Mubama hat-trick helps five-star EDS overpower Chelsea | OneFootball

Divin Mubama grabbed a hat-trick – and saw three efforts disallowed – as City’s Elite Development Squad saw off Chelsea 5-0 at the Joie Stadium to further stretch our lead at the top of the table.

The centre forward claimed a penalty on 90 seconds and then followed up with two more goals in the second half as Ben Wilkinson’s side served up a fine display.

Matty Henderson-Hall also found the target in the second half with Mubama seeing three other strikes disallowed for offside with Charlie Gray also hitting the post.

A late strike from substitute Ryan McAidoo then put the seal on a wonderful night's work from the City Under-21s.

The victory maintained City’s fine form and saw our Under-21s open up a five point gap on second-placed Fulham.

What happened

Against the backdrop of perfect conditions at the Joie Stadium, the clash between leaders City and fourth-placed Chelsea promises to be one to savour.

And within 90 seconds our Under-21s got off to a flying start after Emilio Lawrence was brought down in the box by Brodie Hughes.

Referee Dale Baines had no hesitation pointing to the spot and Divin Mubama stepped up to take the penalty, successfully converting to fire Wilkinson’s side ahead.

In the wake of that early shot in the arm for City, both sides demonstrated great talent and technique but with chances proving at a premium.

However, the visitors did threaten a reply on 24 minutes when Brodi Hughes sent a far post effort inches wide after he latched onto a pinpoint Ato Ampah corner.

City almost immediately followed suit in similar fashion, Max Alleyne seeing a looping headed effort drift over the bar from Seb Naylor’s teasing ball.

Mubama then drove in a ferocious 20-yard drive on 32 minutes that forced Chelsea keeper Ted Curd to dive low and keep the attempt out.

City came again and 60 seconds later another fine flowing left wing move ended with Charlie Gray driving on the overlap and curling a shot that hit the inside of the post and rebounded into a grateful Curd’s grasp.

The Blues spurned another glorious opening on 41 minutes after fine work from Lawrence and Naylor down the left flank breached the Chelsea back line once more.

Naylor’s inviting cross found the onrushing Henderson-Hall bearing down on goal but the winger’s effort agonisingly missed the target.

However Henderson-Hall more than made up for that miss by doubling City's lead within a minute of the restart.

Oboavwoduo picked out the winger in space on the right side of the area with a delightful chip.

And after a neat first touch, Henderson-Hall drilled home a superb finish.

On 53 minutes City further extended our lead with that man Mubama on target once more to notch up his sixth PL2 goal of the season.

Gray was the architect, weaving in an inch perfect cross that found Henderson-Hall. Though his header was stopped by Curd, Mubama - like the best strikers - was there waiting for the rebound to claim his second and City's third.

The visitors sought to summon up a response and Brits did brilliantly on the hour to dive low to his right and keep out a stinging shot by Donnell McNeilly.

City - and Mubama - weren't to be denied however and the striker struck again on 65 minutes to bring up his hat-trick.

Lawrence was the provider once more, dinking in a delightful cross and Mubama needed no second invitation to head home for his treble.

Remarkably Mubama then had the ball in the net twice more within three minutes only to be adjudged offside.

There were so many positives for Wilkinson's side and a superb night's work was rounded off five minutes from time when substitute Ryan McAidoo raced through behind the Chelsea back line before executing a wonderful dinked finish.

How we lined up

Spike Brits was in goal and shielded by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Max Alleyne, skipper Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Seb Naylor.

Charlie Gray was the holding midfielder with Jaden Heskey and Justin Oboavwodou also in the engine room.

Divin Mubama was City's central attacking focal point with Matty Henderson-Hall and Emilio Lawrence providing the width.

CITY XI: Brits, Samuel (McFarlane 79), Alleyne, Simpson-Pusey, Naylor (Okeke 79), Gray, Heskey, Oboavwodou (Okeke 79), Henderson-Hall (McAidoo 70), Mubama, Lawrence

Subs:  Whatmuff

CHELSEA: Curd, Hughes, Murray-Campbell, Emenalo, Samuels-Smith, McMahon, Ampah, Harrison, McNeilly (Antwi 70), Dyer, Stutter

Subs: Wilson, Campbell, Cardoso, Ezenwata

What it means

City remain top of the Premier League table.

Wilkinson’s side have 43 points from 17 games.Fulham lie in second place with 38 points from 16 games and they are next in action on Monday when they entertain Nottingham Forest.

City’s next PL2 game is at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday March 16, kick-off 14.00pm.

What’s next

The City youngsters are next in action on Wednesday when the focus switches to the UEFA Youth League.

We travel to Germany to tackle Hoffenheim in a Round of 16 knockout clash. Kick-off is slated for 13:00 (UK).