Photo: Chelsea FC

Chelsea youth team have advanced to the Under-18 Premier League Cup semi-finals, after they defeated Sunderland today, and it wasn’t an easy game as the young Blues progressed after extra time.

The game had tension and drama with three spot-kicks and intense play until the final whistle at Sunderland’s Academy of Light.

A pair of second-half penalties, scored by Conor Gallagher and Sam Greenwood, ensured parity at the end of 90 minutes before Juan Castillo’s strike settled the tie in extra-time.

The game was close to entering penalty shootout when the Black Cats were awarded the third penalty of the game three minutes over the two-hour mark, though Karlo Ziger went from being booked for the foul to making the crucial save as he denied Greenwood and helped us into the last four in the inaugural youth team cup competition.

The first half ended goalless, and Conor Gallagher gave Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot six minutes after the hour mark. However, Sunderland striker Sam Greenwood equalised for the Black Cats just three minutes later, scoring from the spot kick as well.

Juan Castillo scored the winner in the 104th minute as the game was deep in extra time, after some good work from McEachran to steal possession from Harrison Devine, and the vision of Gallagher to shift the ball left to Castillo who sent the ball home.

Blues goalkeeper Karlo Ziger pulled off some wonderful saves late in the game to preserve Chelsea’s lead and ensure our youngsters progress to join Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal in the last four.