Chelsea Dominates Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 Ending WSL Winless Streak for Sonia Bompastor’s Team
Chelsea Football Club secured a much-needed victory in the Women’s Super League (WSL) by defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0. This win ended Chelsea’s winless streak, which had extended over four matches.
Chelsea’s Dominance at Brighton
The match took place at Brighton’s home ground, where Chelsea displayed their attacking prowess. Sandy Baltimore opened the scoring with an impressive solo effort in the 42nd minute, showcasing her skill by cutting in from the left and curling a shot into the top corner.
Key Match Events
- 42nd Minute: Sandy Baltimore scores, giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead.
- Own Goal: Caitlin Hayes of Brighton inadvertently heads the ball into her own net, doubling Chelsea’s lead.
- 73rd Minute: Alyssa Thompson scores from a low cross by Sam Kerr, sealing the game at 3-0.
Goalkeeper Performance
Brighton’s goalkeeper, Sophie Baggaley, put up a strong defense despite the loss. She made crucial saves, including one that deflected Baltimore’s volley onto the crossbar. Baggaley’s performance delayed Chelsea’s success until they found their rhythm.
Impact of Substitutions
Coach Sonia Bompastor brought on Sam Kerr at halftime, which significantly affected the game. Kerr’s movement in the box led to the second goal. Erin Cuthbert’s driven cross created an opportunity for Hayes to score an own goal under pressure.
League Standings
With this victory, Chelsea climbed to second place in the WSL, overtaking Arsenal. However, they still trail behind league leaders Manchester City by six points, a gap that was ensured after City’s dominant 6-1 win against Aston Villa.
Brighton’s Position
Brighton remains in seventh place in the league, holding 14 points. They have struggled to find consistent form this season, unable to convert chances into goals against Chelsea.
This match demonstrates Chelsea’s resilience as they seek to return to the top of the Women’s Super League standings, while Brighton looks to improve in their upcoming fixtures.