Four Nigeria-eligible strikers on target as Chelsea & Crystal Palace U18s play out 2-2 draw

Published: April 30, 2022

In their final home game of the season, Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace in an U18 Premier League fixture staged at Cobham Training Centre on Saturday afternoon.

There were starts for Chelsea's attack-minded duo Louis Flower and Tudor Mendel-Idowu, as well as Eagles strikers Victor Akinwale and Ademola Ola-Adebomi, and goalkeeper Owen Goodman.

Akinwale and Ola-Adebomi have been in brilliant form this season with the pair setting a new personal record for goals in a single season.

Akinwale is sitting on the top of the goalscoring charts in the U18 Premier League South with 22 goals and his strike partner Ola-Adebomi has bagged thirteen goals.

On the half hour mark, Mendel-Idowu headed home the opener but the visitors did not have to wait too long before grabbing an equaliser as Akinwale slotted home a cross from Cadogan.

Flower put Chelsea back in front a minute to the end of the half but Crystal Palace were able to respond almost immediately as Ola-Adebomi headed in a corner in first half stoppage time.

Young professional Ola-Adebomi could have won it for Crystal Palace in the second half but hit the post.

Derrick Abu, Somto Boniface, Richard Olise and Chinonso Chibueze were omitted from Chelsea's matchday squad for the London derby, while 2019 Golden Eaglets invitee Prince Adegoke watched proceedings from the bench.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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