We had to grind out a win as the home side, with an inspired performance from keeper Aiden Dowling, did not make it easy for our young Blues.

Nonetheless, we got the job done and now look ahead to Liverpool next week off the back of a good win.

We were in cruise control to start the game as we penned the home side in their half and Charlie Webster went close early on.

It did not take long for us to take the lead though, as Hutchinson was in the right place at the right time to convert following a goalmouth scramble.

The young Rovers slowly worked their way back into the game and a misjudgement invited Harry Leonard who took his chance after missing a gilt-edged chance moments earlier.

Just before half-time, a Hutchinson pass found Dylan Williams who hit the crossbar.

Despite our good second half start, the home side took the lead through a Lewis Hall own-goal.

Rankine finished off a fine team move as we equalised mid-way through the second half.

Following a number of chances to take the lead we found our winner through Hutchinson who did well to drive a shot into the back of the net despite efforts from Jared Harlock to clear the ball off the line.

Team news

Our development squad had a chance to go top of the PL2 momentarily, as we took on a Blackburn side in 11th place in the PL2 table.

There were a few changes from our last outing and amongst them were returns to the line-up for Alfie Gilchrist and Lewis Hall.

It was a cold day up north as we sought victory to add to the 3-0 win we managed against today’s opponents earlier in the season.

Early goal

We sent an early warning sign as fine combination play on the edge of the Blackburn penalty area found Webster who unleashed a shot from just inside the box, but it went wide.

Our opponents did not heed to that warning, and we were ahead with only six minutes gone. Rankine’s fine cross caused havoc and with Blackburn having failed to clear, Hutchinson pounced and steered an effort into the top corner of the net.

We were in control of the contest but failed to find the final pass needed to break down a defence content in soaking up pressure.

Pegged back

Against the run of play though, the home side had a golden opportunity to level as Leonard was found unmarked in the six-yard-box, but he failed to direct his effort on target when it seemed impossible to miss.

The striker would make up for his miss as moments later, the game was level. A chipped ball into the box was misjudged by Bergstrom who attempted to claim but was beaten to it by Leonard who flicked the ball into the net with his head.

Hutchinson’s fine run led to him playing a lofted pass towards the back-post which found Williams, but his first-timed effort hit the crossbar. Huge let-off for the young Rovers.

The second half saw us start like the first period, we were sharp and should have taken the lead.

Burstow was played in by Vale, but he got his angles wrong, and his effort went wide. Seconds later Burstow found himself with only the keeper to beat again but Dowling saved impressively well.

Back and forth

It was the home side who took the lead, and it came in unfortunate circumstances for us as a cross into the box was diverted into goal by the outstretched leg of Hall.

We almost equalised as Hutchinson was through on goal and he did well to round the keeper but his goalbound shot was cleared off the line by Pratt.

We were putting extreme pressure on the Blackburn backline, and we equalised as a good team move ended with Vale laying the ball off for Rankine who swept the ball home.

We should have gone ahead as we created space for ourselves, and Webster had two options either side of him, but he decided to shoot from the edge of the box and the ball flew over.

There were numerous chances to take the lead as Hutchinson cut inside well and his subsequent shot was saved well by Dowling. Vale had two attempts to convert the rebound, but he failed to get a clean connection on the ball.

Hutchinson was in on goal again and he was played through by Webster, but once again Dowling was on hand to keep the scores level.

Hall was next to try his luck and he smashed a shot on goal, but Dowling saved. Second-half substitute Leo Castledine tried to head in the rebound, but his effort went over. We were getting closer.

Winner

As we entered into stoppage time, we found the winner and it came through Hutchinson’s pressure on the defence as he carried the ball into the box and then fired into the net. Harlock's attempts to clear the ball off the line were in vain as Hutchinson capped a fine display by securing his second of the game.

With all the chances we created over the course of the game, we were deserving of that winner.

Our development squad’s victory sees us rise to the summit of the table and we will be in action next week Sunday for an away clash against Liverpool.

Academy news

In other news Dion Rankine has signed a new contract with the club committing his future to the Blues till at least 2025.

In addition to this, Tyrique George has signed his first professional contract with the club, committing his future till summer 2025.

Chelsea (3-4-3): Lucas Bergstrom; Josh Brooking, Alfie Gilchrist (c), Zak Sturge (Leo Castledine 72); Dylan Williams, Charlie Webster (Brodi Hughes 80), Lewis Hall, Dion Rankine; Omari Hutchinson, Harvey Vale (Juan Castillo 71), Mason Burstow (Jayden Wareham 82).

Unused subs: Luke Campbell.

Booked: Lewis Hall 38; Juan Castillo 90+3.

Scorers: Omari Hutchinson 6, 90+1; Dion Rankine 59.

Blackburn Rovers (4-2-3-1): Aiden Dowling; Kristi Montgomery, Daniel Pike (Jay Haddow 72), George Pratt, Dominic Hyam (Patrick Gamble 46), Adam Wharton (Ethan Walker 62), Ben Fyles, Jake Garrett (Jalil Saadi 72), Harry Leonard, Jared Harlock, Zak Gilsenan.

Unusedsubs: Will Blease.

Booked: Daniel Pike 35.

Scorers: Harry Leonard 33, own goal Lewis Hall 50.