Everton celebrate as Honoka Hayashi scores against ChelseaGetty Images
At a glance
Chelsea are defeated in the Women's Super League for the first time in 585 days
It is the first time that Chelsea have lost under Sonia Bompastor and they are now six points off league leaders Manchester City
Everton win for just the second time this season and keep their first clean sheet
PLAYER RATINGS
Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea suffered their first Women's Super League defeat under Sonia Bompastor and their first since May 2024 as they lost 1-0 at home to Everton.
It is a result which could have significant consequences for their season, with the Blues now six points adrift of league leaders Manchester City.
It did not take long for the Kingsmeadow crowd to be stunned by Everton as Toni Payne bursted down the wing and drilled a low delivery into the box which was turned home by Honoka Hayashi at the back post.
Hayashi's goal was a blow which, as time went on, felt like a punishment for Chelsea as their sluggish play in midfield lacked quality and they failed to make the most of their chances.
Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan was switched on to make the necessary saves when called upon to keep the hosts at bay, while the likes of Ruby Mace were determined in defence and constantly tracked runs.
Out on the pitch early for the start of the second half, Chelsea's energy was higher after the break but still not enough to break down the visitors' resolute back line.
The introduction of Sam Kerr from the bench, however, was the first thing which caused a significant improvement, breathing new life into an attack which had been somewhat stale.
They nearly equalised when a Sandy Baltimore corner bounced off an Everton player's back hit the post and caused a goalmouth scramble, but the Toffees managed to recover.
Then, as the clock ticked down in added time, Chelsea thought they had managed to salvage a draw but had the ball cleared off the line again and hit the woodwork once more when Wieke Kaptein headed an effort against the bar.
Analysis: Chelsea no match for Everton's resolute defence
This is a first win in eight games for Everton and they owe their victory to their perfect defensive set-up.
They crowded the right areas to keep Chelsea out and never let their energy levels slip, marking closely throughout and maintaining the required intensity.
Even as Chelsea made use of their incredible depth of talent from the bench, Everton remained resolute and held their shape and made the right interceptions when needed.
This was a story of two approaches from Chelsea, and two responses from Everton: a disjointed attack in the first half which was easier to deal with, and later relentless aggression from the hosts which required Everton to dig deep.
Throughout, though, Chelsea's end product was poor, with Kerr scuffing her shot and failing to hit the target when one-on-one typifying their attacking efforts.
Chelsea chalked up a mammoth 28 shots, 61 touches in Everton's box and 18 corners, but could not find an equaliser.
This is also a result which could have significant consequences for their season, potentially spelling an end to Chelsea's title hopes.
They have won the WSL in each of the past six seasons, but are now six points adrift of the league leaders after just 10 games.
While they had drawn twice in the league under manager Bompastor before Sunday's defeat, this is their first loss since being beaten 4-3 at Liverpool in May 2024.
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Chelsea
Everton
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1L. Peng
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17S. Baltimore
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30K. Walsh
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23M. Hamano
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33A. Beever-Jones
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18W. Kaptein
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20S. Kerr
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19J. Rytting Kaneryd
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Starting XI
1C. Brosnan
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13H. Kitagawa
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5Martina Fernández
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30R. Mace
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3R. Ishikawa
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6H. Hayashi
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18Ornella Vignola
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7C. Wheeler
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9T. Payne
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11K. Gago
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29Y. Momiki
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4I. Hobson
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19K. Robinson
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28K. Holmgaard
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25K. Snoeijs
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8R. van Gool
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