BRIGHTON, 14 DEC — After their first Women’s Super League loss in 34 games last week to Everton, Chelsea returned to the league with a strong performance against Brighton in a 3-0 win, including a goal from left winger Sandy Baltimore at Broadfield Stadium this Sunday.
The French national scored a stunning goal in the 42nd minute, striking the ball into the top left corner to kickoff the Blues’ lead, following an assist from Alyssa Thompson.
“We focus on the details but not too much because that is when the players overthink and it becomes worse,” head coach Sonia Bompastor said in a pre-match interview. “So the preparation for the Roma game was about good preparation and making sure the players stayed confident heading into the game and they knew we had the quality heading into this game and would score goals. It will be the same heading into Brighton.”
Thompson returned to the box in the 73rd minute to score her fourth goal for Chelsea into the bottom left corner after an assist from substitute Sam Kerr.
Chelsea’s second goal of the match was awarded in the 51st minute, after Brighton’s Caitlin Hayes headed in an own goal in an attempt to block a strong cross from central midfielder Erin Cuthbert.
Livia Peng kept a clean sheet for the Blues while Hannah Hampton has remained out on injury.
Although Chelsea dominated in possession, it was a feisty game between the two southern sides with a combined 26 fouls and three yellows handed out.
“We know it will be a tough game,” Bompastor said before the match began. “It is never easy to travel to Brighton. They have a good team, they have momentum and they are confident after winning the game at the weekend so we are expecting a tough game.”
Ending their four-game winless streak, Bompastor’s side finished the first half of the WSL season with a long-awaited win. Chelsea moved to second on the table, six points behind Manchester City and only two points ahead of London rivals Arsenal.
The Blues will return after the winter holidays on 24 January to face the Gunners at Stamford Bridge in a highly anticipated rematch after their controversial draw at the Emirates earlier in the season.
