The Blues took the lead after just eight minutes when Sol Gordon reacted quickest following a Frankie Runham corner to score his 12th goal of the 2024/25 season, giving us a one-goal advantage at the break.

Reading found their rhythm in the second half, but our defence stood strong. We eventually doubled our lead when Ryan Kavuma-McQueen produced a stunning strike from the edge of the box, finding the back of the net to make it 2-0.

As a united team, we remained resilient, giving everything to prevent Reading from adding to the scoreline. This solid performance secured back-to-back wins in the Under-18 Premier League, maintaining our momentum to move above Crystal Palace into second in the table, one point behind leaders Southampton.

No waiting around

Chelsea started with intent, immediately pressing high and looking to take control. Striker Chizaram Ezenwata was quick to make his presence felt with sharp runs into dangerous areas, but Reading’s backline did well to hold firm in the early stages.

The breakthrough didn't take long, though, and came from a well-worked set-piece. Runham’s whipped corner caused trouble in the box, taking a deflection off a Reading defender before falling perfectly for Gordon. Reacting instinctively, he slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the Blues a deserved early lead.

Reading responded quickly, looking to push forward and find an equaliser. Our defence was put to the test, with goalkeeper Jack Austin stepping up when it mattered. As George Booth swung in a dangerous corner, Austin showed great awareness, rising above the crowd to punch the ball clear.

Moments later, winger Kavuma-McQueen used his pace to burst down the flank, cutting inside and letting fly. His strike had power but flew just over the bar - a warning for the hosts.

Keeping alert

As Reading grew into the game, we had to stay sharp. Booth continued to be a threat, whipping in a cross to find T’Shay Saint-Louis. The forward controlled well and fired a shot on target, but Austin was equal to it, making a solid save to preserve our lead.

The Royals kept up the pressure, forcing Chelsea to dig in defensively. The biggest test came when Saint-Louis played a quick low ball across the box to Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith, who seemed certain to score. But just as he pulled the trigger, Harry McGlinchey threw himself into a crucial sliding block, denying the hosts a way back into the game.

Despite Reading's attacking push, we remained composed and disciplined, holding on to our lead as the half-time whistle blew. It was a solid first-half performance with the goal secured, but there was still plenty to do in the second half.

The second period was more tightly contested, with Reading coming out with urgency, determined to find a leveller. Chelsea had defending to do early on, with Olutayo Subuloye and Joseph Wheeler-Henry stepping up to make crucial blocks, frustrating Reading’s attempts to break through.

Substitute Verrell George provided the biggest test for Chelsea, cutting inside and firing a low shot on target. However, Austin remained unfazed, diving to collect the ball cleanly without any issues.

At the other end, Chelsea’s own substitute Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli made an immediate impact, injecting fresh energy into our attack. His quick link-up play with Gordon created a few promising chances, with Ezenwata involved, but Reading held firm. Despite that, there were signs we could find a way clear.

Super second

That glimmer of hope turned into reality when Kavuma-McQueen doubled the Blues' lead in style. After some excellent work from Ezenwata, who used his quick footwork to glide past defenders and find space, he played the ball to Kavuma-McQueen.

The winger couldn't connect at the first attempt, but kept control and danced around his markers before unleashing a powerful shot that took a slight deflection on it's way high into the net. It was a well-executed finish that extended Chelsea’s lead.

Reading responded quickly, thinking they'd pulled one back when Booth’s precise curling corner somehow squeezed between Austin and the far post. However, the referee’s whistle blew mid-air, disallowing the goal for a push on the keeper. The Blues were let off the hook.

We fought hard for the remainder of the match, giving everything in our own half to protect our advantage and staying focused through stoppage time to secure our second Under-18 Premier League clean sheet in as many games.

What's next

Chelsea will be in action on Saturday 12 April, when we host leaders Southampton in the Under-18 Premier League at Cobham, with an 11am kick-off. The match will be available to watch live, free of charge, on the official Chelsea website and app.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Jack Austin; Joseph Wheeler-Henry, Olutayo Subuloye (c), Calvin Diakite (Jacob Hall 80), Harry McGlinchey; Reggie Walsh, Yahya Idrissi, Frankie Runham (Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli 71); Sol Gordon, Chizaram Ezenwata, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen
Unused subs: Hudson Sands, Dante Waite, Isago Mendes Da Silva
Scorers: Gordon 8, Kavuma-McQueen 74
Booked: Kavuma-McQueen 55, Hall 90+3

Reading (4-2-3-1): Josh Welland, Carter Bowdery (Ryan Zie 74), Kai Source, Luke Howard, Phillip Duah, Sam Harrison, T'Shay Saint-Louis (Verrell George h-t), George Booth, Emmanuel Osho, Tyler Sackey, Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith
Unused subs: Harley Irish, Matthew Pullinger, Anthony Dove