U18 Highlights: Chelsea U18 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur U18 | Video | Official Site Chelsea Football Club
Chelsea started brightly, dictating the tempo and applying sustained pressure in the opening stages, but early dominance went unrewarded as we were unable to turn possession into a breakthrough.
Spurs grew into the contest and took the lead shortly after the half-hour mark when Armend Muslika curled a free-kick into the top corner. Despite continuing to probe, we headed into the interval trailing by one.
The response came soon after the restart. Ezenwata confidently converted from the penalty spot following a handball inside the box to level the scores. However, Tottenham restored their advantage moments later through a close-range finish from Tyler Tingey.
Chelsea refused to let the setback halt their momentum. New signing Jashayde Greenwood marked his debut in style, reacting quickest to a rebound and firing home to bring us level once more. It was a proud moment for the young forward and a timely boost for the side.
With confidence restored, we pushed hard for a late winner, but despite our relentless effort the contest ended all square in what proved to be an intense and entertaining London derby.
Quick start
Chelsea started with real intent, flying out of the blocks and immediately putting Spurs under sustained pressure. Lewi Richards stormed down the left and drilled a low cross across the face of goal, signalling our attacking intent from the first whistle.
Ezenwata was next to threaten. Latching onto a through ball, he lifted a delicate effort over the goalkeeper, only to be denied by a covering defender who hooked the ball off the line at full stretch.
The momentum stayed firmly with the Blues. Sol Gordon drove forward with purpose on the opposite flank, repeatedly testing the Spurs backline. The visitors offered a reminder of their threat on the break, as Jamel Beggs tried his luck from distance, but Freddy Bernal was equal to it with a confident save.
Chelsea quickly regained control. Charlie Holland went close with a powerful strike from the edge of the box that skimmed inches over the bar, and with pressure mounting, Mathis Eboue forced Dylan Thompson into another stop from range as we approached the half-hour mark.
Our pressure continued to mount. Holland weaved brilliantly inside the penalty area and appeared to be brought down, but the referee waved away strong appeals. Play continued and Kobe Barbour reacted quickest to the loose ball. He curled a superb effort towards the far corner, only for Thompson to tip it wide at full stretch.
Against the run of play
Despite our control of the game, it was Spurs who found the opener. A free-kick from a dangerous position was whipped into the top corner by Muslika, leaving Bernal helpless as it flew beyond his reach. It came against the run of play after a half we had largely dictated.
We looked to respond immediately. Kobe Barbour found space on the edge of the box and tried his luck, but his effort rose over the bar.
Our best chance of the half came in stoppage time. Richards delivered another pinpoint free-kick into the six-yard area, and Ezenwata met it cleanly at close range, but keeper Thompson produced an outstanding save to deny the equaliser and send Spurs into the break with a narrow lead.
Spurs started the second half with purpose and came close to extending their lead within minutes of the restart. Miracle Adewole found space inside the box and drilled a low effort towards goal, but it ricocheted off the post.
We quickly issued a response. Eboue surged into the area and unleashed a powerful strike, drawing a strong save from Thompson before the rebound cannoned off the woodwork. The momentum was shifting - and moments later, it fully swung in our favour.
Back on level terms
A corner from Richards sparked chaos in the Spurs penalty area and a defender was penalised for a blatant handball. Up stepped Ezenwata, composed as ever, to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and calmly slot home from the spot to level the scores at 1-1.
The lead was short-lived. Spurs launched a swift counter, and although Bernal produced a strong save from Samal Bangura, the loose ball fell to Tingey, who reacted quickest to force it over the line and restore Spurs’ advantage.
The young Blues refused to be shaken and continued to press for another equaliser. Reggie Watson delivered a perfectly lofted cross to the back post, where Ezenwata rose highest and met it with a firm header. The effort looked destined to find the net but rattled back off the post. Greenwood reacted fastest, smashing the rebound home to make it 2-2.
With momentum firmly on our side, we pushed for a late winner. Substitute Ibrahim Rabbaj injected energy and pace, racing past defenders before unleashing a powerful strike on goal. Thompson was equal to it, tipping the effort wide to keep the scores level.
Despite relentless efforts from both sides in the closing stages, neither could find a decisive goal, and the points were shared in a thrilling London derby.
What's next
The Under-18s will resume our league campaign next Saturday with an away match against Reading at Bearwood Park Training Ground. The game kicks off at 11am and will be available to watch for free via live stream on the Chelsea Official App and website.
The teams
Chelsea (4-3-3): Freddy Bernal; Lewi Richards, Dante Waite, Olutayo Subuloye (c) (Jacob Hall 64), Calvin Diakite (Reggie Watson 67); Isaac Badu, Charlie Holland, Mathis Eboue (Jashayde Greenwood 67); Kobe Barbour (Ibrahim Rabbaj 64), Chizaram Ezenwata, Sol Gordon
Unused sub: Hezekiah Grimwade
Scorers: Ezenwata (pen) 52, Greenwood 74
Booked: Bernal 55, Waite 83
Chelsea’s Premier League visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is on Saturday 1 November with a 5.30pm kick-off andticket sales for this match will be as follows:
Tuesday 21 October from 10am until 11:30am: Tickets will be sold to season ticket holders on a loyalty-point basis, one ticket per person. The number of loyalty points required will be announced on this website no later than 9:30am on Tuesday 21 October.
Tuesday 21 October from 12pm until 1:30pm: Tickets will be sold to season ticket holders on a loyalty-point basis, one ticket per person. The number of loyalty points required will be announced on this website no later than 9:30am on Tuesday 21 October.
Tuesday 21 October from 2pm until 3.30pm: Tickets will be sold to season ticket holders on a loyalty-point basis, one ticket per person. The number of loyalty points required will be announced on this website no later than 9:30am on Tuesday 21 October.
Tuesday 21 October from 4pm: All remaining season ticket holders who have yet to purchase can purchase one ticket per person.
Wednesday 22 October from 10am until 11:30am: Tickets will be sold to members on a loyalty-point basis, one ticket per person. The number of loyalty points required will be announced on this website no later than 9:30am on Wednesday 22 October.
Wednesday 22 October from 12pm until 1:30pm: Tickets will be sold to members on a loyalty-point basis, one ticket per person. The number of loyalty points required will be announced on this website no later than 9:30am on Wednesday 22 October.
Wednesday 22 October from 2pm until 3.30pm: Tickets will be sold to members on a loyalty-point basis, one ticket per person. The number of loyalty points required will be announced on this website no later than 9:30am on Wednesday 22 October.
Wednesday 22 October from 4pm: All remaining members who have yet to purchase can purchase one ticket per person.
Tickets will be sold online only.
Application process for supporters with access needs
Supporters who require accessible tickets can submit an application form found here; which can be submitted during the relevant selling period. Alternatively, supporters can call our access team on 0371 811 2012 or 0044 207 915 1950 (international callers) to reserve your tickets or enquire about further information. Personal assistant tickets can only be allocated via the above application process.
Accessible car parking
Accessible car parking is available for six Blue Badge holders. This is at the Duke’s Academy, adjacent to both the away ticket office and Entrance 11. Please contact the access team at [email protected] to reserve a space. Supporters will need to provide their car registration and email address and confirm they are happy for these to be passed to Tottenham Hotspur.
Allocation
We have received an allocation of 3,038 tickets which includes an allocation of 26 non-ambulant and 26 personal assistant tickets. Ambulant tickets will be taken from the main allocation.
Dispatching of tickets
The entire allocation will be digital tickets sent to supporters via email. Tickets will need to be downloaded by supporters into their Apple/Google wallet. Tickets will be sent the week commencing Monday 27 October.
Supporters who require assistance with their digital tickets can contact the ticket office on Friday 31 October no later than 12pm.
Loyalty points
Supporters will receive one loyalty point for this match.
Please note: loyalty points from Champions League three-match ticket bundle and Ajax individual match ticket purchases will be added after the Ajax match has been played.
Refunds
Away match tickets are not refundable.
Ticket prices
Tickets for this match are priced as follows:
Please note – any persons under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Adult £30.00
Senior (65+) £25.00
Junior (under 18) £18.00
Non-ambulant adult £30.00
Non-ambulant senior (65+) £25.00
Non-ambulant 18-21 £25.00
Non-ambulant junior (under 18) £18.00
Ambulant adult £30.00
Ambulant senior (65+) £25.00
Ambulant 18-21 £25.00
Ambulant junior (under 18) £18.00
Personal assistant - free of charge
Our Teenage Kicks series gets to know the Academy boys making their mark at Cobham as they kick off their careers in blue.
Hassan Sulaiman’s Under-18s return to action this weekend after the October international break - and what better way to get going again than a London derby against Spurs at home, live for free on Chelsea Official App and website?
One player ready to pick up where he left off is Chizaram Ezenwata, fresh from international duty with England Under-18s and back at Cobham in red-hot form.
The young striker has made a flying start to the season, scoring eight goals in six appearances across all competitions. Six of those goals have come in the Under-18 Premier League, while he’s also gained experience with the Under-21s in the EFL Vertu Trophy and featured in the Under-19s' UEFA Youth League squad.
Ezenwata joined Chelsea from Charlton Athletic as an Under-15 and signed his scholarship in July, just before the 2025/26 season kicked off. It’s been a whirlwind few months for the forward, but he’s hungry to keep the momentum going, and Saturday’s derby against Spurs offers the perfect stage.
Get to know our striker a little better below...
What are your biggest strengths?
'I’d say my biggest strengths are finishing, using my body well and holding off defenders. I like being physical, getting in the right positions and making sure I make those chances count.
'Scoring goals is one of my favourite aspects of play. I can never really describe how it feels, but it's just amazing! It makes you want to keep pushing and be more ambitious to continue working hard and progressing.'
What are you most looking forward to developing more this season?
'This season, I really want to sharpen my finishing even more and grow my overall game intelligence. I think I've started well, but there's always more you can do.
'It’s about learning with every match and becoming more complete as a player. I always want to keep developing and pushing my game further to become the best version of myself on the pitch.'
What's your favourite thing about being a striker?
'I love being a striker. I feel most natural in that position, it's where I can do damage and score goals.
'Like I've said, I love getting the goals! Not only for myself but for the team. Every goal is to help the team push forward and get the three points, or if it's a cup game, progress. We are all very team-driven, which is why I think we have been doing really well.'
What is your favourite type of fixture?
'I love London derbies! They always feel different. There’s more energy, more meaning and you can feel it in the atmosphere. It’s not just another game, there is more at stake for sure!'
Who would you say you look up to?
'I look up to players like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. They’re different types of players, but I take inspiration from both. I see parts of their game that I try to bring into mine.
'I like the technical side of Mbappe and the way he makes things look so effortless. Then, Haaland is just a machine! He's physical and makes goal scoring look easy. I like to watch them and I'm always entertained when watching both players, it's never boring.'
Who are your role models?
'My family play a major role in everything. In particular, my dad. He was the one driving me to training when I was younger, always supporting me. Family’s played a massive part in getting me here. Every day I do everything I can and bring my all for them.'
What do you do in your free time away from football?
'One of my biggest hobbies is music. I play the piano, guitar and I love to sing. It's my favourite hobby away from the pitch.
'I think it's important to chill away from the pitch so you can feel reset and refreshed to go ahead and give my all in everything.'
Watch our London derby action!
Supporters around the world can tune in to Chelsea Under-18s vs Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 18 October, with kick-off at 11am at Cobham. The match will be streamed live on the official Chelsea app and website. To watch the stream, visit the homepage shortly before kick-off or follow in the Match Centre below.
Chelsea dominated the match with 67 per cent of the possession and made 208 passes in the final third, in comparison to just 39 from our opponents. The win was our fifth from six Women’s Super League matches to remain at the top of the table.
‘It was really important that we won today,’ said Walsh afterwards. ‘But most of all that we played a good game. We felt like we played good football. That's something we want to build on now and keep doing in the rest of the matches.
‘The only thing that was missing today was maybe just the final pass, the final shot, the final action. We created a lot and we played some good stuff from the back to the front. It's a good performance to build on.’
Chelsea battled hard against an unwavering Spurs defence for the first hour of the match, before Walsh’s goal unlocked the victory.
The Blues midfielder explained her strike came off the back of a discussion she had with head coach Sonia Bompastor at the interval.
‘We were talking about having long-range shots at half-time,’ continued Walsh. ‘Sonia mentioned to me about having a shot and I just saw the space. I think it was just one of those, as soon as it leaves your foot, you know it’s a good strike. I wasn't expecting to score today, to be honest.
‘Today it was a little bit easier because they were sitting a little bit deeper. We were able to pick up the ball fairly easily around their box. It does make it a little bit easier to take those shots.
‘We had good possession and we were in control. I think as a holding midfielder, I can get up the pitch a bit more and help. I did know it was going in as soon as it left my foot, but it's not very often that I score the game winner, so I'll take it.’
When Walsh signed for Chelsea back in January, she linked up at club level with international team-mate Millie Bright.
On Sunday, Bright reached 300 appearances for the Blues, and Walsh took the time to praise the captain’s achievement.
‘I think to reach 300 for any club is incredible,’ said Walsh. ‘It shows her longevity and how available she has been throughout her career, which I think is massive. As a person and a player, she's incredible.
'Obviously, I play in front of her most of the time for Chelsea and England. Just having her behind me, she gives me a lot of confidence because I know how good she is. Off the pitch, she's a true professional and sets the standards for everybody else. I’m lucky to be in the changing room with her.’
WSL Highlights: Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham | Video | Official Site Chelsea Football Club
Chelsea Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women | Match | Official Site Chelsea Football Club
The Blues battled to a 1-1 stalemate away at Manchester United in our last outing in the Women’s Super League, and were held by the same scoreline at the hands of Twente in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in midweek.
While Chelsea struggled to break down Tottenham’s defence at Kingsmeadow on Sunday for long periods of the game, a strike from range by Keira Walsh in the 61st minute was enough to see us take all three points.
‘It was really important,’ said Bompastor afterwards. ‘It’s crucial for what we want to achieve. I’m pleased with the result today, for sure, but also the performance we put in on the pitch.
‘It’s never easy to bounce back when you drop points in two different competitions. The players showed character on the pitch, and the performance was exactly what we had to do.
‘We created a lot, we were dominant and I’m pleased with that because reflecting on the Spurs dynamic coming into the game, they looked really strong. Today, we were able to control the game.
‘I said at half-time for us to continue what we were doing because I was confident enough that we would at least score one, and we did.’
Chelsea took 27 shots on goal during the match and saw 11 of those blocked by a resolute Tottenham side who had won four of their five opening matches in the WSL this season.
Bompastor was content to see her players attempting shots from distance and, ultimately, Walsh’s strike from 18 yards out was the difference between the two teams on the day.
‘I always tell my players to be brave on the pitch,’ Bompastor continued. ‘They have the quality to take risks. Even if they try and sometimes they are not successful, they always have their team-mates to back them up.
‘Having many different options is crucial when you face teams like Spurs, who are really resilient and defend the box really well. They were really compact and really aggressive inside the box today, so Keira’s long-range shot was the right thing to do.’
Walsh hasn’t previously held a reputation for scoring goals from her position as a holding midfielder. Bompastor explained why she’s been encouraging the 28-year-old to take more shots, leaning into her ability to strike the ball with power and accuracy.
‘Keira has this strength in her game,’ said the head coach. ‘Technically she’s really good and she has a lot of power when she shoots from distance. For me, she has this feeling of knowing where she needs to be around the edge of the box.
‘She showed that this summer in the Euros and with us in training sessions and in games she’s doing that as well. Her goal was really important for us today. She helped the team to perform and win the match, and in these tight games it’s crucial that players show their individual talents.’
After the midweek stalemate against FC Twente, Bompastor spoke about the need for clinical finishing. While Chelsea once again created plenty of chances in the first half against Spurs and had 45 touches in the opposition box, we managed only one shot on target before the break.
The second half continued in the same vein. More chances. More corners. In fact, the Blues won 15 corners in the first hour of the match.
With 30 minutes remaining, the frustration in the stands at Kingsmeadow was growing. We needed a moment of quality to breach the defence, and that's exactly what Keira Walsh provided with her powerful strike from the edge of the box. The celebrations were filled with relief.
The strike was so pivotal that the minutes which followed were almost without incident. That was until Lucy Bronze made her long-awaited return from injury to a huge cheer from the home supporters.
With the 1-0 win, we remain unbeaten in the Women's Super League during the Sonia Bompastor era and recorded our fifth victory of the season to stay top of the table.
Milestones passed
Skipper Millie Bright made her 300th appearance for the Blues and defensive partner Nathalie Bjorn also passed a major milestone, completing her half-century in a Blues shirt.
Bompastor switched up her side once more after the stalemate against Twente in midweek, bringing back Hannah Hampton in goal as well as a return for Bjorn, Walsh, Erin Cuthbert, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Wieke Kaptein and a fit-again Niamh Charles.
The Blues got off to a positive start when Charles played a ball down the line for Thompson, who burst into the box with an injection of pace, beat her marker Ashleigh Neville, and fired a shot on goal that went just over the bar.
Positive start
Enjoying plenty of possession in the opening 20 minutes, Chelsea won a total of seven corners, but the Tottenham defence held firm. Thompson looked lively in particular, with the American forward having fashioned three chances in the opening period of the match.
With Chelsea enjoying the vast majority of the possession, we then forged a clear-cut opportunity to score when Thompson played an instinctive reverse pass into the box for Aggie Beever-Jones, but Spurs keeper Lize Kop smothered the chance before the striker could really pull the trigger.
Tottenham – who had won four of their previous five Women's Super League games – had defended in numbers, but we could've headed in at the break having nicked the lead. Rytting Kaneryd's work down the right saw her play a dangerous ball into the box, but Kaptein couldn't connect with the goal at her mercy.
Chances aplenty
As the second half got under way, Bjorn fired a shot over the bar from a corner, and some more good work from Thompson saw her make a run from the wing into a central area where she could take a shot. Kop scrambled to the corner of her goal and just about got down to gather the attempt.
The pressure on the Spurs goal was increasing. Rytting Kaneryd powered into the box, pulled a pass back for Kaptein, who found Beever-Jones, but some last-ditch defending from the visitors quashed the danger once more.
On the hour mark, some space opened up for Carpenter on the edge of the box. The Australian went for the shot and Kop just about did enough to stop the attempt from dipping under the bar.
Deadlock broken
It was beginning to feel like the goal would never come. That was, until Carpenter teed up Walsh on the edge of the box. The England international turned her body slightly and quickly fired a low shot hard into the bottom corner.
After the visitors had given everything to keep the scores goalless, Walsh's strike seemed to take the wind out of their sails. While they kept Chelsea from adding to the score, they didn't threaten to equalise, as the sting was taken out of the contest in the final 15 minutes.
Aside from a hard-fought three points for the Blues, there was another positive moment for the home supporters when Bronze made her first appearance of the season, replacing Carpenter in stoppage time.
What it means
Chelsea remain two points clear of Manchester United at the top of the WSL table.
What comes next
We return to European action at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, with a fixture against Paris FC.
The teams
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Hampton; Carpenter (Bronze 92), Bjorn, Bright (c), Charles (Buurman 56); Walsh, Cuthbert; Thompson (Reiten 78), Kaptein (Macario 56), Rytting Kaneryd; Beever-Jones (Kerr 78)
Unused subs: Peng, Nusken, Hamano, Jean-Francois
Scorer: Walsh 61
Booked: Carpenter 15, Bright 71
After a 1-1 draw with Twente in midweek, the boss has once again made alterations to her starting line-up. Hannah Hampton returns in goal for this Women's Super League fixture, while defender Nathalie Bjorn makes her 50th appearance for Chelsea.
Captain Millie Bright also passes a huge milestone, making her 300th appearance for the Blues as she lines up alongside Bjorn in defence.
Quartet Keira Walsh, Erin Cuthbert, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Wieke Kaptein come back into the starting XI to face Spurs.
Niamh Charles makes her return from injury and goes straight into the side, while Lucy Bronze is also named on the bench for the first time this season following her post-European Championship lay-off.
Chelsea: Hampton, Carpenter, Bjorn, Bright (c), Charles, Walsh, Cuthbert, Thompson, Kaptein, Rytting Kaneryd, Beever-Jones