FA Youth Cup 5th Round: Chelsea 2-1 Barnsley

Due to circumstances completely out of our control, last night's LIVE updates were stopped just at the start of the second-half. Sincere apologies, but after being 1-0 down within 15 seconds, Chelsea rallied round and two second-half goals from Josh McEachran and a late winner from Nathanial Chabolah, put the FA Youth Cup holders through to the 6th round. 

The 6th round fixture date and opponents has already been set for Wednesday 2nd March against Watford at Stamford Bridge, kick-off at 7pm.

Straight from the kick-off, Reuben Noble-Lazarus who has played for Barnsley first team, broke down the left and sent in a low cross for Danny Rose to scoop high into Chelsea's net.

Stunning start for Barnsley, but for Chelsea it was old hands knowing better because they went 1-0 down quite early to Arsenal in the last round.

Chelsea's equaliser came at the start of the second-half from Josh McEachran sliding a shot in on the angle at the near post. It was only a matter of time before the equaliser came, but it did take a while.

Other than a Barnsley free-kick and an extremely late, late effort after Chelsea took the lead, Barnsley rarely threatened.

Chelsea's winner was as late as Milan's against Arsenal. From a Josh McEachran free-kick, Barnsley's 'keeper came out to punch.... and missed, leaving 16yr old Nathanial to head into an empty net.

Naturally Dermot Drummy was pleased with the result after the bad start and the performance.

He said, "In the end it is a pleasing result because of the team's mentality. They don't see themselves as beaten. We were sloppy in going 1-0 down, it wasn't good defending at all but the players don't get fazed.

"We were a bit tentative and playing a bit too deep so we said at half-time, relax, enjoy it, you are better than that.

"Milan and Josh then pushed higher and we took the game to them.

"We created enough chances to win the game first half and second half we created a good goal out of nothing. We had good advantage height-wise but the winning goal we were poor on finishing the set pieces, so there are areas we can improve.

"We are trying to get it down and play, the centre-backs are breaking out from the back and we need our midfield slightly higher, but the willingness to learn and play is a credit to the club."


Chelsea: Blackman, Kane, Pappoe (c), Chalobah, Deen-Conteh, Clifford, Saville, McEachran, Devyne (Affane 89), Lalkovic, Nditi (Rodgers 75)


Barnsley: Lidakevicius, Stones, Gorman, Scott (c), Carlisle (Patterson 88), Yun (Taylor), Turner (Hodgson), Clark, Noble-Lazarus, Steade, Rose