Chelsea U18 were thumped 3-0 at home by Southampton yesterday.

Saints are regarded as favourites for the U18 title this season.

Their early dominance and control ultimately lead to the opener as Luke Pearce with a deft touch controlled a floated ball into his path and he finished calmly under the onrushing Chelsea goalkeeper Prince Adegoke.

The young Blues' backs were against the ropes and the away side's lead was doubled moments later from the penalty spot. Tudor Mendel-Idowu was adjudged to have fouled Ryan Finnigan in the penalty box and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Dom Ballard took the penalty and finished well.

The game was sealed 15 minutes before the final whistle as it was that man Pearce again who battled hard to win the ball in midfield, drive towards goal and then poke beyond Adegoke.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Prince Adegoke; Harrison Murray-Campbell, Josh Tobin, Luke Badley-Morgan, Alex Kpakpe (c) (Ato Ampah 47); Billy Gee, Zain Silcott-Duberry; Edwin Andersson, Tudor Mendel-Idowu, Malik Mothersille (Chinonso Chibueze 90+1); Louis Flower (Donnell McNeilly 73).

Unused subs: Sami Tlemcani, Kaiden Wilson.
Booked: Luke Badley-Morgan 37; Billy Gee 45+4; Josh Tobin 45+4.

Southampton (4-2-2-2): Eddie Beach; Sonnie Davis, Jem Hewlett, Ryan Finnigan (Kaya Tshaka 46), Matty Carson; Cam Bragg, Lewis Payne; Diamond Edwards (Fedel Ross-Lang 73), Kami Doyle; Dom Ballard (Rylee Wright 31), Luke Pearce. Unused subs:Josh Jeffries, Ryan Chavez-Munoz.
Scorers: Luke Pearce 16, 72; Dom Ballard 19 (p).