Tomori heads Chelsea clear of Blackburn Rovers in semi-final

Defender Fikayo Tomori headed the game’s only goal as Chelsea edged ahead of Blackburn Rovers in the FA Youth Cup semi-final.

The Blues, chasing a third successive trophy, were on top throughout but only Tomori’s fourth goal since the turn of the year saw Andrew Fisher beaten, with Tammy Abraham later striking a post.

Chelsea captain Jake Clarke-Salter missed the game’s opening chance on nine minutes, heading Mukhtar Ali’s free-kick harmlessly off target.

Isaac Christie-Davies was next to try his luck, but defender Scott Wharton was on hand to block.

Midway through the first half Clarke-Salter met Ali’s corner with a powerful header that inched over the crossbar.

The visitors eventually made the breakthrough on 26 minutes when Christie-Davies floated a free-kick into the box and defender Tomori diverted his header beyond the clutches of keeper Fisher.

At the other end Lewis Hardcastle looked to set Remy Howarth through on goal, but keeper Nathan Baxter was quick off his line to avert any danger.

After the break it was Chelsea in the ascendancy again, this time Tammy Abraham tried his luck but saw his effort deflect behind off Blackburn captain Wharton.

Baxter in the Chelsea goal had had little to do, but looked beaten by a Matty Platt header from Joe Grayson’s corner, only to seal it sail over the crossbar.

The majority of the 1,007-strong crowd inside Ewood Park sensed an equaliser, but on the hour Chelsea came within a whisker of a second goal.

After Ali was tripped on the edge of the box Abraham saw his consequent free-kick hit the inside of the post.

Fisher blocked Ali’s low drive soon afterwards, but just as the home side looked to be hanging on they missed a golden opportunity to level.

Lewis Mansell set Joe Rankin-Costello through on goal, his shot was blocked but the loose ball fell to provider Mansell who fired the rebound into the side-netting.

Mansell quickly went close again with another blocked effort, this time it was substitute Tre Pemberton who was denied by Baxter.

With 12 minutes remaining substitutes Jacob Maddox and Ike Ugbo combined, with the latter denied by Fisher.

But Chelsea had done enough to ensure they will take a slender advantage back to west London as their hopes of lifting a third successive FA Youth Cup remain firmly intact.

Blackburn: Andrew Fisher, Ryan Nyambe, Matty Platt, Scott Wharton (Tyler Magloire 55), Josh Askew, Lewis Hardcastle, Joe Grayson (Tre Pemberton 67), Willem Tomlinson, Joe Rankin-Costello, Lewis Mansell, Remy Howarth

Subs not used: Lewis Travis, Ben Ascroft, Joel Steer

Chelsea: Nathan Baxter, Josh Grant, Fikayo Tomori, Jake Clarke-Salter, Trevoh Chalobah, Ruben Sammut, Dujon Sterling, Mukhtar Ali, Tammy Abraham (Ike Ugbo 62), Kyle Scott (Jacob Maddox 61), Isaac Christie-Davies (Mason Mount 84)

Subs not used: Jamie Cumming, Richard Nartey