Welcome back Pernille Harder: Chelsea top Everton on the road

It may not have been the most perfect performance in front of the net in the Blues’ first match without Emma Hayes on the sideline this season, but it was enough to get the job done on the road. With a quick turnaround ahead for Chelsea, the Blues found a way to snatch all three points against Everton behind two goals from the returning Danish star attacker, Pernille Harder. Chelsea accumulated its season high in shots with 22 in a sold-out Walton Hall Park, but the final touch was the obstacle between the Blues and a more decisive victory.

From Niamh Charles’ dazzling run through three defenders to put the cherry on top of Chelsea’s third straight Women’s Super League victory to the quality crosses played into the box from the flanks, the Blues put together a dominating outing on the road despite the separation between the two sides only being one goal heading into stoppage time. Kadeisha Buchanan’s own goal within a few minutes of the second half put the Toffees back into the match, but the quality linkup play between four Blues led to Harder finding her way to the penalty spot to bring the momentum back in Chelsea’s favor.

Following her first day out in the WSL this season, Paul Green gave his take on Harder’s outing on Sunday afternoon:

"We missed her in the early part of the season but coming back and having a player of her quality, it’s great to call on her services…Her first goal was a great team move, which she finished off really well and she showed great composure for the penalty, which was a crucial moment in the game…We’re really delighted for Pernille and we look forward to her hopefully staying fit and healthy for the rest of the season.”"