It was a very quick start from the Cottagers as they took the lead with the first shot of the game. Michael Olakigbe cut inside onto his left foot and struck a shot which was deflected up and over Ted Curd, who was between the sticks for our young Blues.

We struggled to create anything clear-cut in the first 25 minutes of the game and we were very lucky not to go two goals down. A great delivery from Stefan Parkes was cleared by Derrick Abu, but his clearance landed at the feet of Imani Lanquedoc who missed from six yards out.

We failed to heed the earlier warning and the Cottagers secured their second of the game through Lanquedoc. The lively Olakigbe slipped in Olly Sanderson and his measured cut-back found Lanquedoc, who rifled the ball into the roof of the net giving Curd no chance.

After another free header in the box from Fulham, Ed Brand decided to change the formation and that immediately saw us have our first shot of the game from Ronnie Stutter, who stung the palms of the Fulham keeper.

There was an immediate indication of our intent in the second half as we looked a lot more threatening. Brodie Hughes delivered a cross which found the head of the onrushing Leo Castledine, but his effort was just wide.

Our young Blues were getting closer as Silko Thomas was next to test the Fulham goal with a left-footed shot which only just missed the crossbar.

The defeat means we slip further behind in the Under-18 Premier League race. This was only the third time this season we have failed to score in an Under-18 Premier League game.

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Ted Curd; Brodi Hughes, Josh Tobin, Frankie Terry; Derrick Abu (Billy Gee 45+1), Sam Rak-Sakyi, Silko Thomas Edwin Andersson; Leo Castledine, Ronnie Stutter (Louis Flower 78), Tudor Mendel-Idowu (Zain Silcott-Duberry 65).Unused Subs: Richard Olise, Prince Adegoke.

Fulham (3-4-2-1): Mikey Allen; Devan Tanton, Stefan Parkes (c), Harvey Araujo, Charlie Robinson; George Okkas (Xavier Benjamin 81), Michael Olakigbe, Delano McCoy-Splatt; Olly Sanderson, Luke Harris, Imani Lanquedoc (Lemar Gordon 75).Unused Subs: Alfie McNally, Terrell Works, Murphy Parker.Scorers: Michael Olakigbe 2; Imani Lanquerdoc 31Booked: Stefan Parkes 78