Chelsea started their defence of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League title with a victory against 2013/14 play-off 10-man Manchester City, while Derby County marked their debut in the competition with a victory against Middlesbrough.
First Division
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City
A stoppage-time goal from Charly Musonda ensured that defending Barclays U21 Premier League champions Chelsea started the season with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Aldershot Town FC.
"It was a really tough game against a really strong, physical team. They caused us problems but the game was everything I expected it to be" Adi Viveash
Chelsea, who edged out City on penalties in the semi-final of the competition play-off last term, recovered from conceding inside three minutes when Pablo Maffeo turned home from close range.
Patrick Bamford, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lewis Baker all went close as the Blues searched for an equaliser, while Devante Cole provided the main threat for City. On 77 minutes, Chelsea levelled the scores when Maffeo sliced a dangerous cross Ola Aina cross into his own net. City defender Shay Facey was sent off for a second booking with 10 minutes remaining and the hosts made the most of their man advantage when substitute Musonda fired a low drive into the bottom corner. The win was Adi Viveash’s first competitive match in charge of Chelsea’s Under-21 side after replacing Dermot Drummy, who was appointed Chelsea's international head coach this summer."It was a really tough game against a really strong, physical team," Viveash told chelseafc.com. "They caused us problems but the game was everything I expected it to be.
“The early goal rocked us a bit and it looked for long periods like it was going to decide the game, like it does in many Premier League games, but in the second half we were outstanding."
