Lukas Nmecha and Brahim Diaz grabbed a brace each as Jason Wilcox’s side came out on top in the battle of North versus South champions.
The young Blues fell behind early on when Dujon Sterling cut inside the area and fired past the dive of Daniel Grimshaw to give the away side the lead.
However, it wasn’t long until City drew level. Aaron Nemane showed Ali Suljic a clean pair of heels before pulling back for Nmecha, who slotted home from close range to level the score.
With both sides looking to get a foot hold on the game, chances were few and far between as the first half progressed.
Chelsea started to push further forward midway through the first 45 and managed to get themselves back in the lead in the 27th minute.
Miro Muheim burst down the left wing and cut the ball back for Chelsea’s top goalscorer Ike Ugbo, who applied the finish from a few yards out.
That lead was soon two goals when Ruben Sammut notched Chelsea’s third five minutes before half time after latching on to Ugbo’s flick at the near post.
Wilcox made two changes at the break as 15-year old Jadon Sancho and 16-year old Tom Dele-Bashiru came on to replace Will Patching and Marcus Wood.
The change allowed Brahim to play a more central role and it paid off with the Spanish youngster reducing the deficit six minutes after the restart.
The 16-year old left three defenders for dead on the edge of the area before slotting past the dive of Nathan Baxter to make it 2-3.
Chelsea had to withstand waves of attack following Brahim’s goal and one of them nearly resulted in an equaliser. Demeaco Duhaney fired in a low that with Nmecha inches away from converting before Erik Sarmiento’s shot flew narrowly past the post.
It didn’t take long for that pressure to pay off though as City drew level in the 72nd minute. Brahim was felled in the area and Nmecha stepped up from 12 yards to send Baxter the wrong way to complete the comeback.
The equaliser proved to be a catalyst for more waves of attack to be thrown at the away side. The biggest chance came five minutes after City’s third as Nmecha was denied in a one-on-one situation with Baxter, Sancho saw his low shot blocked and then Brahim fired into the side netting.
The Spanish magician wasn’t to be denied again though with him notching the winner seven minutes from time. Nemane whipped in a low cross and Brahim was there to grab his second of the game to give City the lead for the first time.
Chelsea had one final chance before the full time whistle sounded as Ugbo went through one-on-one with Grimshaw, but the 18-year old stood tall to deny him and ensure the three points remained with City.
The young Blues are next in action on Saturday 12 March as they visit Reading, 11am kick off, in the Barclays U18 Premier League Play Off round.
