final whistle as it was that man Pearce again who battled hard to win the ball in midfield, drive towards goal and then poke beyond Adegoke.

A tough defeat at home against a one of the best-performing teams in the league this season as they go top, and we stay in sixth.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Prince Adegoke; Harrison Murray-Campbell, Josh Tobin, Luke Badley-Morgan, Alex Kpakpe (c) (Ato Ampah 47); Billy Gee, Zain Silcott-Duberry; Edwin Andersson, Tudor Mendel-Idowu, Malik Mothersille (Chinonso Chibueze 90+1); Louis Flower (Donnell McNeilly 73).

Unused subs: Sami Tlemcani, Kaiden Wilson.Booked: Luke Badley-Morgan 37; Billy Gee 45+4; Josh Tobin 45+4.

Southampton (4-2-2-2): Eddie Beach; Sonnie Davis, Jem Hewlett, Ryan Finnigan (Kaya Tshaka 46), Matty Carson; Cam Bragg, Lewis Payne; Diamond Edwards (Fedel Ross-Lang 73), Kami Doyle; Dom Ballard (Rylee Wright 31), Luke Pearce.

Unused subs: Josh Jeffries, Ryan Chavez-Munoz.Scorers: Luke Pearce 16, 72; Dom Ballard 19 (p).