Zouma spot on for Chelsea youngsters

Kurt Zouma scored twice in a penalty shootout on his return to competitive action on Tuesday as Chelsea’s Under-23 side prevailed on penalties against Oxford United in the EFL Trophy.

The French centre-back featured in the development side’s previous two outings as he sought to build fitness on his comeback from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during February’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

Zouma completed 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge as the Chelsea XI played out a 1-1 draw with their League One opponents, before twice holding his nerve from 12 yards as the hosts prevailed 13-12 in a remarkably prolonged penalty showdown.

Earlier, the 22-year-old received treatment following a blow to the face but showed no ill effects, continuing as Josimar Quintero’s opener was pegged back by Oxford’s Kane Hemmings deep into stoppage time.

Here’s @KurtZouma on his return to action at Stamford Bridge. Our development squad currently lead Oxford thanks to Josimar Quintero’s goal. pic.twitter.com/nXaiyDoVHR

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 8, 2016

Elsewhere in the competition, which was opened up to Under-23 sides in England’s top two tiers this season alongside the core League One and League Two competitors, a strong Stoke City line-up also required penalties to see off Bury.

Giannelli Imbula, Marc Muniesa, Peter Crouch and Bojan Krkic all started and the latter two combined for the ex-Barcelona forward to cancel out  George Miller’s goal in a 1-1 draw.