Chelsea Women bring home the club’s first silverware of the season

In the only Community Shield that matters on the day, the Chelsea Women defeated Manchester City comfortably to bring home the season’s first silverware.

After the way last season ended, the Community Shield match between Chelsea and Manchester City was expected to be a heavyweight bought. When play ended, Manchester City was at the top of the table but lost out on the Women’s Super League title to Chelsea on points per game. This match was, in some ways, supposed to be the final say on that season as it opened the curtains for a new one.

Chelsea was not having that. They were champions and that was going to be that. They Blues started strong early as they put City under intense pressure from the whistle. Chelsea was in a 4-2-3-1 shape, but the front four (and Sophie Ingle in the pivot) were so fluid that it could look like any number of shapes depending on the play.

The game plan seemed to be focused on controlling the ball deep before finding through ball opportunities in behind. Time and time again, the Blues found themselves on the break. Unfortunately, they could not catch a break when it came to actually putting it in the net.

That should not be too surprising since the women have not played since February. The hard part is creating chances, not finishing them, and they did manage to create chance after chance. Sam Kerr ended up on the end of many of these chances but the rust was there as she struggled to find the target. But the chances were there and the possession and passing was smooth. The finishing was really the only part missing.

Keeper Ann-Katrin Berger looked sharp, however, as she kept the Blues in the match with a few keys saves on City’s few chances. Apparently keepers are allowed to claim crosses and make diving saves and Berger made sure to take advantage of that fact in the first half.

Chelsea was in control even before Manchester City’s Jill Scott got her second yellow for a late challenge on Ji So-Yun. The Blues probably did not need the advantage, but they surely would not have rejected it.

Not longer after, centerback Millie Bright launched an absolute monster of a shot at goal to put the Blues ahead. From that point on, Manchester City stayed tight at the back and denied the Blues any opportunities as they themselves looked for a chance to equalize. But they did let up once after added time started when substitute Erin Cuthbert found himself free in the center of the box. She blasted it into the top left corner, putting the game to bed.

So, Chelsea ended the day as rightful winners to this season’s Community Shield. The new season kicks on 6 September with an away trip to Manchester United. The Blues will be looking to continue their dominance domestically as they strengthen to go all the way in Europe too.