Chelsea youngsters begin title defence by beating Reading

Juan Castillo scored as Chelsea opened the defence of their Under-18 Premier League title with a 1-0 win at home to Reading.

Castillo found the top corner of the net with a fine strike just seven minutes into the match at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.

Striker Martell Taylor-Crossdale twice almost doubled the lead before half-time and George McEachran also went close as the young Blues dominated.

They continued to press in the second half and both Castillo and Charlie Brown were denied by Reading keeper Gabriel Rosario.