Our development squad had a plethora of chances in today’s game but just could not find the conviction needed to take advantage.

The deadlock was broken initially and impressively as fresh from his call-up to the Cameroon senior team, Ben Elliott struck a shot which found the bottom corner of the net after a good pass from Omari Hutchinson.

Zak Sturge and Mason Burstow had chances to double our lead, but the young Eagles equalised through Ademola Ola-Adebomi who put the ball past Gabriel Slonina after a cute through ball to him in the box.

Harvey Vale on the stroke of the half-time whistle hit the post as we had multiple chances to regain the initiative, but we could not find the finish needed.

The second period followed a similar theme, as we continued to create chances but finding the goal needed to go in front was proving difficult.

Palace capitalised on our missed chances and in their first attack of the second period, Victor Akinwale was awarded a penalty after being tripped by Sturge and Jack Wells-Morrison converted the resulting penalty. It proved to be the winner.

Our development looked to gain an advantage early on in the game by putting the pressure on the side from south London and that almost paid dividends as the in-form Mason Burstow burst through on goal but a poor touch let him down as he was smothered by Owen Goodman.

Palace responded well to our early threat and Jadan Raymond went on a marauding run which resulted in a near miss, as his shot from just outside the area went close to finding the net.

Making the pressure count

It was our turn to threaten, and a good long ball found Hutchinson who looked to be through on goal, but Dan Imray’s last-ditch tackle was adjudged to have been fair by the referee.

Burstow went close again as he did well to give himself a yard of space, but he could not find the finish as Goodman saved well with his feet.

The goal was coming, and it came in fine fashion as neat play between Hutchinson and Elliott allowed the latter to collect in stride and finish past the young Eagles’ goalkeeper.

Another well-worked move almost brought our second as a good corner routine saw Dylan Williams deliver a good cross which Zak Sturge met first, but his shot went agonisingly wide.

Burstow was heavily involved in our good play in the first period, and he drew another good save from Goodman in the Palace goal as he struck from outside the box.

Pegged back

Despite our momentum, similar to our last game in the PL2, the away side equalised a couple of minutes before half time. Ola-Adebomi was played through on goal and did well to slide the ball past Slonina and draw his side level.

Despite the setback, we remained on top and should have gone into the break ahead. Vale did well to beat his man and give himself a yard of space as he unleashed a fierce shot which went close, but he failed to hit the target.

Staying on top

Another big chance before the end of the first period fell our way as Vale struck the post following a Hall cross.

We came out of the traps flying in the second period and went so close to the go-ahead goal as a Dylan Williams cross only just missed Rankine and Burstow who were waiting at the back post.

Another chance went begging for our young Blues and this time it was Elliott who had a go from a tight angle, but he did well to have Goodman scrambling as the ball flew past the post.

We were creating chances at will now but failing to turn the ball into the net as a good cross from Hall was destined to find Burstow who was waiting for a tap-in but Goodman was positioned well to push the ball away from a dangerous area.

Against the run of play

In their first foray forward, Palace were awarded a penalty as the referee believed that Sturge tripped Akinwale in the penalty box. Wells-Morrison stepped up and dispatched confidently to give his side the lead.

The away side managed the game well from there and held on to win against our boys.

Our development squad will next be in action on Sunday 16 April when we take on league leaders Manchester City.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Gabriel Slonina; Lewis Hall, Brodi Hughes, Zak Sturge, Dylan Williams; Charlie Webster (c), Ben Elliott; Dion Rankine, Omari Hutchinson (Leo Castledine 73), Harvey Vale (Silko Thomas 79); Mason Burstow (Malik Mothersille 79).

Unused subs: Luke Campbell, Derrick Abu.

Scorer: Ben Elliott 20.

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Owen Goodman; Dan Imray, Omotayo Adaramola, Kaden Rodney, Noah Watson, Kofi Balmer, Jadan Raymond (Fionn Mooney 81), David Ozoh, Ademola Ola-Adebomi (David Omilaba 90+1), Jack Wells-Morrison, Victor Akinwale (c) (Matthew Vigor 90+4).

Unused subs: Jackson Izquierdo, Josh Addae.

Booked: Victor Akinwale 72; Noah Watson 82.

Scorers: Ademola Ola-Adebomi 39; Jack Wells-Morrison 69 (p).