It was a significant result for Chelsea Under 18s this weekend as the team kept a winning run going and shut the opposition out for the first time this season.
Hard work on the training pitch paid off with a performance that didn't deny Portsmouth chances altogether but was tighter than in recent weeks when it has taken high scoring at the other end to collect points.
All the goal action in this latest outing at Cobham came in the second half. There was impressive use of the ball by the young Blues in a good quality opening half, but it took an excellent clearance off the line by centre-back Vincenzo Camilleri just before the break to send the sides in level at the interval.
Chelsea started the second half very brightly and Conor Clifford (pictured above, courtesy Mark Sandom) broke the deadlock on 49 minutes with a superb strike - curling the ball from outside the box into the top right-hand corner.
On 64 minutes, Nikki Ahamed (pictured below) doubled the lead following a run down the right. With the outside of his right foot, he bent the ball into the opposite top corner to Clifford's goal.
There then followed a spell when Chelsea lost a grip on the game and Portsmouth had chances.
However on 85 minutes and on the break, Frank Nouble cut inside from the left and from 22 yards, shot off his right foot. The direction was central but it was a good enough strike to still beat the keeper for his sixth goal in four games.
Youth team manager Paul Clement reports:
'All three goals were from outside the box and were top finishes but even more pleasing than the goals was that for the first time this season, we have kept a clean sheet.
'It has taken 11 games to get there, too long, but we are pleased that it has arrived at last.
'We made six changes from the side that beat Fulham on Wednesday and it was a good game in the first half although there were few chances. It was competitive and played at a good tempo.
'At half time we were feeling positive about getting something out the game and I was delighted with the second half, even if we did chance our arm a little in a spell between the second and third goals. Portsmouth will be disappointed not to have got at least one goal during that period.
'Frank Nouble (pictured below) has had a good fortnight and four goals in the last week. With Fabio Borini having moved up to the reserves, it is good to see that Frank has taken over the reins when it comes to goal scoring.
'It has been a pleasing response from the players after a frustrating time. We were inconsistent at the start of the season but we are hitting a bit of form now.
'Having been bottom of the table, three wins in a row mean that with other results going our way, we could find ourselves quite high up after this weekend.
'We are off to New York on Monday to play four games in a tournament and hopefully it will be an enjoyable experience both on and off the field.'
Chelsea Jan Sebek, Tom Hayden, Vincenzo Camilleri, Billy-Joe King, Jordan Tabor (Ben Gordon); Conor Clifford, Rohan Ince, Jacopo Sala (Josh McEachran); Nikki Ahamed, Frank Nouble, Aliu Djalo (Marko Mitrovic).
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