Chelsea beat Arsenal in a Thrilling NextGen Series semi-final

            




                                                       

  

                                                      Arsenal 3 Chelsea 4 (AET)

                                                 Sinigaglia in Italy

Dream runs Of Chelsea Youth Continues in Next Gen Series as they beat their Arch rivals in Sinigaglia in Italy. Lewis Baker’s extra time winner advanced a thrilling NextGen London derby as Chelsea did just enough to keep Arsenal’s determined comeback at bay.

This London derby semifinal was a cracking and a thriller. Chelsea edge Passed Arsenal in thriller to reach NextGen final against Aston Villa. The Gunners made the good start and took a deserved lead in sixteen minutes through Chuba Akpom  who tapped in from 6-yards after excellent work from Hector Bellerin down the right side. Arsenal was far more collected on the ball with the Blues looking a diminutive cautious and worried in defence.

Strikes from Islam Feruz, Baker and Boga in the first quarter  of the second-half twisted this game on its head after Chuba Akpom’s early goal had given Arsenal the lead.

Gunners showed formidable strength to took the game in extra time. Baker’s interference settled the game and saw the Blues through in Final.

started the game remarkably, controlling the opening exchanges, and their high-energy pressing game caused the Blues all sorts of problems.

One of Chelsea’s brightest hopes for the future, Boga, soon showed his quality with a sparkling shot that flew just past Iliev’s left-hand post, but still the Gunners remained in charge. Their willingness to work for each other and their total pledge to each tackle deserved recompense, and in the 16th minute it arrived.

Gnabry, a invariable spike in the side of Chelsea, floated out to the right flank and collected the ball before drawing the defender, and setting the overlapping Bellerin free with a fine pass. The Spaniard has been a major attacking outlet from the back throughout this competition, and he kept his composure and took a touch before sending a delightful ball across the six-yard for Akpom to convert.

 Isaac Hayden and Sead Hajrovic have formed a classy partnership at the back and they held firm. In fact, the closest the Blues got to restoring similarity was when Baker curled a superb free kick inches wide from 25 yards.

However, the Blues made the stronger start to the second period and finally they were established a way back into the match in the 52nd minute when Gnabry was judged to have felled Ruben Loftus Cheek in the area. Baker’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Iliev but Feruz fired in the rebound.

It was uneven luck on the Gunners, but their answer was good as Kyle Ebecilio and Kris Olsson both went close.

However, just after the hour mark Baker’s speculative 30-yard effort somehow squirmed under Iliev to give Chelsea the lead. It was harsh on Arsenal who had been the better side, and not as good as was to follow three minutes later when Boga scored after a mazy run by Kiwomya.

Things may have looked bleak for the Gunners, but an own goal by Chelsea right back Christensen in the 87th minute set up a impress finish. With seconds left Bellerin found Gnabry, who curled in a sensational late leveller to send the game to extra time.

The drama kept on coming and within seconds of the restart, Kiwomya was sent clean through on goal but dragged his shot wide of the far post. With both sides looking tired after intense ninety-minutes, they found it difficult to create any clear-cut chances. It took a piece of magic from Chelsea's John Swift to beat his man and slide in Baker for a tap in to take Chelsea into Monday's final. It was a real let-off for the Gunners, and with tired legs having an effect there were few chances to speak of before Baker won it in the 116th minute.

It was a disappointing end to a exhilarating run to the semi-finals, but there remains much to be positive about.

Aston Villa will take on Chelsea in Monday's all-English final after beating Sporting Lisbon 3-1.

Match Facts:

Arsenal: Iliev, Bellerin, Hayden, Hajrovic, Angha (Ormonde-Ottewill, 67), Olsson, Ebecilio (Maitland-Niles 105), Yennaris, Eisfeld (Ansah 67), Gnabry, Akpom

Goals: Akpom (2), Gnabry

Chelsea: Beeney; Christensen, Davey, Pappoe, Wright; Loftus-Cheek (T Musonda 70), Boga (Swift 75), Baker; Kiwomya, Feruz, Nditi (Hunte 40)

Goals: Feruz, Baker (2), Boga