Dominic Solanke fired a hat-trick as Chelsea U21s edged out Liverpool U21s in a thrilling 4-3 win at Aldershot Town on Thursday night - damaging the young Reds' title hopes but fuelling their own hopes of a treble. 

The in-form Blues' striker took his tally to 41 goals in all competitions this season as another strike from Alex Kiwomya saw the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League champions maintain their chances of winning the treble despite Michael Beale's men scoring three through Jerome Sinclair, Cameron Brannagan and Harry Wilson.

U21's boss Beale brought loanees Jordan Williams, Kevin Stewart and Lloyd Jones back into the squad as the Reds made four changes from the team that overcame Leicester City earlier this week, and confidence was high in the Liverpool camp going into a huge clash.

In fact, it was the visitors who struck first at the Electrical Services Stadium on Thursday night, temporarily lifting them above Manchester United to 1st in the U21's standings as Ryan Kent's left-sided corner was nodded in by Sinclair for his 23rd of the campaign.

It took the home side just four minutes to respond, Solanke rounded Ryan Fulton and slotting in after racing onto a through ball. Just 12 minutes later, the 17-year-old virtually repeated the feat, firing into an empty net after beating the Liverpool goalkeeper.

The goal took Solanke up to 40 for the season, a figure that no doubt will have caught the eye of Jose Mourinho - who the senior Liverpool squad go head-to-head with this Sunday.

But the Reds youngsters continued to trouble Chelsea, as Sinclair was denied a brace himself by goalkeeper Bradley Collins who saved well.

Inspired by the save, Adi Viveash's side extended their lead before the break - as Kiwomya's effort ricocheted in off the underside of the crossbar.

But Beale's men came out of half-time with intent and reduced their deficit to one as Cameron Brannagan found the bottom corner neatly following his match-winning contribution against Leicester on Monday night.

The in-form midfielder had an opportunity to level the scores soon after after being played in by Ryan Kent - but Brannagan lost his composure and his footing at the vital moment.

Determined not to lose ground in the hunt for the U21's title, substitute Harry Wilson came close after his lobbed effort narrowly flew over the crossbar, before Kent's effort whistled just wide.

Wilson then had a strong appeal for a penalty-kick turned down, before Collins kept out Brannagan as the Reds searched desperately for an equaliser.

But Beale's men were caught with too many men forward when Chelsea broke with pace through the lively Solanke, and he made the Reds pay with a neat flick beyond Fulton to make it 4-2.

The game was far from over, and Wilson scored late in stoppage-time to ensure a nervy finale - but ultimately the effort was in vain after the returning Sheyi Ojo was denied a penalty despite going down in the area in the final moments.

Nevertheless, Chelsea held on for a huge three points - which sees them move just three points off of 1st-placed Manchester United having won three league fixtures in a row and with a game in hand.

Liverpool still sit 2nd, two points off of United and one above Chelsea with just one game left of the season - in which Beale's side welcome Norwich City to Anfield on Monday night.

Liverpool U21s: Fulton, Randall, Maguire, Williams, Jones (Canos), Stewart, Kent, O'Hanlon (Wilson), Sinclair, Brannagan (Cleary), Ojo. Subs unused: Trickett-Smith, Firth.