Ake the hero as Chelsea youngsters fight back against West Ham

Nathan Ake scored an injury-time equaliser for Chelsea in a thrilling 3-3 draw with West Ham in the Under-21 Premier League.

Trailing 2-0, the young Blues pulled a goal back through Lewis Baker and John Swift levelled before Blair Turgott’s 25-yarder appeared to have won the match for the visitors.

But skipper Ake had the final word, applying the finishing touch after Billy Clifford had hit the bar.

Goals from Pelly Ruddock and Matthias Fanimo meant Chelsea found themselves two down at the break despite having created a number of chances.

Baker, Alex Kiwomya, Swift and Islam Feruz all had opportunities to score for Dermot Drummy’s side, who eventually found the net early in the second half.

After Clifford’s effort came back off the post, Baker netted from the rebound to halve the deficit.

Substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek then missed a great chance to level, shooting wide after being found by Clifford.

Chelsea did get a second goal when Swift tapped home after keeper Raphael Spiegel had failed to hold Feruz’s shot, but Turgott restored the Hammers’ lead two minutes later.

Loftus-Cheek had two more chances in the closing stages but dragged a shot wide and was then denied by Spiegel.

However, Ake rescued a deserved point with seconds to spare.

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