The Blues were bristled and frustrated in the opening half hour but soon clicked into gear and broke the deadlock from the penalty spot as Anjorin converted having himself been brought down in the box. Ballo made it 2-0 within minutes of the opener, beating the goalkeeper to a long pass over the top and rolling the ball into an unguarded goal.

The second period saw less action, particularly after substitute Nunn had opened his Chelsea account with our third goal, a precise side-foot finish swept into the top corner. Jon Russell could have added a fourth, his header thumping back off the crossbar, before Southampton scored a late consolation from a corner.

It left a slight stain on the opening morning of the campaign, though three points at a traditionally tricky venue for our youngsters represents a positive start.

Myers selected a team mixed with first-year and second-year scholars for his first official game as manager of the Chelsea Under-18s, handing debuts to new signings Ian Maatsen and Ballo. It was 4-2-3-1 from the start for the visitors, who opted for Armando Broja to lead the attacking line supported by Ballo, Marcel Lewis and Anjorin, the latter having scored our seventh goal in April’s FA Youth Cup final victory over Arsenal.

There was experience in central midfield in the form of Clinton Mola and Jon Russell, while James Clark, Marcel Lavinier, Jack Wakely and Maatsen lined up across defence in front of goalkeeper Karlo Ziger.