This fixture started with intensity, knowing only one team would progress to the semi-finals of the Academy competition.

Chelsea began brightly, opening the scoring with a beautiful link-up from our schoolboy duo. Ibrahim Rabbaj volleyed the ball wide to Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, who dribbled into the area, cut inside and found the bottom corner to put us ahead at the break.

The aggression continued as we doubled our lead through Genesis Antwi, who roofed the rebound after Rabbaj's initial shot was saved.

However, late in the second half, Liverpool reacted. Trey Nyoni pulled one back with a low strike, sparking the Reds’ comeback. Rio Ngumoha then added another with a well-worked goal.

In stoppage time, disappointment struck as Liverpool found the back of the net with a tap-in from Alvin Ayman, ending our Premier League Cup run for the 2024/25 season.

Assessing the opposition

Chelsea fielded a youthful side for our quarter-final clash at Cobham, with six schoolboys in the starting XI.

We saw an early spell of confident play from the back, with towering defender Olutayo Subuloye picking out Rabbaj, who used his pace well on the wing. However, Liverpool made it difficult for us to create clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges.

As both teams settled into the game, a cagey period followed, with each side trying to assert dominance. The Reds came close through a lightning-fast counter-attack as winger Ngumoha used his blistering pace to charge upfield and fired a powerful shot at goal. Hudson Sands reacted superbly, diving at full stretch to push the ball away from danger.

Simply stunning

It wasn’t long before we stamped our authority on the game with a goal of sheer quality. The move started from the back with Emenalo calmly distributing the ball. Rabbaj then delivered a brilliant curling volley across the field to switch play to Kavuma-McQueen.

Our winger showcased his immense speed, breezing past his marker into open space. As he entered the area, he cut inside with a clever dummy before unleashing a clinical low strike into the far corner, giving Chelsea the lead in flawless fashion.

The goal lifted our confidence and we pressed forward immediately after the restart. Kavuma-McQueen and Reggie Walsh linked up well, driving at Liverpool’s defence and applying relentless pressure, showing our intent to extend the advantage before half-time.

But, Liverpool responded with urgency, hunting for an equaliser. They had a flurry of chances, the first coming from Joe Bradshaw’s venomous volley. Luckily, defender Calvin Diakite was alert, making a crucial interception to divert the shot that seemed destined for goal. Ngumoha remained a threat, attempting a curling effort that narrowly missed the post, giving Chelsea a brief escape.

Despite the pressure, we held firm. Our defence remained united, linking well with the midfield to control possession and ensure we maintained our crucial one-goal advantage heading into the break of this must-win fixture.

The Blues goalkeeper was called into early action after the second period kicked off. It was a low shot from Nyoni from a tight angle, but Sands did well to hold his dominance and collect the ball comfortably.

Extending our lead

But it was Chelsea who were clinical in front of goal as we extended our lead. The breakthrough came when Kavuma-McQueen made a brilliant run down the flank, delivering a perfect squared pass to Rabbaj inside the area. His initial effort was denied by Kornel Misciur, but our attacking right-back Antwi reacted quickest as he pounced on the rebound and rifled it into the roof of the net to extend our advantage.

We thought we had a third when Kavuma-McQueen, still lively, cut the ball back for Walsh, who struck it cleanly. But to his frustration, his effort smashed into the side netting, letting Liverpool off the hook.

With momentum fully on our side, we continued to cause problems for our visitors. Antwi was a constant threat on the flank, whipping a dangerous cross into the box, where schoolboy striker Chizaram Ezenwata executed a perfectly timed bicycle kick. It looked destined for the net, but somehow, Misciur pulled off a bold save to deny what could have been a spectacular goal.

Frustrating scenes

The closing stages were frustrating for Chelsea as Liverpool mounted an unexpected comeback. They pulled one back through Nyoni’s powerful low strike, set up by Bradshaw as he drove into the penalty box.

Liverpool didn’t wait long for the equaliser. With just three minutes left in normal time, Ngumoha charged into the box and as he entered the penalty area he unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner. His name was on the scoresheet and the game was level.

Just as we thought the match was heading into extra time, Liverpool struck again, scoring their third goal of the afternoon during injury time. The move began with quick, precise passing and when Josh Lambie raced down the flank, he delivered a cross for Ayman to neatly tap in.

Despite continued pressure during injury time, Chelsea couldn't find that equaliser and Liverpool held on to complete their late comeback.

What it means

This narrow defeat sees Chelsea bow out of the competition with our Premier League Cup run ending at the quarter-final stage.

What's next

Chelsea will next face Leicester City in the Under-18 Premier League, away at the LCFC Training Ground on Saturday 8 February - an 11am kick-off. Supporters worldwide can watch the game for free via the Official Chelsea App.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Hudson Sands; Genesis Antwi, Olutayo Subuloye, Landon Emenealo, Calvin Diakite; Ollie Harrison (c), Charlie Holland (Walter Nutter 88); Ibrahim Rabbaj (Yahya Idrissi 90+3), Reggie Walsh (Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli 87), Ryan Kavuma-McQueen; Chizaram Ezenwata
Unused subs: Harry McGlinchey, Freddy Bernal
Scorers: Kavuma-McQueen 27, Antwi 58
Booked: Antwi 34

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Kornel Misciur, Dj Esdaille, Clae Ewing, Carter Pinnington, Amara Nallo (c), Joe Upton, Joe Bradshaw (Kareem Ahmed 90+5), Alvin Ayman (Afolami Onanuga 90+3), Josh Lambie, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha
Unused subs: Bailey Hall, Louis Enahoro-Marcus, Schofield Lonmeni
Scorers: Nyoni 83, Ngumoha 87, Ayman 90+1
Booked: Nallo 23, Upton 90