It’s been a good week for our Under-21s as we picked up our second win in five days with a solid 3-1 victory over Leicester, having previously won away at Bournemouth in the Premier League Cup on Monday.

The Blues started strong at Kingsmeadow and pushed our opponents back from the start. Captain Vale broke the deadlock after perfect build-up play involving Richard Olise, who worked brilliantly on the wing and spotted 17-year-old Shumaira Mheuka. Mheuka delivered a smooth backheel for Vale to finish with composure and put the Blues ahead.

Despite being the dominant side, the Foxes managed to pull one back before the break when Jake Evans equalised, leaving the sides level at half-time. However, once again, our skipper stepped up to put us back in front with a confident finish from open space, after another cross by Olise.

Chelsea did not stop there, as our talented Brazilian substitute Deivid joined Vale on the score sheet and sealed the night’s result. He capitalised on a smart cutback from Kiano Dyer and smashed the ball home to secure a well-deserved three points.

Bright start

Chelsea kicked off the game with energy, the team as a whole immediately pressuring Leicester’s defence. We had our first real chance in the opening five minutes, with some smooth team play.

Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Mheuka - both recently returned from Athens after being on the bench for Enzo Maresca’s senior team in the Conference League - combined in an exciting moment. Rak-Sakyi stole the ball from a Foxes defender and spotted Mheuka, who fired a shot just wide of the post into the side netting.

Our Friday night opponents soon found their rhythm on our home turf as Kian Pennant sprinted towards goal into open space, but Blues defender Travis Akomeah stayed calm and composed, making a crucial block to keep the threat away.

Chelsea remained unfazed and soon came close to opening the score again. Tyrique George, fresh from his appearance off the bench in the men’s game against Panathinaikos, made a clever run and cut inside the area. He spotted Rak-Sakyi, who connected with the ball and drilled a low strike that was just inches wide of the post.

The team’s confidence was growing. George made a looping cross to Olise on the wing, who sent a precise pass to Donnell McNeilly, unmarked at the back post. McNeilly attempted an acrobatic strike, but Leicester’s Olabade Aluko managed a header that kept the shot out and saved his side from yet another close call.

Cool finish

It seemed only a matter of time until we found the opener and when it did arrive it came in style. Olise sprinted upfield, took on a Leicester defender and surged forward to pick out Mheuka in the box. Mheuka backheeled the ball to Vale, who took his time and neatly slotted it into the net to give Chelsea the lead.

With momentum on our side, we nearly doubled our advantage shortly after. Vale curled a brilliant cross into the area, finding McNeilly perfectly positioned in front of goal. His header was solid, but the Foxes keeper punched it away.

Another strong chance came as George whipped in a sharp cross into the penalty area, with Leicester struggling to deal with our dangerous delivery from wide positions. Mheuka connected with a powerful header, but the ball went just over the crossbar. McNeilly then tried his luck with a fierce strike at goal, this time Aluko managing a goal-line clearance, denying us once again.

Back square

Though Chelsea had clearly been on top, Leicester managed to pull a goal back, which felt harsh on the home side. Pennant initiated the move with a surge upfield, sending a through-ball to Evans. The Foxes No10 smashed it high past Lucas Bergstrom and in off the crossbar, levelling the game at 1-1 as the teams went into the break.

As we returned after the interval, the fixture began at a steadier pace than the first half. We saw a glimmer of hope when Vale fed a creative ball to George, but his stinging shot was blocked. The away side proved solid, making it difficult for the Blues to break them down.

After a cagey spell, Vale nearly found the breakthrough with an impressive cross that spun towards goal, but the Foxes' Aluko intercepted to save his team from falling behind.

Wasting no time off the bench, Deivid seized an opportunity as Filipe Coelho turned to his substitutes to bring fresh energy to the pitch. The striker picked up a loose ball outside the box and hammered a shot just wide, an effort that looked destined for goal before curling tantalisingly the wrong side of the post.

Restoring our lead

As the match picked up pace, Vale got a well-deserved second goal. It came from his link-up with Olise on the wing, who found him in open space with a low cross from the right, allowing our skipper to finish with a precise right-footed shot into the top-left corner.

With momentum building, Olise nearly scored himself with a powerful effort, but his shot sped past the far post.

We didn’t have to wait much longer for our third goal and what a fine finish it was. Dyer played a key role in the build-up, showing skill on the ball and cutting it back to super-sub Deivid, who effortlessly guided his first-time shot into the bottom corner.

Chelsea had to fight through the final stretch of the league clash, enduring eight minutes of added stoppage time. However, it proved no problem for the home side in the end, as we continued to dominate and held onto our lead, securing a 3-1 victory at the final whistle.

What's next

Chelsea Under-21s will next be in action on Tuesday evening against Charlton Athletic at The Valley, as we turn our focus to the EFL Bristol Street Motors Trophy with kick-off at 7pm. Tickets for the game are now off sale online, but can still be purchased in person at the stadium on the night.

Our Under-21s' next home fixture will be a London derby against Arsenal on 1 November, with every supporter purchasing tickets for that match at Kingsmeadow being entered into a prize draw to win tickets for the men's Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge 10 days later.

The teams

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Lucas Bergstrom; Alex Matos, Travis Akomeah, Ishe Samuels-Smith; Richard Olise, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Kiano Dyer, Harvey Vale (c); Donnell McNeilly (Deivid Washington 69), Tyrique George (Ato Ampah 81); Shumaira Mheuka (Jimmy-Jay Morgan 80)
Unused subs: Reiss Denny, Somto Boniface
Scorers: Vale 25, 79, Deivid 82
Booked: Dyer 88, Akomeah 90+5, Vale 90+8

Leicester City (4-2-3-1): Stevie Bausor, Olabade Aluko, Jamari Lindsay, Louis Page, Harvey Godsmark-Ford (c), Thomas Wilson-Brown (Josh King h-t), Jayden Joseph, Henry Cartwright, Kian Pennant, Jake Evans (Toby Onanaye 84), Deniche Hill (Bobby Amartey 61)
Unused subs: Liam McAlinnery, Harry French
Scorer: Evans 40
Booked: Wilson-Brown 16, Lindsay 22