James Comley bagged a brace for Crystal Palace’s U18’s as they returned from Chelsea’s Cobham training ground with three points and a three nil victory on Saturday.
Before kick off the home side sat a one point above Palace having played a game more in the Academy League and it was the Blues who came out of the traps quickest, having an early goal disallowed for offside.
With Chelsea youngster’s in the ascendency, the Eagles hit back and against the run of play, Comley’s deflected shot put Palace ahead.
Desperate for an equaliser Chelsea continued to exert pressure on the Palace goal but Charlie Mann showed safe hands from a Marko Mitrovic effort before Billy Clifford shot onto the post.
The Eagles then cemented their hold on the game 15 minutes before the interval when Jack Holland headed home from a Joe Goldsmith corner.
With half time approaching some of the good work was nearly undone when Mitrovic won a penalty for the home side. But the young striker saw his spot kick well saved by Mann to ensure the Eagles went in to the interval with a two goal cushion.
Palace killed off the match moments after half time when, Comley netted his second of the game with an emphatic finish from the edge of the box, that gave Chelsea keeper Aldi Haxhia no chance.
The Eagles are now five games unbeaten and will face Fulham next in another London derby.
