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Chelsea FC:
Starting XI: Hampton (GK), Carpenter, Buurman, Nusken, Cuthbert ©, James, Thompson, Girma, Baltimore, Rytting Kaneryd, Walsh
Subs: Bronze (45’), Kerr (67’) Potter (74’) Beever-Jones (83’), Kaptein (83’)
Liverpool Fc:
Starting XI: Falk (GK), Fisk ©, Shimizu, O’Sullivan, Kapocs, Nagano, Clark, Holland, Bergstrom, Bernabe, Thomas
Subs: Enderby (45’) Csillag (74’), MacLean (83’)
Liverpool FC looked to gain on their good run of form this weekend in a trip to Kingsmeadow to face current champions, Chelsea. With the Blues sat third in the league after two consecutive losses to both Manchester City and Arsenal earlier in the year, Chelsea are looking to regain their usual winning ways.
Last time out in the WSL, the teams drew 1-1 in Liverpool, but more recently, Chelsea thrashed the reds 9-1 in the league cup, but can the Blues bring that again at home?
Chelsea took kick off through Lauren James however, the opening stages saw Liverpool looking more confident on the ball.
In just the fourth minute, Liverpool found the back of the net through Alice Bergström, however the goal was ruled out due to a handball.
From then on, Liverpool continued to look positive in front of goal, with Chelsea’s only real chance coming through James once again, who was seen miles offside in the attacking third.
The first corner of the game came in the 9th minute, a kick in favour of Liverpool cleared by the blues defence.
A loose ball was soon met by Liverpool captain Grace Fisk and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in a race down the left flank, with the latter winning the ball, however nothing came from it as the Red’s defence proved too solid to break down.
Fans could be heard around the stands in the 13th minute, Chelsea fans showing appreciation to former General Manager, Paul Green.
It wasn’t long before Hannah Hampton was forced into yet another save after Bergström’s cross edged close to the goal line.
Alyssa Thompson and Sandy Baltimore’s quick feet on the right proved threatening for the reds defence, with the ball skimming across the goal line and into Jennifer Falk’s gloves.
The first half continued much the same, both teams equal on goal, but neither team managed to find the back of the net.
Minute 36 saw a promising shot from Lauren James once again, a no-look over head pass gliding just wide of goal.
Moments later Ellie Carpenter broke free once again, passing back to Sjoeke Nusken who laid the ball off for Alyssa Thompson, the pass however proved too powerful for Thompson to get a hold of, with the ball rolling out for a goal kick.
Lauren James’ fancy footwork saw Alice Bergström spun before a cross to Sjoeke Nusken, who found her first goal in the league, to bring the blues 1-0 up before half time.
Liverpool however, acted accordingly to this with a spell of high pressure in the attacking third, this however led to nothing, with the Blues lead continuing into the break.
Half time: Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
The second half saw substitutes from both sides with Lucy Bronze replacing Sandy Baltimore and Alice Bergström being replaced by Mia Enderby.
Hannah Hampton was forced into a save in the 50th minute however it proved no real threat for the England Keeper.
Chelsea came close to a second in the 63rd minute, with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd finding Lauren James once again, who’s touch was shot wide.
However just a minute later, James’ shot found the back of the net with some cheeky footwork before gliding the ball past Liverpool’s Jennifer Falk, bringing the Blues 2-0 up.
This also saw Chelsea’s second substitution of the game, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd making way for Sam Kerr.
The substitute came close to scoring the Blue’s third of the game, however the shot proved too easy for Falk, the keeper collecting the ball with ease.
The 74th minute saw a further two substitutes, Lexi Potter replacing Keira Walsh and Aurelie Csillag replacing Martha Thomas.
A double substitution in the 83rd minute saw Wieke Kaptein and Aggie Beever-Jones replace Keira Walsh and Alyssa Thompson whilst Liverpool’s Cornelia Kapocs was replaced by Kirsty MacLean.
These substitutions saw another surge of energy from the reigning champions with the blues regaining the confidence in front of goal.
The 89th minute saw the ball at the feet of Ellie Carpenter, with a clear opportunity on goal, however, one touch too many meant Falk was first to it and the score would remain 2-0.
With both teams kept at bay for the final minutes of added time, the full time score was 2-0 to Chelsea, a positive return home after a worrying couple of games for the West London club.
Full time: Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
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