by Neil Weld
Pompey Academy were involved in another high scoring game as they returned to league action just three days after thrashing Bristol City 5-1 in the FA Youth Cup.
But this time they were on the receiving end of a heavy defeat, losing 5-2 to Chelsea at the Londoners’ Cobham base.
The hosts opened the scoring early on when Tom Howard’s effort looped home after an Amin Affane free-kick had cannoned back off the wall.
Pompey came close to levelling at the start of the second half, but James Jennings fired wide of the post.
And Chelsea made them may pay for that miss by doubling their advantage through Islam Feruz’s cool finish.
But the Blues got themselves back into the game on the hour mark when Jed Wallace took advantage of a poor clearance to fire home.
Just three minutes later, however, Chelsea restored their two-goal cushion as Reece Mitchell met Ismael Seremba’s low cross and converted from close range.
Pompey kept going, though, and again pegged their hosts back on 77 minutes with Sam Magri (pictured) – who missed a penalty against Bristol City – converting from the spot.
But Chelsea secured victory with two late goals. First Lewis Baker scored a penalty after Feruz had been fouled and then Seremba finished at the far post.
Academy manager Andy Awford said: “I’ve got no complaints about the result – Chelsea were the better side and deserved the win.
“They’ve effectively got two youth sides with one playing in the reserves, but they put out their strongest players against us.
“It was maybe a game too far for us after the cup game during the week. We rested a few players, but some of the lads looked a bit leggy.
“Having said that, it was only 3-2 until the closing stages and then we were undone by a couple of late goals.
“No-one wants to win more than me, but sometimes you have to look at the other side’s resources and take that into account.
“And it was a good education for our lads to play against the best players in the country at their age group. You learn more from playing against the better sides than you would from beating a weaker team.
“Now we have to move on and hopefully get a better result when we host Norwich next week.”
Chelsea: Beeney; Kane (c), Davey (Nkumi 27), Ake, Nditi; Baker, Swift; Howard (Seremba 30), Piazon, Affane (Mitchell 46); Feruz
Sub not used: Gordon
Pompey: Gledhill; Wheeler, Warren, Triggs, Grant (Fitzharris 63); Wallace, Magri (c), Branford; Jennings (Webster 53), Maloney; Harris (Antelmi 53)
Sub not used: Vine