The Blues started strongly in our third fixture of this season's competition, but it was Derby who took the lead when Johnson Osong rifled the ball into the net after receiving a cross from Emanuel Ilesanmi.

Chelsea quickly responded as Harvey Vale finished a well-executed set piece. Kiano Dyer, named PL2 Player of the Month for October, sent a short ball to Mheuka, who teed up Vale for a low shot into the bottom corner.

Filipe Coelho's side continued to push forward and after Richard Olise delivered a perfect looping ball into the box, Deivid Washington rose to head it past the Derby keeper.

Just before the break, our third goal arrived as Sam Rak-Sakyi stormed upfield and found Vale who hammered a shot beyond Jack Thompson.

However, Derby were far more assertive in the second period and Jake Buxton's substitutions had an immediate impact. Jaydan Davidson scored with a clipped finish, Lennon Wheeldon then netted, and Cruz Allen sealed the win by catching Max Merrick off guard and tapping into the open net.

Starting strongly

Chelsea began the clash on the front foot and put immediate pressure on the Derby defence. It led to the first chance coming inside the opening minute as Deivid spotted Mheuka inside the area and our No.9 drilled a low strike toward goal. However, Thompson reacted well to collect the chipped effort.

Derby soon found their rhythm and posed a threat of their own. Allen fired a stinging shot at goal which forced Blues shot-stopper Merrick into his first save of the evening. It became clear this match would be an entertaining one.

Unfazed, Chelsea's attacking players continued to link up beautifully. Captain Vale stormed into the area and found Deivid who tried his luck, but Kei Robinson made a solid block and diverted any danger.

Despite our relentless attacks, we couldn’t find the back of the net. Merrick sent a looping pass over to Vale, who spotted Richard Olise in a one-on-one situation, but his effort was turned away. Mheuka managed to pick up the rebound, only to be denied by a brilliant block from a Derby defender.

Although we had dominated the early exchanges, the tide turned quickly and Derby found the opener with a swift attack down the wing. It enabled Ilesanmi to cut the ball back through the legs of Blues defender Kaiden Wilson and Osong capitalised to fire home close range.

The Rams nearly doubled their lead as Allen connected with goalscorer Osong, but his shot drifted past the far post allowing Chelsea a lucky escape.

Flying in front

The Blues responded well and it was only a matter of time until an equaliser arrived. And when it did, it was scored in style. Dyer played a short free-kick to Mheuka, who took a touch and found Vale on the run. He then powered his strike past Thompson from yards. It was a superb effort.

Our confidence grew and soon a second goal arrived. Olise delivered a brilliant curled cross into the area and our Brazilian forward perfectly timed his leap to connect with a brilliant header and find the back of the net.

With momentum with the Blues, a third goal soon arrived. Once again, it came through Vale. It started with Rak-Sakyi who, fresh off his senior debut against Noah, charged upfield, and with support from Deivid and Mheuka he squared the ball to Vale who tucked it neatly into the corner beyond Thompson's reach.

For the remainder of the period, Chelsea continued to dominate. It ensured we went into the interval on top, leading 3-1.

Rams response

Derby started the second half the brighter of the two teams – and substitute Davidson found the back of the net following a quick attack down the pitch which was started be a long through ball from Ilesanmi.

Chelsea still had chances to add to their tally and Mheuka came close to getting his name on the scoresheet after linking up with Ishe Samuels-Smith. On this occasion, Thompson stepped up to deny the 17-year-old striker's attempt.

Another Derby substitute, Wheeldon, then brought the sides level. After picking up a loose ball, he stormed down the pitch, held off his Blues markers, and clipped the ball into the back of the net.

Now backed by an increasingly vocal home crowd, the Rams got themselves in front by capitalising on a Chelsea defensive error. With Merrick having moved off his line, Allen seized the chance to collect the ball and roll it into an open net from range.

With seven minutes of stoppage time to play, Chelsea attempted a fightback in search of a point. Coelho turned to his bench for a burst of energy, and Somto Boniface pushed upfield to try to fashion an opening for forward Jimmy-Jay Morgan. Yet Derby’s defence stayed united and made it difficult for us to find the target.

Although we fought until the final whistle, it wasn’t enough to overturn Derby’s lead and we left the Proctor Cars Stadium empty-handed.

What's next

After the November international break, the Under-21s return to action in the Premier League International Cup, where we will host Real Sociedad at Kingsmeadow. Kick off is at 7pm on Tuesday 26 November.

Tickets are available for that fixture with our new prices: supporters who hold a season ticket, a membership, or are juniors (Under 20) can claim one ticket free of charge. For everyone else, prices will be £4.

The teams

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Max Merrick; Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson (Ato Ampah 83), Zak Sturge (Somto Boniface 74); Richard Olise, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Kiano Dyer, Ishe Samuels-Smith; Deivid Washington, Harvey Vale (c); Shumaira Mheuka (Jimmy-Jay Morgan 73)
Unused subs: Travis Akomeah, Reiss Denny
Scorers: Vale 26, 33, Deivid 30
Booked: Murray-Campbell 55

Derby County (4-2-3-1): Jack Thompson, Jack Perry, Tristan Gill, Freddie Turley, Jake Rooney (c), Kei Robinson, Niall McAndrew (Jaydan Davidson h-t), Harry Hawkins (Darren Robinson h-t), Emanuel Ilesanmi (Lennon Wheeldon 62), Cruz Allen (Owen Eames 76), Johnson Osong
Unused sub: Harry Evans
Scorers: Osong 16, Davidson 49, Wheeldon 63, Allen 70
Booked: Gill 29