The Blues secured a hard-fought away win at Walton Hall Park as it finished Everton 1-3 Chelsea. Despite the absence of manager Emma Hayes, the defending champions were able to see off a much-improved Toffees thanks to Pernille Harder’s brace, and Niamh Charles’s superb solo effort.
Everton 1-3 Chelsea: Pre-Match Team News
Chelsea were without manager Emma Hayes, who was recovering after her emergency surgery this week. With Denise Reddy on the touchline, the Blues made several changes to the side that beat West Ham.
Ann-Katrin Berger continued in goal. Eve Perisset started at right-back with captain Magda Eriksson at left-back. New signing Kadeisha Buchanan partnered Ballon D’Or nominee Millie Bright at the back. Erin Cuthbert and Jessie Fleming were in the engine room, with Guro Reiten and Lauren James out wide. Pernille Harder started in behind Sam Kerr up top.
First Half
It was a scrappy opening period as both sides struggled to keep the ball. Chelsea continued their slow start but did think they had the lead 14 minutes in. A rampaging run from Lauren James eventually saw the ball reach Sam Kerr. The Aussie finished well, but was thwarted again this season by the offside flag.
It would take over more 15 minutes for more real goalmouth action. Brosnan’s unconvincing punch from Reiten’s cross came back to Lauren James on the edge of the box. Her fierce drive had Courtney Brosnan totally flummoxed, however, the keeper was saved by her crossbar.
Chelsea eventually made their possession dominance count on the 37th minute. Guro Reiten was the architect. Her tricky wing-play saw her bamboozle Lucy Graham before crossing. The Norwegian’s delivery was perfectly flighted for Pernille Harder. The Dane made no mistake with the header to open her account for the season. Everton 0-1 Chelsea.
Embed from Getty ImagesHarder and Fleming both went close before the whistle, but at half-time, it was still Everton 0-1 Chelsea.
Second Half
After another bitty start to the second half, the Toffees did hit back. A deep free kick was headed across by Megan Finnigan to Gabby George. The Everton defender was denied brilliantly by Berger, but the ball popped up and bounced in off a hapless Buchanan. Everton 1-1 Chelsea; somewhat against the run of play.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe away side recovered well and retook the lead on the 59th minute. A good passing move around the box saw Harder release Reiten. Although she was going away from goal, Brosnan clumsily caught her and sent her down. Harder stepped up and calmly rolled it into the corner. Everton 1-2 Chelsea.
Embed from Getty ImagesHarder was replaced minutes later by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd who impressed off the bench. She was close to her first Chelsea goal on the 75th minute too. Kerr laid the ball off to the Swedish winger and her stunning right-foot drive hammered off the crossbar.
England and Charles replaced Kerr and Reiten before James drove wide from just outside the box. She was replaced by Ingle on the 87th, before Buchanan flashed a header over the bar. Kaneryd again was involved to set up Fleming but she blazed over from close range.
The game was sealed deep in stoppage time. A stunning run from Niamh Charles saw her drive past 3 Everton defenders from the half-way line, before firing low past Brosnan into the corner. Everton 1-3 Chelsea.
The final minutes of the game were played out at walking pace with the scoreline decided as it finished Everton 1-3 Chelsea.
Full Time: Everton 1-3 Chelsea
Embed from Getty ImagesFinal Thoughts: Everton 1-3 Chelsea
A good win away at a tough side. Everton are vastly improved this year and in front of a passionate crowd, they will feel aggrieved to have not taken something from the game. In truth, Chelsea could and probably should have scored more.
Kerr is still struggling to find her form and it might be worth giving Beth England a chance up top. On the plus side, Pernille Harder was extremely impressive. The Dane was the main reason why it finished Everton 1-3 Chelsea and will be integral for the Blues in games to come.
Up next, it’s the start of the 2022-23 UWCL Campaign away at Paris Saint-Germain.