Kiwomya’s late cracker gives Chelsea FA Youth Cup triumph

Alex Kiwomya’s brilliant late strike gave Chelsea a 2-1 victory at Derby, taking them into the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.

Kiwomya, son of former Ipswich and Arsenal forward and now Notts County manager Chris, smashed in a glorious winner after cutting in from the left in the final 10 minutes of a thrilling – and feisty – game at Pride Park.

Chelsea’s youngsters bossed the opening period, playing with confidence from the back and picking holes in the home defence with ease.

The Blues took full advantage of Derby’s eagerness to press high up the pitch and could easily have been three or four goals ahead by the break.

The pace and trickery of Chelsea’s front line, in particular the lively Kiwomya, regularly carved open the Rams rearguard.

Lewis Baker missed a great chance after a fine move and another attack almost led to a goal for Kiwomya, who also saw an effort go just wide.

But Baker’s low penalty, which crept under keeper Ross Etheridge after the goalkeeper had taken out Rhys Mitchell, was all the visitors had to show for their dominance.

Mason Bennett hit the post with Derby’s first noteworthy chance, in first-half stoppage time.

However, the hosts improved markedly after half-time.

The excellent Bennett played a major part in levelling when his left-wing cross took a huge deflection off the unfortunate Alex Davey and looped in at the far post.

Chelsea, who had been disrupted by injuries, settled after a nervy 10-minute spell.

Kiwomya was denied by the on-rushing Etheridge and the striker then failed to connect when through one-on-one.

But it was Kiwomya who restored Chelsea’s advantage on 82 minutes with a breathtaking 20-yard shot that fizzed into the bottom corner.

The Rams pressed late on and could have forced extra time when they hit the woodwork for the third time, but Chelsea held on and will play Liverpool or Hull in the semi-finals.

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