With our FA Youth Cup fifth round tie to Manchester United taking place in midweek, 13 schoolboys were included in the squad for today’s league fixture.

Yet that inexperience at this level didn’t show as the Blues opened up a two-goal lead with inside the opening 25 minutes.

Ibrahim Rabbaj opened the scoring with a fine strike after connecting with Harry McGlinchey's cross and the young winger added a second with a curled effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Leicester responded in the second half when Kevon Gray headed home. However, we responded immediately when Andrew Pennie fired home on his Under-18s debut to ensure a second consecutive league victory.

No waiting around

The game started at a high temp and both sides enjoyed early possession and attacking moments. Yahya Idrissi linked up well with McGlinchey, putting pressure on Leicester's backline with sharp movement and dangerous runs.

Leicester, however, also posed a threat and pushed forward with intent. Despite this, Blues defenders Jacob Hall and Dante Waite stood firm to make it difficult for the Foxes to break through and test Freddy Bernal in goal.

The first genuine chance of the game fell to Bless Akolbire after Kaleb Dyke won possession from a Chelsea defender and played a clever through ball into his path. Fortunately for the Blues, Akolbire’s shot sailed over the crossbar.

The break through

That early chance for didn't shake the Blues confidence and we continued to push forward in search of our opener, which soon arrived. .

A well-constructed attack began with Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli driving upfield and playing the ball wide to the supporting McGlinchey. He surged down the flank and delivered a pinpoint low cross into the box for Rabbaj, who finished confidently beyond Jake Donohue.

We almost doubled our advantage moments later through Hezekiah Grimwade. Rabbaj spotted the winger inside the box after a long throw from Bernal. Grimwade struck his effort with power but Donohue reacted brilliantly to leap high and push the effort away.

A clinical strike

Chelsea continued to apply pressure on Leicester’s defence and grew in confidence with every attack.

We had a penalty appeal waved away when Idrissi was tripped inside the box, but Reggie Watson quickly won the ball back, found Rabbaj, and he produced a curled effort from 20 yards which found the far corner.

We didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity. Idrissi used his pace and skill to weave into the box and fire a shot from a tight angle, but Donohue reacted well to smother the effort.

Leicester eventually responded with an attack of their own, but Bernal was up to the challenge to deny striker Lorenz Hutchinson’s venomous strike.

As the half-time whistle approached, play was briefly halted due to an injury to Hugo De Lisle after a collision with Walter Nutter in midfield. Once play resumed, we remained in control.

The Blues' last chance of the half came through Nutter, who latched onto a cutback from Grimwade just outside the box. His shot took a slight deflection off a Leicester defender and that slowed it down enough for Donohue to make a comfortable save.

Staying focused

After the restart, Leicester came out with aggression and pinned us back in an effort to close the gap. Laolu Omobolaji caused problems down the wing; he cut inside and fired a shot that struck the post.

The Foxes continued to apply pressure and kept our defenders busy. Birmark Owusu saw a strike crash against the woodwork, with Bernal doing well to get a touch on the effort to tip it onto the crossbar.

Pressure continued to mount on the Chelsea goal. Omobolaji remained a constant threat on the wing and curled in an effort that looked destined for the back of the net. However, Bernal made a superb save to push the shot over the bar.

Final push

It felt only a matter of time until Leicester pulled a goal back, and they did, scoring a well-executed goal from a set-piece. Dyke played a short pass to Luqman Aideed, who delivered a quick cross for Gray to head home.

However, the Blues responded perfectly as moments later, we regained our advantage. A long kick from Bernal was expertly controlled by Pennie, who confident surged into the area and sent a looping shot into the back of the net to make it 3-1.

For the remainder of the match, we stayed focused, denying Leicester any further opportunities and securing all three Under-18 Premier League points as the final whistle blew, bringing the victory back to Cobham.

What's next

Chelsea Under-18s shift focus to the FA Youth Cup as we face Manchester United in the fifth round of the competition on Wednesday 12 February, at Leigh Sports Village. Kick-off is at 7pm, and supporters worldwide can watch the livestream on the official Chelsea app and website.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Freddy Bernal; Joseph Wheeler-Henry, Dante Waite, Jacob Hall, Harry McGlinchey; Reggie Watson, Walter Nutter; Ibrahim Rabbaj (Trey Faromo-Adebayo 66), Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Hezekiah Grimwade (Isago Mendes Da Silva 66); Yahya Idrissi (Andrew Pennie 66)
Unused subs: Isaac Collinson, Gabriel Sambou
Scorers: Rabbaj 15, 23, Pennie 74
Booked: Rabbaj 57, Waton 63

Leicester City (4-2-3-1): Jake Donohue, Alpha Diallo (Michael Toko 38), Reiss Khela, Bless Akolbire (Will Lawrence 75), Maxwell Adedeji, Kevon Gray, Birmark Owusu, Kaleb Dyke, Lorenz Hutchinson, Harry Sutherington (Hugo De Lisle 32) (Luqman Aideed 45+8), Laolu Omobolaji
Unused sub: Freddie Marson
Scorer: Gray 72