KINGSMEADOW, 29 MARCH – A nail-biting contest saw Chelsea beat Aston Villa 4-3 at Kingsmeadow on Sunday as they climbed to second place in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
Chelsea delivered the deciding goal in the 81st minute, when German midfielder Sjoeke Nüsken finished a clinical assist from previous goalscorer Sam Kerr.
Nüsken told Sky Sports: “It was a tough game for us. We are very happy that we could score in the end. The last ten minutes had a lot of pressure and in the end, it was a deserved win.”
With Chelsea having won all 17 previous meetings between the sides, the tight contest proved more difficult than expected.
Chasity Grant scored the opening goal in just the second minute, finishing a cross from Wilms.
Credit: Javier Garcia
Chelsea responded in the 20th minute when Kerr converted a through ball from Nüsken to bring the home side level, with a goal each, in the first half.
The equaliser sparked a rapid turnaround, with Naomi Girma putting Chelsea ahead three minutes later, before Lauren James extended the lead to 3-1 in the 27th minute.
However, the Blues’ lead did not last long. Villa’s Kirsty Hanson struck twice in the space of four minutes in the 31st and 35th minute, both goals assisted by Dutch defender Lynn Wilms, to level the score at half-time.
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor admitted her frustration in the post-match press conference, saying: “When you are winning 3-1, especially at home, you should control the game. At half time, I was a bit frustrated.”
The second half was a tense and closely fought affair, with both sides struggling to find a breakthrough, until Nüsken’s deciding goal in the 81st minute.
The victory moves Chelsea into second place, though they remain nine points clear of leaders Manchester City.
With three league matches remaining, their hopes of securing a seventh consecutive WSL title and Champions League qualification require a flawless finish and a maintained top three spot.
