Match report: Arsenal reserves 1 Chelsea 1
Arsenal reserves 1 Chelsea reserves 1
Arsenal reserves continued their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Underhill this evening, but in the end they were lucky not to lose.
Neil Banfield named four first-team players in a strong starting line-up. Johan Djourou, Alex Song, Armand Traore and Justin Hoyte were all involved whilst James Dunne switched to the right of midfield.
——————-Mannone———————-
–J.Hoyte——Nordtveit (c)——G.Hoyte—–Steer
–Dunne——-Song————–Djourou——Traore
—————Murphy———–Fonte
subs: Thomas (for Murphy, 67), Ogogo (for Fonte, 77). Not used: Rodgers, Ayling, Shea
Chelsea’s side was basically their Youth Cup side, although ‘keeper Stuart Searle added some experience to the team. The Blues also included January signing Franco di Santo in their line-up and the striker was to have a telling contribution in the latter stages of the game.
————————Searle—————–
Cummings——–van Aarnholt—–Magnay———-Bruma
Ferreira———-Smith————Younghusband—Philiskirk
————————–Tejera——————————
————————-Di Santo—————————-
subs: Philip (for Ferreira, 46), Fernandes (for Philiskirk, 66), Ofori-Twumasi (for Tejera, 78). Not used: Woods, Heinmann.
There was a scrappy start to the game with both sides in tentative mood and happy to keep possession whilst letting the opposition attack them. Chelsea had the first chance of the game though, when Sergio Tejera fired a shot wide from distance.
Arsenal soon realised that they needed to get forward themselves, Rhys Murphy did well to win a corner after latching on to a Justin Hoyte cross and from it Traore fired a weak shot at Searle.
Rui Fonte was next to test the Chelsea stopper. The Portuguese youngster produced a good save out of Searle after Johan Djourou did well to find him.
Tejera was becoming more and more involved for Chelsea, though, and hit a dipping free-kick which Vito Mannone tipped over the bar. In doing so, Vito collided with James Dunne and had to be treated for a couple of minutes but was okay to carry on afterwards.
Arsenal looked the most likely to score at this stage and Rhys Murphy fashioned a chance when there seemed to be no options available for him, but Searle was again equal to his effort.
Then, five minutes later the goal came. James Dunne, who had an impressive game tonight, rolled the ball to Alex Song from a free-kick and the Cameroon international hit a sweet strike past Searle. Arsenal had the lead and to be honest, they probably deserved it.
Chelsea almost got an immediate equaliser when Philiskirk skipped past both Justin and Gavin Hoyte, but the end product was lacking.
Now, both teams were resorting to a game of cat and mouse. First Mannone had to be alert to deny Tejera and Younghusband, then James Dunne found Fonte who didn’t get enough power in his shot to beat Searle.
Arsenal had a couple more chances before the first half was up. Rhys Murphy should have done better with a header from James Dunne’s corner, and then Justin Hoyte embarked on a long, solo run into the Chelsea box and with little offers in terms of support, went for goal himself but it was straight at Searle.
After two minutes of injury time, the referee blew the half-time whistle, with Arsenal one up at the break.
Half time- Arsenal 1 Chelsea 0
If the first half belonged to Arsenal, then the second most certainly belonged to Chelsea. Sub Philip who scored against Arsenal u-18s on Friday was causing all sorts of problems and he found Di Santo in space, you half expected him to roll it to either Tejera or the on-rushing Philip but he went for goal himself and duly scored.
Chelsea were growing stronger as the game wore on and Danny Philiskirk hit another effort over shortly before being replaced.
Fouls and substitutions were disrupting the flow of the game and this was underlined when two players were booked in a matter of minutes. First Rene Steer got a yellow for a foul on the edge of the area. Luckily for him, Smith hit it well over the bar. Chelsea’s Franco di Santo was the next to grab the referee’s attention and he went into the book for dissent.
With less than ten minutes remaining, both sides decided to go for the win. A scramble occured in the Arsenal box and the ball found its way out to Phil Younghusband, but the Philippines international scuffed his shot.
Arsenal were keen to get forward and Traore’s low cross was met by Ogogo, but the substitute hit it wide. James Dunne was booked with the clock ticking down and then Mannone did well to deny Fernandes’ acrobatic effort.
Alex Song had a chance to double his and Arsenal’s tallies in the dying moments of the game, but frustratingly his shot was straight at Searle.
Full time- Arsenal 1 Chelsea 1
Not the best performance from the youngsters, but there were some positives, such as James Dunne’s contribution.
PLAYER RATINGS
Vito Mannone-7- Made some good saves, but was sloppy at times
Justin Hoyte-6- Good going forward but poor defensively
Havard Nordtveit-6- Strong in the tackle but gave the ball away too easy
Gavin Hoyte-5- A poor first-half display, improved in the second
Rene Steer-6-Solid defensively, but had his runs tracked by Ferreira.
James Dunne-8-JEORGE BIRD’S MAN OF THE MATCH
A much improved performance and seems at home in his new position of right-midfield.
Alex Song-7- Laid back but scored a stunning goal.
Johan Djourou-6- A few lapses in concentration
Armand Traore-7- Much improved. Seems better as a winger
Rui Fonte-6- Finishing wasn’t up to standard
Rhys Murphy-6- Could have scored
SUBS
Jay Thomas-6- Provided an attacking instinct
Abu Ogogo-5- Could have grabbed the winner late on
