Chelsea Under-23 manager Adi Viveash has admitted that it was a case of “men versus boys” in the opening 60 minutes of his side’s 3-2 loss to Exeter City in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

The young Blues, who headed into the match on the back of a four-game winless run in all competitions, were a goal down after just 75 seconds, with Ollie Watkins heading home from cross range.




David Wheeler then doubled the League Two outfit’s lead in the 24th minute before Liam McAlinden made it 3-0 for the hosts five minutes after the break at St. James’ Park.

Ike Ugbo pulled one back for Chelsea in the 72nd minute, with the forward further reducing the arrears in injury-time.
 


But it was too little too late for the visitors as Exeter saw out the game and claimed the full three points.

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And Viveash, who acknowledged that his side failed to match up to Exeter’s level in the opening 60 minutes, insisted that it is always very difficult to get back into a game if a team concede so early on.

“The first 60 minutes wasn’t good enough”, he told Chelsea TV.

“It was a little bit of men versus boys at times. Then at 3-0, we showed quite a bit of spirit, two great finishes from Ike.

“I think the lessons we learnt is if we concede within 75 seconds against a league team, it’s a very disappointing start and you are out of the game before you’re in it.”

Viveash’s side will next face Derby County in a Premier League 2 fixture on Monday.