Lewis Baker Excels as Chelsea Thrash Juventus in NextGen Quarter-Final
Chelsea booked their place in the NextGen Series semi-finals thanks to an impressive 4-1 victory over Juventus at Brentford's Griffin Park.
Having already dispatched Barcelona in the previous round, Chelsea were looking to make a statement as they attempted to become the first team to book their place in the final four.
Chelsea, who won the FA Youth Cup last season, showed why they are one of the favourites to win the tournament as captain Lewis Baker put in an assured performance in midfield that was capped off with two excellent goals.
It did not take long for Chelsea to take command of the game as Baker struck a fierce effort from 25 yards into the top corner after just 11 minutes.
The Blues played with a very high tempo in the opening exchanges and were 2-0 up after fourteen minutes when Alex Kiwomya, a striker with exceptional pace, slotted past Constantin Branescu after being played in by Jeremie Boga.
The Italians were being outmuscled all over the pitch and were lucky to go into the break trailing by just two as Chelsea took total command of the game.
However, after the break, Juventus looked a different prospect and began to play with a lot more confidence. The side from Turin were unbeaten in the tournament going into the game and looked to have a way back into the tie when Daniele Rugani flicked on an excellent free-kick from Stefano Beltrame past Jamal Blackman to make it 2-1 on seventy-two minutes.
After a nervy period the tie was well and truly put to bed when former Celtic forward Islam Feruz restored the two goal cushion. A second from Baker just minutes later secured the victory as Chelsea booked their place in the semi-finals which will be played in Lake Como over the Easter weekend.
It was a superb performance from Baker who has been at the club since playing for the Under-10's and will be hoping that he can push for a place in the first team squad having signed a first professional contract in the summer of 2012.
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