Anglo-Nigerian's brace not enough as Chelsea U18s lose 5-goal thriller to Brighton & Hove

Tudor Mendel-Idowu will be disappointed his goals counted for nothing as Chelsea were beaten 3-2 by Brighton & Hove in an U18 Premier League match at Cobham Training Ground on Saturday afternoon. 

In what was Hassan Sulaiman's first game in charge since the confirmation of his appointment as Chelsea U18s coach, the Nigerian football tactician selected four Flying Eagles-eligible players in his starting lineup, with Chinonso Chibueze, Tudor Mendel-Idowu, Louis Flower and Tyrique George starting from the off. 

Mendel-Idowu gave Chelsea a dream start, beating the goalkeeper to open the scoring inside the opening minute, but the Seagulls responded through Josh Duffus after seven minutes. 

Mendel-Idowu restored Chelsea's one-goal lead in the 19th minute as Chelsea went into the interval 2-1 up.

The home team eased off in the second half, allowing Remeiro Moulton to tie things up in the 50th minute before he grabbed what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute. 

Mendel-Idowu has totaled seven goals in all competitions for Chelsea's youth teams so far this season, including four in the U18 Premier League. 

The defeat to the Seagulls leaves Chelsea in fifth place in the U18 Premier League South with 23 points from fifteen games.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com

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