Chelsea striker Ezenwata reminds Flying Eagles of his quality with superb free-kick goal

Chizaram Ezenwata delivered a timely reminder of his talent with a moment of brilliance on Saturday, scoring a superb free-kick to inspire Chelsea to a 4-2 road win over Crystal Palace in an U18 Premier League fixture. 

Ezenwata has been named in Flying Eagles' training camp squad ahead of the 2025 Fifa U20 World Cup in Chile, but Chelsea have prevented him from linking up with the national team due to club commitments.

Although he was left disappointed after missing the trip to Nigeria's capital, Abuja, the young striker quickly put that setback behind him, producing a standout display in Chelsea's first game of the new U18 Premier League campaign.

Kobe Barbour struck for the visitors inside the opening six minutes, but goals from Ben Casey and Charlie Walker-Smith turned the tide, putting the Eagles ahead as they went into the interval.

Chizzy, who had endured a quiet outing with little service for much of the match, turned the contest around in the 66th minute as he provided Chelsea with a vital equaliser.

Winning a free-kick from distance, the first year scholar stepped up and struck a precise 20-yard effort that arrowed into the bottom-right corner, leaving the Palace goalkeeper with no chance.

Just three minutes later, Mathis Eboué, son of Arsenal legend Emmanuel Eboué, edged Chelsea in front with a close-range finish, before Charlie Walker-Smith turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Ezenwata in stoppage time.

Last season, Ezenwata was Chelsea's top scorer in the U18 Premier League with 11 goals in eighteen matches.

The 16-year-old, who is also eligible for England and Cameroon, is expected to sign his first professional contract in the first week of September.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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