Chelsea maintained their unblemished start to the Women’s Super League season with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Brighton at Kingsmeadow, extending their lead at the top of the table to five points. Despite some defensive vulnerabilities that led to two conceded goals, Chelsea’s attacking prowess and resilience shone through, with Sjoeke Nusken bagging a brace and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton pulling off several crucial saves. The win also saw Chelsea equal Arsenal’s record of nine consecutive victories in the top-flight, a feat previously achieved between 2018 and 2019. However, the match highlighted the competitive nature of the league, with Brighton pushing Chelsea to their limits and proving a constant threat throughout the 90 minutes.
Manager Emma Hayes was full of praise for Hampton despite one of the conceded goals originating from a misplaced clearance by the keeper. Hayes emphasized the importance of encouraging her players to be brave and take risks, even if they don’t always succeed. She highlighted the overall positive impact of Hampton’s performance, citing her crucial saves as instrumental in securing the victory. Hampton’s saves prevented Brighton from capitalizing on several promising opportunities, including a late effort from Kiko Seike that could have potentially levelled the score. The match underscored the importance of Hampton’s role in solidifying Chelsea’s defense, despite the occasional error.
The game itself was a thrilling encounter with end-to-end action and six goals shared between the two sides. Chelsea opened the scoring through Nusken, who capitalized on a Brighton error at the back. Aggie Beever-Jones doubled the lead shortly after, pouncing on Sophie Baggaley’s hesitation in the Brighton goal. However, Brighton showed their resilience and pulled a goal back just before half-time through former Chelsea player Jelena Cankovic, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
The second half saw Chelsea further extend their lead with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd finding the net following a Baggaley save from Lucy Bronze’s shot. However, Brighton refused to give up and clawed another goal back through Seike, capitalizing on a clearance miscue by Hampton. Despite sustained pressure from Brighton, who had nine shots on target and created numerous chances, Chelsea’s defense held firm, with Hampton making some crucial saves to protect their lead. In the dying moments of the game, Nusken sealed the victory for Chelsea with her second goal, a well-placed header securing the three points for the league leaders.
Brighton, despite the loss, put in a commendable performance, showcasing their attacking intent and creating several opportunities to score. Manager Dario Vidosic expressed pride in his team’s performance, acknowledging the difficult circumstances they faced leading up to the match with injuries to key players. He attributed the loss to a few uncharacteristic mistakes, but remained optimistic about the team’s progress and their ability to learn from the experience. He emphasized the importance of moving forward and focusing on their upcoming League Cup fixture.
The result saw Chelsea maintain their perfect start to the season, solidifying their position as title favorites. Brighton, despite dropping to fifth place, demonstrated they are a force to be reckoned with and will be aiming to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures. The match highlighted the competitive landscape of the WSL, with teams like Brighton pushing the traditional powerhouses, making for an exciting and unpredictable season. The match serves as a reminder of the increasing depth and quality of teams in the league, making it a more competitive and compelling spectacle for fans.
