Hassan Sulaiman's side started brightly in wet and windy conditions at Millwall on Saturday morning, knowing a win would secure a spot in the knockout stages with games to spare.

Top scorer Sol Gordon broke the deadlock just six minutes in, finishing off a brilliant pass from Leo Cardoso to set the tone for the game.

With the lead at half-time, we were determined to extend our advantage. Cardoso scored next himself, receiving a through ball from Landon Emenalo, sprinting out on the wing and drilling in a low shot. Gordon then sealed his brace, stealing the ball from a Millwall defender and calmly slotting it past goalkeeper Jakub Przewozny.

The Lions pulled one back through George Beaumont, but Frankie Runham secured the win with a stoppage-time goal, completing a successful first Premier League Cup away trip following back-to-back home victories in the competition.

Quick start

The game got off to an intense start with both sides applying immediate pressure and showing aggression, making it clear this would be a physical battle.

Chelsea were the first to test the keeper when Runham stole the ball and sent it to Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, who sprinted up the wing. He crossed to Gordon, but the shot was deflected out of danger.

We didn’t have to wait long for an opener, as our smooth play paid off. Cardoso worked his way across the pitch and spotted Gordon in a perfect position. As soon as our No9 entered the space, he hammered the ball with power and accuracy to beat the keeper and find the back of the net. It was a brilliant finish.

The hosts started to grow into the game but our bold backline, particularly Harry McGlinchey and Olutayo Subuloye, stood strong and dealt with any threats Millwall tried to create. We kept applying pressure too, with the Blues midfield duo Emenalo and Ollie Harrison pushing the ball forward for Runham, as we looked to double our advantage.

As we approached the half-hour mark, Chelsea continued to pin Millwall back, playing as a unit and creating more chances. Cardoso flicked the ball into the box, where Runham leaped acrobatically, but his effort lacked the accuracy needed to extend our advantage.

Not long after, with momentum building, Runham tried again with a powerful shot from just inside the penalty area, but it flew narrowly over the crossbar. Chelsea were clearly on top.

Cardoso was becoming more dangerous as half-time neared. He unleashed a stinging effort from range after skillfully beating his marker, but Harry Taylor managed to block it. Another frustrating moment followed when Subuloye intercepted the ball inside the box from a Millwall defender and laid it off to Lewi Richards, but his powerful shot was saved.

On the brink of the interval, Chelsea were called into unexpected defending when Taylor connected with a thumping header that looked destined to be the equaliser. Somehow, goalscorer Gordon made an impressive goal-line clearance to head the effort away from danger. Thanks to that vital intervention, we went into the break with a 1-0 lead over the Lions.

The home side had the first chance of the second half as they looked to fight back. Beaumont sprinted up the wing and delivered a fizzing cross towards goal, but the Blues keeper stayed calm and denied the opportunity.

Chelsea remained unfazed. Cardoso, as lively as in the first half, worked his way into the area and chipped the ball towards goal, but it lacked the power to beat the shot stopper.

Ethan Whitby then had his first scoring opportunity of the game for the home side from a free-kick in an ideal position. His looping effort sailed over the Chelsea wall but drifted just wide of the far post.

About time

It was only a matter of time before our Portuguese youth international got on the scoresheet and he did so in superb fashion. Emenalo sent a perfect long-ball to Cardoso, who used the wing to his advantage. Cutting inside, he drilled a low effort into the bottom corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.

The momentum continued in our favour as another goal followed almost immediately, this time from Gordon. Using his immense speed, he put Sacha Vieira under pressure, nicked the ball off him following Crampton’s long pass, and smashed it past the Millwall keeper at his near post to add our third of the afternoon.

Chelsea continued to dominate as our partnerships began to shine. Richards linked well with Joseph Wheeler-Henry, who used his speed to push upfield in search of Cardoso inside the area. Despite our pressure, the Lions remained resilient and structured, making it difficult to break through.

Millwall eventually managed to get one back through Jaydon Thomas-Smith. He dispossessed Emenalo and played a clever ball to Beaumont, who slotted it into the bottom corner, denying Chelsea a clean sheet.

Final push

This game marked a special moment as schoolboy goalkeeper Toby Bell, who came off the bench to replace Kai Crampton between the sticks for the last 10 minutes and make his Under-18s debut. He was immediately called into action, reacting quickly to deny Will Wright’s powerful shot with a crucial save.

The Blues finished the match with character and determination, closing the scoring with a brilliant team effort. That ended with substitute Yahya Idrissi sprinting upfield and squaring the ball to Wheeler-Henry, but his shot couldn't find the back of the net. Runham was quick to react, though, pouncing on the loose ball and tapping it in during stoppage time.

We held onto our 4-1 lead firmly for what remained of the game, securing three Premier League Cup group-stage points to take back to Cobham.

What it means

Chelsea have topped Group F in the Under-18s Premier League Cup, securing three wins out of three games. This means we will progress to the knockout stages and reach the quarter-finals of the competition.

What is next

The Blues return to Under-18 Premier League action next Saturday 30 November, with another London derby. This time we host Tottenham Hotspur at Cobham in an 11am kick-off, which will again be streamed live for free on the official Chelsea website and app.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Kai Crampton (Toby Bell 81); Joseph Wheeler-Henry, Lewi Richards, Olutayo Subuloye, Harry McGlinchey (Marcell Washington 82); Ollie Harrison (c), Landon Emenalo; Leo Cardoso, Frankie Runham, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Reggie Walsh 61); Sol Gordon (Yahya Idrissi 81)
Unused sub: Chizaram Ezenwata
Scorers: Gordon 6, 62, Cardoso 59, Runham 90+2
Booked: Wheeler-Henry 90+3

Millwall (4-2-3-1): Jakub Przewozny, Da'Rell Archer, Sacha Vieira, Oliver Whitby, Harry Taylor, Dean Forbes, George Beaumont, Elias Mansor (Jayden Tektas 75), Elidon O'Boyle (Jaydon Thomas-Smith 63), Abdulahi Abdulazeez (William Wright 76), Sheldon Kendall
Unused subs: Tristan Parkes, Justin Ndikum
Scorer: Beaumont 78
Booked: Vieira 53, Mansor 75