Chelsea Under-18s close to title after another win

Chelsea’s outstanding Under-18 side thrashed Southampton 4-0 to move a step closer to retaining the league title.

Striker Martell Taylor-Crossdale (pictured) scored his 20th of the season and there were also goals for Tariq Uwakwe, Faustino Anjorin and Marc Guehi in a one-sided game at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, where the Blues’ Under-18 have not lost for three years.

They have now won 13 matches in a row in all competitions and have conceded just one goal in their last nine games.

Uwakwe opened the scoring before the interval with a near-post finish after being found by Jonathan Panzo’s cross and Chelsea scored three more in the second half.

Billy Gilmour hit the bar shortly before Crossdale netted from close range and the lead was doubled when the ball ricocheted into the net off Anjorin after Uwakwe’s shot had hit the post.

Centre-back Guehi completed a resounding Chelsea win by heading home Gilmour’s corner.

A draw against West Ham next weekend would confirm Jody Morris’ team as champions.