Chelsea hosted Brighton and Hove Albion at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, seeking to continue an incredible winning streak that has seen them emerge victorious in every match this season. However, with the arrival of new players, like former Manchester United forward Nikita Parris and Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby, Brighton have added significant experience and quality to their squad, marking them as tougher opponents this season.
The _Seagulls_ were beaten 4-2, though the match highlighted a noticeable improvement in their pressing and defensive organisation, which pushed Chelsea to adapt tactically.
_The Seagulls_ kicked off the match, with Nikita Parris immediately looking lively in the opening exchanges, and the rest of the team eager to set off quickly. Brighton’s early ball into the box caused some pressure, leading to a corner from Vicky Losada, which was ultimately cleared by the Chelsea defence.
Erin Cuthbert posed a significant threat moments later, aiming a corner to the front post, signalling Chelsea’s attacking intent and hunger for a goal. Guro Reiten tried a similar tactic shortly after, delivering another corner into the six-yard box, but the lack of a finishing touch left the opportunity unconverted.
Parris and Jelena Čanković were denied in quick succession as Hannah Hampton dived to block, leaving Sjoeke Nüsken to make a crucial goal-line clearance, followed by Sophie Baggaley’s save against Reiten in the ninth minute.
Jorelyn Carabali’s tackle on Reiten midway through the half gave Chelsea a promising free kick, but the team struggled to capitalise on their numerous opportunities. This inability to convert was highlighted further when Cuthbert received a yellow card for a strong challenge, disrupting Chelsea’s rhythm in the 20th minute.
Parris had another chance soon after, but her shot went high, with Pauline Bremer waiting open on her left. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd looked to break through for Chelsea – a surefire goal, but the forward was denied by a crucial deflection from Guro Bergsvand. At the other end, Hampton produced a brilliant save to deny Brighton’s Carabali before Chelsea finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, when Nüsken intercepted a pass from Čanković and fired the ball into the net. Brighton almost responded immediately, but Hampton once again denied a close-range effort.
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A hesitation from Baggaley permitted Aggie Beever-Jones to steal the ball and tap it into an open net, allowing the Blues to double their lead just moments later. The first half wasn’t quite over yet, though, as Brighton pulled one back in the 44th minute when Čanković used the ball’s momentum to curl it behind the diving Hampton, ensuring the _Seagulls_ didn’t let Chelsea run too far ahead.
The second half began with tactical adjustments from both teams. Brighton substituted Pauline Bremer for Michelle Agyemang, while Chelsea brought on Catarina Macario for Wieke Kaptein and Niamh Charles for Ashley Lawrence.
Chelsea extended their lead early in the half, with Rytting Kaneryd scoring in the 51st minute, with her precision giving Chelsea a seemingly comfortable 3-1 advantage. Brighton responded rapidly by substituting first-half scorer Čanković for Bruna Vilamala in the 62nd minute. Vilamala quickly threatened, but her effort was denied by Hampton, who stopped her despite open options on the left.
By the 70th minute, Brighton grew into the game, pressing Chelsea more effectively. Kiko Seike showcased impressive defensive work, cutting off Chelsea’s long runs down the wing with timely slide tackles. Their persistence paid off in the 71st minute when Hampton’s misplaced pass was capitalised on by Bremer, allowing Seike to fire the ball into the net and narrow the gap to 3-2.
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Brighton continued to press Chelsea, making them work hard defensively, and Chelsea made another change shortly after, replacing Rytting-Kaneryd with Mayra Ramirez in the 72nd minute Carabali received a yellow card for a late tackle on Ramirez, increasing the tension. Late in the game, Macario attempted to secure Chelsea’s lead but dragged her foot wide, unable to find the right angle for a goal.
More substitutions were made, with Seike making way for – Rebecca Rayner as a last-ditch attempt for Brighton to close the narrow gap between them and a draw, but ultimately, the Seagulls were unable to convert any chances in the last minutes of the match.
Chelsea extended their lead to 4-2 with a clinical finish from Sjoeke Nüsken, her second goal of the match. The goal came in the 91st minute from a well-delivered corner, which Nüsken expertly met with precision to get into the back of the net. To protect this two-goal lead, Chelsea then substituted Cuthbert for Oriane Jean-François.
This victory solidifies Chelsea’s position at the top of the league table, maintaining their unbeaten streak. Brighton, despite the loss, showcased their growing capability to challenge top-tier teams, a performance that could prove critical in their mid-table battle. Both teams will reflect on missed opportunities, with Chelsea eager to tighten their defence and Brighton looking to capitalise on their newfound momentum in upcoming fixtures. Despite Brighton’s relentless effort, and another late, denied attempt from Seike, Chelsea held on to secure victory.
The evolving dynamic sets the stage for an even more competitive season ahead.
**The Lineups**
**CHE:** Hampton, Lawrence, Bright (C), Björn, Bronze, Cuthbert, Nüsken, Reiten, Kaptein, Kaneryd, Beever-Jones
**BRI:** Baggaley, Pattinson, Bergsvand, Losada, Bremer, Parris, Čanković, Seike, Carabali, Olislagers, McLauchlan.