U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 2-0 CHELSEA

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Young Clarets book place in Premier League Cup semi-finals!

2025-04-07T20:56:05.779Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 2-0 CHELSEA

Young Clarets book place in Premier League Cup semi-finals!

2025-04-07T20:56:05.779Z

Young Clarets book place in Premier League Cup semi-finals!

Goals from Julien Vetro and Tom Tweedy earned Burnley U21s a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the quarter finals of the Premier League Cup on Monday night!

There were four changes to the side that started Friday afternoon’s Professional Development League match against Brentford at Turf Moor, with two coming to the defence.

Hamzat Balogun and Murray Campbell stepped in at right-back and centre-back respectively, while further forwards Charlie Veevers played centre midfield and Tweedy started on the left.

The young Clarets started well at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium in Chorley and Tweedy had the first effort of note, but his volley was blocked behind.

Kamarni Ryan’s physical presence up top started to cause Chelsea problems and after he pulled a shot narrowly wide of the right-hand post, he had another blocked.

It was 1-0 in the 23rd minute when, after the referee played advantage for a foul on Tommy McDermott, Vetro took the ball into his stride and struck powerfully into the bottom left corner.

U21S PREVIEW: QUEENS PARK RANGERS V BURNLEY - Image 1

The winger should perhaps have doubled the advantage soon afterwards but hooked the ball narrowly over from six yards after a moment of hesitation from the Chelsea defence.

The young Clarets were more than holding their own defensively, with full-backs Oli Pimlott and Balogun bombing forward at every opportunity too.

With that the game developed an edge towards the end of the first half, with Vetro, Charlie Veevers and Chelsea’s Ishe Samuels-Smith all being cautioned in quick succession.

It was almost 2-0 in stoppage-time but after showing great strength to shrug off his defender, Ryan shot straight at Chelsea ‘keeper Luke Campbell.

Chelsea came out of the blocks quickly but were unable to work Jon Ander Vilar Robinson in the Clarets goal before Tweedy doubled our lead on the hour.

After Ryan hit the post, Vetro reacted quickest to the loose ball and squared for Tweedy to convert from close range.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 2-0 CHELSEA - Image 2

The game became more stretched as the Londoners looked for a way back into the tie, with both teams producing lung-busting runs and last-ditch tackles.

Vetro, who looked threatening throughout, then crossed for Ryan, whose deflected shot forced a fine save onto the bar and away from Campbell.

Manager Andy Farrell made a triple change in the 79th minute, replacing Pimlott, Ryan and Tweedy with Alex Healy-Byrne, Benji Wetshi and Basilio Socoliche.

Centre-back Campbell came agonisingly close to adding a third from 22 yards before our fourth change saw Veevers make way for Brandon Ly.

Second-year scholar Noah Adekoya replaced Campbell as the second-half entered stoppage-time, and the remaining minutes passed without incident to cap a successful night.

The semi-final will be against Queens Park Rangers later this month, with an exact date and time to be confirmed.

Next up is a lengthy trip to play Colchester United in the Professional Development League on Friday 11th April, with kick-off at 7pm.

Burnley: Vilar Robinson, Balogun, Pimlott (Healy-Byrne 79), Ashton, Campbell (Adekoya 90+1), Bauress, Vetro, Veevers (Ly 84), Ryan (Wetshi 79), McDermott, Tweedy (Socoliche 79)

Chelsea: Campbell, Hughes, Wilson, Emenalo, Samuels-Smith (Kavuma-McQueen 65), McMahon, Antwi, Dyer (Runham 75), Ezenwata, McNeilly, Stutter (Walsh 85)

Unused Substitutes: Sands, Austin

Goals: Vetro 23’, Tweedy 61’