The game had an end-of-season feel as both sides had passages of play and opportunities to threaten but neither capitalised on this. Zain Silcott-Duberry delivered a cross from a set-piece which found the head of Leo Castledine, but Eagles keeper Owen Woodman was well-positioned to stop and hold onto the header.

Nevertheless, despite the half being bereft of chances, it was our boys who looked most likely to get a goal and we delivered as Mendel-Idowu powered home a header after a pinpoint cross from defender Brodi Hughes.

We had a good chance to double our lead soon after as Mendel-Idowu weaved his way past a couple of challenges and then chipped a delightful ball for Flower to volley but the striker's controlled effort hit the crossbar and bounced away to safety.

Five minutes before the half-time whistle, Palace equalised as a fizzed cross by Maliq Cadogan found Victor Akinwale, who slid in to finish.

It was becoming evident that the away side were susceptible to crosses and Hughes soon sent in another dangerous delivery which Flower headed home to put us back in front.

After a slow start, the contest had well and truly come alive as Palace struck back again swiftly, scoring from a corner as Ademola Ola-Adebomi towered over his man to draw his team level.

Ola-Adebomi, on the stroke of half-time, almost gave his side the lead as he hit the post with an effort after an effective counter-attack.

There were a couple of sights of goal from both teams in the second half but nothing of note as our youth team's last home game of the season ended in a 2-2 draw in front of the watching Thomas Tuchel.

Attention now turns to Wednesday when we face Fulham in the final of the Under-18 Premier League Cup at Craven Cottage. Kick-off is 7pm and supporters can still purchase tickets priced at £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.

Before then, our development squad travel to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday afternoon for a huge game in Premier League 2. Following Leeds United's draw in their final game of the campaign, the Blues know they need one win from their final two matches to secure safety. Kick-off is 1pm at Ewood Park.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Ted Curd; Brodi Hughes, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Alfie Gilchrist (c), Luke Badley-Morgan (Jimi Tauriainen 25); Sam Rak-Sakyi (Noah Hay 65), Leo Castledine; Tudor Mendel-Idowu, Zain Silcott-Duberry, Malik Mothersille; Louis Flower (Silko Thomas 82)Unused subs Prince Adegoke, Tyrique GeorgeScorers Mendel-Idowu 30; Flower 44Booked Murray-Campbell 28; Hay 89

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1) Owen Goodman; Joshua Addae, Jonnie Williams, Freddie Bell, Joe Sheridan (c), James Leonard, Maliq Cadogan, Matty Vigor, Victor Akinwale (Adler Nascimento 75), Fionn Mooney, Ademola Ola-Adebomi (Junior Dixon 86)Unused subs: Laurie Shala, Kalani Barton, Basilio SocolicheScorers Akinwale 31; Ola-Adebomi 45+1Booked Leonard 31; Vigor 67