Chelsea use phenomenal first-half to win: takeaways from Reading triumph

It wasn’t the most straightforward performance in the world from Chelsea, but at the end of the day, the Blues found a way to dig out a win. That is what the top teams do, and despite a poor second half with a lack of urgency like in the first 45 minutes, CFC maintains its position at the top of the table heading into the break.

Reading’s position in the table is always deceiving, as it continuously puts out a competitive side that always seems to challenge the west London side in some way. Head coach, Kelly Chambers has ambitions into progressing this club forward, and that second-half display was a step in the right direction for the Royals. Using Millie Bright’s consistency in the defense and Jelena Cankovic running the show in the middle of the pitch, the Blues outlasted the Berkshire side with a sublime and composed first-half performance.

Two goals for the Royals within two minutes of each other caught the Blues off guard, but three substitutions within the next 10 minutes including Jessie Fleming in the midfield began to settle things down, and pushed Chelsea forward, as it looked for a fourth goal to seal the contest. Manchester United dropped points in third position, leaving a gap of five points between the west London outfit and the Red Devils with Marc Skinner’s side possessing a game in hand. Two Champions League contests await the Blues before a long hiatus, and despite being three points ahead of the Gunners, there is no room to get comfortable. With yet another victory at Kingsmeadow confirmed, here are the lessons from a snowy, and always tricky night out against Reading: