Lexi Potter and a first Chelsea goal for Melvine Malard gave Sonia Bompastor back-to-back wins, as Chelsea head into Wednesday night’s Champions League game against Austria Wien Women with plenty of confidence.
For Blues Women, after a disappointing first-half display, there were times in the second half when they showed what they are capable of in this league. They can now head into the Crystal Palace game with plenty of confidence.
Amy made two changes, bringing Blues captain Millie Turner back into the side for Shannon Cooke following her illness, while Wilma Leidhammar replaced Veatriki Sarri.
FIRST HALF
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The first chance of the game fell to Chelsea when a Keira Walsh shot went just wide of the post following a corner in the sixth minute.
The next chance resulted in the opening goal. A ball into the Blues box was brilliantly flicked on by Thompson and superbly saved by Baggaley, but the rebound fell to Lexi Potter, who finished brilliantly into the top corner.
Chelsea were starting to find their flow. Their next chance came from Alyssa Thompson following a quick throw-in which caught Neve Herron switched off. It gave Thompson a one-on-one opportunity, but Sophie Baggaley saved well with her legs in the 16th minute.
In the 21st minute, Thompson had another chance, but this time her effort went over the bar.
In the 35th minute, a beautiful cross from Thompson found the head of Dutch midfielder Kaptein, who rattled the crossbar.
Then, in the 39th minute, Ellie Carpenter’s shot was brilliantly saved by Baggaley and turned behind for a corner.
Blues Women’s first chance came in the 45th minute when an Océane Hurtré shot was comfortably saved by Hannah Hampton.
The final chance of the half fell to Chelsea following a corner, which Kadeisha Buchanan headed wide of the far post.
HALF-TIME: CHELSEA WOMEN 1-0 BLUES WOMEN
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SECOND HALF
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Amy made a change to the shape at the start of the second half, pushing the defensive line higher up the pitch. However, the first chance still fell to Chelsea.
Following a handball appeal which the referee waved away, the ball came to Alyssa Thompson, whose shot was brilliantly blocked by Neve Herron in the 51st minute.
In the 58th minute, a Keira Walsh shot went straight at Sophie Baggaley.
A minute later, Blues created their best chance of the game. Lee Geum-Min played the ball down the line to Marie Levasseur, who then found Crosthwaite. She crossed into the box for Wilma Leidhammar, but her effort went straight into the hands of Hannah Hampton.
In the 67th minute, substitute Suzu Amano’s shot went just wide of the post.
Blues had another chance in the 70th minute when a beautiful ball into the box from Océane Hurtré wasn’t cleared by the Chelsea defence. It fell to Suzu Amano, but her shot went agonisingly past the post.
Just 30 seconds later, Chelsea doubled their lead. A soft header from captain Millie Turner was too short for goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley, allowing Melvine Malard to collect the ball and finish into an empty net.
The final chance of the game fell to Blues Women when an Asato Miyagawa shot was saved by Hannah Hampton in the 80th minute.
FULL-TIME: CHELSEA WOMEN 2-0 BLUES WOMEN
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MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
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A performance to be proud of, especially in the second half, but I want to see that type of performance in the first half too. If we can do that consistently, then I think it will be a successful season.
In the first half, Chelsea were the dominant side. We didn’t look threatening, and I think at times some of the players looked nervous. However, in parts of the second half, we showed what we are capable of.
When you get those chances, though, you need to put them away, especially at places like Stamford Bridge.
Now we have got City and Chelsea out of the way, we can head into the next couple of games looking to pick up some points. Of course, it won’t be easy, especially next week against Crystal Palace, who have been one of our bogey teams in recent years.
MY PLAYER OF THE MATCH
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My Player of the Match goes to Ellie Carpenter. Her all-round game was sensational.
UP NEXT
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We start our Subway Players Cup campaign on Wednesday night as we travel to Goodison Park to face Everton, with kick-off at 19:00.