KINGSMEADOW, MAR 18 – Chelsea kept the pressure on the Women’s Super League (WSL) title race with a 2–1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Kingsmeadow, as teenager Lexi Potter marked her first WSL debut with a memorable winner.
For her first start and first goal for Chelsea, 19-year-old Potter broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, firing a right-footed shot into the top right corner from the centre of the box, following an assist from earlier goalscorer Alyssa Thompson.
“Brighton are a team that play really good football,” Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor said in a pre-match press conference. “We know we have a big game with a challenge facing us, but we’ll be ready.”
Chelsea’s first goal came only three minutes after a long range attempt from Aggie Beever-Jones in the tenth minute.
American forward Thompson gave the home side the lead in the 13th minute as she rose in the centre of the box to head home French left back Sandy Baltimore’s cross.
Brighton responded quickly and drew level just four minutes later in the 17th minute as forward Carla Camacho struck from outside the box, finding the bottom right corner and giving Nadine Noordam her fifth assist this season.
Credit: Daniel Weir/SPP (Shutterstock)
The match grew increasingly physical midway through the half, with Brighton’s Manuela Vanegas and Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nüsken and Wieke Kaptein all receiving yellow cards after a series of strong challenges.
Further bookings ensued for Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze, Brighton’s Bex Rayner and, former Chelsea player now Seagull, Maelys Mpome as the contest intensified.
The Blues arrived with renewed confidence after lifting the Women’s League Cup on Sunday, a boost Bompastor acknowledged.
“It gives you a lot of confidence no matter which team you are or what player you are,” she said. “We are humans and we need that confidence.”
Chelsea finished the match with 58% possession, and 13 shots, with four on target.
Now lifted to second place, Chelsea turn their attention to their next WSL fixture away against London City Lionesses as the title race enters the final stretch.
