Our young Blues returned to action against the Baggies on Saturday afternoon looking to get back to winning ways after back-to-back losses to Norwich City and Crystal Palace respectively.

A number of players missed out due to England Under-17 commitments, including the likes of Kiano Dyer, Josh Acheampong and Michael Golding.

We thought we had taken the lead as Louis Flower stretched to beat the keeper to the ball but the referee ruled it out after Flower was adjudged to have fouled the goalkeeper. However, a deserved opener soon came our way when Tyrique George pounced on a wayward clearance and drove towards goal. He found space and then shot but the keeper could only parry it into the path of Mendel-Idowu, who finished with a first-time effort.

There were very few chances in the first period but we did manage to fashion another opportunity and this time it was McNeilly who slid in Flower, but the striker’s shot was straight at the keeper.

Our young Blues had to soak a lot of pressure in the second half as we tried to counter our opponents. A good defensive shape from us meant we were able to contain the advances of the home side and eventually it paid off as second-half substitute and 15-year-old Shumaira Mheuka powered through midfield and played a lovely through ball to McNeilly, with the striker placing the ball past the keeper with his weaker foot.

We then had an opportunity to grab a third as Flower was fouled by the goalkeeper in the penalty box but McNeilly blasted his shot off the crossbar and Mendel-Idowu, who tapped the rebound into the net, was given offside.

There was still late drama as West Brom's Fenton Heard headed into the goal after a great cross from Samuel Oluwatobi.

Yet we managed to see the game out and hold onto the lead as we look ahead to next week’s fixture against Derby County in the Under-18 Premier League Cup.

Chelsea(4-2-3-1): Luke Campbell; Brodi Hughes (c) (Shumaira Mheuka 53), Kaiden Wilson, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Saeed Olagunju (Genesis Antwi 76); Harrison McMahon, Frankie Runham, Tyrique George, Tudor Mendel-Idowu, Donnell McNeilly, Louis Flower (Chinonso Chibueze 79)
Unused subs: Max Merrick, Trialist
Scorers: Mendel-Idowu 28; McNeilly 53
Booked: McNeilly 77; McMahon 87; Wilson 90

West Brom (4-2-3-1): Beau Hurd; Alex Williams, Femi Olofinjana (Jenson Sumnair 79), Evan Humphries (Archie Kirton 79), Kevin Mfuamba (Archie Oliver 79), Matt Richards, Tobias Hurlock (Samuel Oluwatobi 66), Akeel Higgins (c), Fenton Heard, Layton Love
Unused subs: Cisse
Scorers: Heard 80