After going behind in the early stages, a Tai Sodje brace along with a penalty from James McAtee and late strike from Sam Edozie secured the points at the Academy Stadium, seeing us go top of the PL2 table on goal difference in the process.
And manager Barry-Murphy was delighted with how his players responded to that early setback.
He said: “We spoke a lot before the game about how together the players have been and how much spirit they have shown.
“This season we have always gone in front in games and controlled games. So to see that goal go against us was a great test for us and the lads bounced back very well.
“I thought there were parts of our game where we can do better but that is always the case.
“Chelsea are a very strong team and a good test and they always provided a threat on the counter. We managed that quite well and we look pretty potent going forward.”
Barry-Murphy was able to call on both Edozie and Cole Palmer for our clash with the Londoners, with the latter providing assists for both of Sodje’s strikes.
The duo have both gained vital experience training with City’s senior squad across the season so far, and the EDS boss explained how that has benefitted the rest of the group during our unbeaten start to the new PL2 campaign.
“The opportunities they get to train at that level, you can see the influence it has on themselves but also on the rest of the group,” he explained.
“From my point of view, it has been significant that the ones who trained with us on the international break and during the week when those players were with the first team, have been really focused and concentrating on what they are doing.
“So when they come back on a game day, in terms of their organisation you would say it may be a challenge but it’s not, it works really well.
“Towards the end of last season, a lot for our lads were pretty fatigued but to see them attack right until the end is testament to the way they want to play the game.
“My job is to push as hard as I can and my feeling is that I can push really hard in the next phase of the season.”
