December 19, 201113 yr Great result. Here's the complete match report. RESERVE REPORT: ARSENAL 0 CHELSEA 4 Posted on: Mon 19 Dec 2011 Summary Chelsea's reserves completed a stunning away victory at Arsenal on Monday afternoon, led by two-goal captain Nathaniel Chalobah. The versatile youngster, playing in deep midfield, netted a clever back-heel to open the scoring seven minutes before half-time, adding a third from a sumptuous free-kick after Romelu Lukaku had clipped home a second goal five minutes into the second period. Lucas Piazon completed the goalscoring shortly before full-time with a cute solo effort, twisting and turning inside the area before firing home. The win takes us above the Gunners in the Premier Reserve League South table. Team news Coach Dermot Drummy was able to include Lukaku in his starting line-up with the forward not involved in first-team duties at the weekend, looking for a fifth successive unbeaten game with the second string. Lukaku, with three goals in as many reserve games going into this one, was flanked once again by Milan Lalkovic on the right and Piazon on the left. Two weeks ago Aston Villa were beaten at Cobham but there was no captain Sam Hutchinson this time, his place taken by the fit again Rohan Ince who is close to full fitness and Chalobah took the armband. Jacob Mellis was back in central midfield in place of Billy Clifford, who was injured against Villa. First Half Chelsea started well and should have been in front early when Lukaku's hard work created a space for Chalobah inside the area, but the 17-year-old side-footed his effort wide of the post. Arsenal's best chance early on fell to forward Rhys Murphy who curled over Rhys Taylor's crossbar as both sides struggled to fashion too much on a dreary afternoon in Hertfordshire. Kaby and Arsenal midfielder Craig Eastmond were involved in a confrontation, an exchange followed by a booking for the Chelsea man after a heavy challenge on Nicholas Yennaris. Taylor had to save from Murphy on the half-hour with the Irish forward through one-on-one, the goalkeeper quick off his line before saving with his legs. It seemed a goal would come as a result of an error rather than a moment of magic, and it almost came when Ince surrendered possession with a clumsy square pass, straight to Murphy, but the forward's low curler was well held by Taylor in the Chelsea goal. Then came that moment of magic. A Chelsea corner was never properly dealt with by the Arsenal defence, and after goalkeeper Damian Martinez punched into the ground, Chalobah found space to bring the ball down and back-heel it into the bottom corner from eight yards. On the balance of play it was hard to argue either side deserved the advantage, but now we had it Chelsea would have to work hard to maintain it. Second Half Arsenal came out strong in the second period but it was just another five minutes before Lukaku doubled the visitors' lead, sweeping home from close range after Lalkovic had burst into the right-hand side of the box and squared for the Belgian. It was the perfect way to settle any Chelsea nerves against our north London rivas, who should have come back into the game when Murphy sprung an offside trap, expecting to be flagged, and nonchalantly curled the ball around Taylor, the ball bouncing back into play off the post. At the other end Lalkovic used his pace to find room to cross, and he almost supplied Lukaku with a second, crossing into the corridor between defence and goalkeeper, but just beyond the stretch of his 6ft 4ins forward. Both Taylor and Martinez made further saves before Piazon put substitute Islam Feruz through on goal, but the youngster was bundled to the ground by an Arsenal defender, making an opening for Chalobah from the resultant free-kick. Right on the edge of the area, the midfielder executed the shot perfectly, making it bend and dip in equal measure to drop into the top corner of the Arsenal net, putting his side three goals to the good. A weaving Lukaku runthat took him past three defenders and the goalkeeper almost brought a fourth but the angle was just too tight for the striker, and then he headed straight at Martinex after Lalkovic had chipped into the area from the right. A tough-looking test had turned into a one-sided encounter, and Drummy will be thrilled with his side's performance, particularly Chalobah who was replaced by Nathan Ake 10 minutes from time. The scoring still wasn't done though, and Piazno would make it four with three minutes to go, twisting and turning inside the area with defenders flying all around him, poking the ball beyond the keeper to put the gloss on a very impressive display. Arsenal: Martinez, Hajrovic (sub Ebecilio 61), Boateng, Monteiro, Angha, Eastmond, Ozyakup, Yennaris, Meade, Ansah (sub Rees 61), Murphy. Unused subs Shea, Brislen-Hall, Wynter. Chelsea (4-3-3) Rhys Taylor; Todd Kane, Rohan Ince (sub Carl Magnay 76), George Saville, Ben Gordon; Jacob Mellis (sub Islam Feruz 53), Nathaniel Chalobah © (sub Nathan Ake 80), Aliu 'Kaby' Djalo; Milan Lalkovic, Romelu Lukaku, Lucas Piazon. Unused subs Jamal Blackman, Adam Nditi, Philipp Prosenik. Goals Chalobah 38, 73, Lukaku 49, Piazon 87
December 19, 201113 yr I hate doing this, but Piazon really does play a lot like Kaka doesnt he. Ya he does. He has been in really good form too for the reserves. Scoring three games in a row. Nice to see Lukaku score too Chalobah has also been really good. Hopefully these youngsters get a chance to play in the future.
