The Blues capped off a great week with a 2nd away win as they saw off a resilient Seagulls. Boggy conditions made the game a difficult one, however, the defending Champions persevered. Beth England’s close-range effort was followed up by Pernille Harder’s late strike to ensure it finished Brighton 0-2 Chelsea.
Brighton 0-2 Chelsea: Team News
After the midweek victory over Paris Saint-Germain, Denise Reddy made a number of changes. Ann-Katrin Berger continued in goal. Aniek Nouwen, Jess Carter and Millie Bright formed a familiar back 3. Niamh Charles started at left-wing-back, with Eve Perisset on the right. Jessie Fleming and Erin Cuthbert were in the engine room. Lauren James started on the left side of the attack, with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd on the right. Bethany England led the line for the first time this season.
First Half
There were severe doubts about this game going ahead. A late pitch inspection ruled it playable, however, the boggy surface caused huge issues. Both Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Jessie Fleming saw good runs thwarted by the standing water. Brighton’s first foray forward saw Sarri scuff an effort wide. Katie Robinson then was stopped at the last minute by Jess Carter.
Embed from Getty ImagesFleming again was involved as she robbed Victoria Williams in the Brighton box. A clumsy challenge from Williams did not result in a spot-kick, despite the blatant contact. A pair of set pieces saw Charles head straight at Megan Walsh. She was called into more dramatic action late in the half as she tipped over Beth England’s long-range effort.
Second Half
Chelsea started the second half with intent and nearly got an instant reward. Charles’s burst into the box saw her cut-back to Jessie Fleming. The Canuck’s shot was spilled by Walsh but England tucked away the loose ball. However, she was thwarted by the offside flag.
In an end-to-end start, a Brighton cross was fumbled by Berger and came to Robinson. She couldn’t get the ball out of her feet, however, and Chelsea broke. Again, the ball found Beth England. However, this time her strike was blocked by Williams. However, 3rd time was to be the charm. Another corner found the head of Charles. Her effort cannoned down off the crossbar between Poppy Pattinson and Walsh. England was on hand to poke home. Brighton 0-1 Chelsea.
Embed from Getty ImagesElisabeth Terland nearly levelled instantly from Brighton. A scramble after a corner saw her poke an effort goalward. However, Ann-Katrin Berger produced a stunning low stop. At the other end, another flowing Chelsea move saw Kaneryd tee up Eve Perisset. Her strike had Walsh beaten, but slammed against the crossbar.
Geum Min Lee then fed Robinson for the Seagull’s best chance. The winger sped past substitute Magda Eriksson and poked an effort across goal. However, Sarri couldn’t turn in at the far post and Millie Bright cleared. With the game increasingly frantic, Chelsea settled the game. Subsitute Sophie Ingle pressed Lee and disposed her. A quick pass into another substitute Sam Kerr saw her turn and take advantage of the acres of space from the high Brighton line. She fed another sub in Pernille Harder who drove into the box and rifled past Walsh, off the crossbar. Brighton 0-2 Chelsea.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Brighton spirits broke, both Cuthbert and Reiten had chances to put gloss on the scoreline, but it finished Brighton 0-2 Chelsea.
Full Time: Brighton 0-2 Chelsea
Embed from Getty ImagesFinal Thoughts: Brighton 0-2 Chelsea
A huge 3 points. Chelsea so often have slipped up against the Seagulls in recent years. The conditions were tough and there was a very partisan loud crowd. Despite this, Chelsea played brilliantly. They controlled the game for long swathes, created a lot of chances and on another day, would have had 2 or 3 before they even opened the scoring. Jess Carter, Aniek Nouwen and Eve Perisset were all impressive in the defensive third. Jo Kaneryd continues to look like an immense signing and goals and assist will definitely come. It’s always good to see Beth England on the scoresheet too!
Chelsea are next back in action on Wednesday in the UWCL, when we take on Albanian Women Champions KS Vllaznia at Kingsmeadow.