Chelsea Under-18s began our U18 Premier League Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, as goals from Andrew Pennie and Heze Grimwade secured the win at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground.
The Blues pressed with purpose from the opening stages and Pennie provided an early breakthrough with a powerful right-footed finish.
Wolves continued to threaten, but Chelsea defended well when called upon and goalkeeper Jake Murray produced an important second-half save.
Substitute Grimwade then doubled our advantage with 14 minutes remaining to complete the scoring.
Pennie provides early lead
Chelsea created the first opportunity after five minutes. Yunus Linton’s pressing presented Pennie with a chance in front of goal, but Alfie Arnold made the save.
The breakthrough followed shortly afterwards. Pennie charged into the penalty area before beating Arnold with a powerful right-footed effort from a tight angle.
Linton was among those to test the Wolves goalkeeper, directing a left-footed attempt towards the centre of the goal in the 38th minute, but Arnold kept it out.
The hosts threatened at the other end moments later. Emmanuel Ayinde applied the defensive pressure required to prevent the Wolves striker from going through one-on-one.
Pennie had the final opportunity of the half, sending a firm right-footed effort from outside the penalty area narrowly wide of the right post.
Grimwade seals the win
The Blues continued to threaten after the interval and Linton forced another save with a left-footed strike in the 58th minute.
Dan Hogan made three changes on the hour, introducing Trey Faromo-Adebayo, Grimwade and Bilal Shah in place of Linton, Pennie and Jack Anderson. Gabriel Sambou and Diego Chinyowa followed shortly afterwards.
Wolves then applied a quick spell of pressure and Murray was called into action in the 71st minute. Our goalkeeper produced an excellent save to deny a close-range effort and protect Chelsea’s advantage.
Grimwade saw a shot blocked after receiving a good pass into the box from Shah, but the substitute was not to be denied.
A minute later, Grimwade found space at a tight angle inside the penalty area and produced a composed right-footed finish to double the Blues’ lead.
What it means
The result gives Chelsea three points from our opening U18 Premier League Cup fixture of the 2026/27 season, to join Manchester United on maximum points in Group F.
What’s next?
Our Under-18s return to league action on Saturday 29 August, when we host Reading at Cobham Training Centre. The fixture kicks off at 11am and can be watched live with a CFC+ subscription.
The teams
Chelsea: 1. Jake Murray, 2. Riley Ebho (12. Diego Chinyowa 67), 3. Jacob Hall, 4. Emmanuel Ayinde, 5. Isago Silva, 6. Isaac Badu Da Silva, 7. Yunus Linton (18. Trey Faromo-Adebayo 60), 8. Jayden Malundama, 9. Andrew Pennie (17. Heze Grimwade 60), 10. Jack Anderson (16. Bilal Shah 60), 11. Kwamina Ampah (14. Gabriel Sambou 66)
Unused subs: 13. Isaac Collinson, 15. Sam Ekhosuehi
Scorers: Pennie 10, Grimwade 76
Booked: Sambou 90+2
Manager: Dan Hogan
Wolverhampton Wanderers: 1. Alfie Arnold, 2. Desmond Ekhosuehi (16. Jacob Dean-Ford 63), 3. Julian Garate, 4. Ashton Williams (17. Aaron Aneke h-t), 5. Elliott Saba (19. Abdul Seidu 82), 6. Connor Lyons, 7. Hayden Ford (14. Leon Huxley 77), 8. Isaiah Gonzales-Osbourne, 9. Max Hinks, 10. Martyn Mathai (18. Tejay Smith 65), 11. Dapo Anunlopo
Unused subs: 12. Saviour Nkume, 15. Ricky Jackson
Manager: Richard Walker
