Chelsea came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup this evening. A brace from Milan Lalkovic completed a well earned come back after an own goal from Billy Clifford put the Gunners in front at Stamford Bridge.
Steve Bould was able to call upon Benik Afobe after he passed a late fitness, he started along with Sead Hajrovic and Jernade Meade, both of whom returned after injuries. Ignasi Miquel stepped down from first-team duty to captain the side.
ARSENAL: Martínez; Boateng, Hajrovic, Miquel, Brislen-Hall; Özyakup, Yennaris, Ebecilio, Aneke, Meade; Afobe.
Bould and his opposite number Dermot Drummy both predicted a tight affair, but Arsenal got a near perfect start. Emi Martínez’s long punt forward saw Benik Afobe win his side an early corner. Oğuzhan Özyakup’s delivery was flicked on by Sead Hajrovic, and with nobody around him, Billy Clifford turned into his own net from close range. 1-0 after just 90 seconds.
Chelsea hit back instantly, and Arsenal had Martínez to thank for keeping them in front. Milan Lalkovic first worked the Argentine after a flowing move, then he blocked and Miquel was forced to turn over his own bar from one yard out after Lalkovic piled on the pressure.
The game then became end to end. First the visitors were denied a tame penalty appeal through Afobe, then Clifford thought he got the equaliser only for it to be ruled out for offside. The Blues kept going, and should have finally levelled when Pappoe had a free header from close range, but Martínez denied Chelsea again.
Nico Yennaris and George Saville then had a coming together in the middle of park, after going for a 50:50 ball. Yennaris came off far worse and medical staff from both clubs came on to treat the youngster. He was eventually put on a stretcher and taken straight to hospital with a suspected broken ankle. Josh Rees came on, but the injury was a massive blow.
Afobe and Lalkovic then had efforts cleared off the line in first half stoppage time, but at the break Arsenal maintained their slender advantage.
Drummy got his players fired up as they came out for the second half, and it took them just four minutes to turn that positive energy into end product.
A loose ball was allowed to run by Miquel, Lalkovic took advantage and ran onto it and finished beyond the on rushing Martínez. A comical goal to concede, but Chelsea didn’t mind, 1-1, game on.
The hosts then pressed home their advantage and had Arsenal hanging on in a dominant 15 minute spell. Lalkovic forced Martínez into two fine saves, then Brislen-Hall was forced to block and clear two goal bound efforts following set pieces.
With extra time looking inevitable, Chelsea finally got their break through. Martin Angha came on to strengthen the back line, but there was little he could do as Lalkovic finished brilliantly in the 91st minute to win the game. It was a massive blow. 2-1.
Arsenal failed to hit back, and go out of the FA Youth Cup in the worst possible way. A derby defeat in that manner, coupled with the injury to Nico Yennaris, add up to a disappointing night for Bould’s boys.