Takeaways from Chelsea Women’s walloping of West Ham United

Seven goals. Just reading that number makes anyone’s jaw drop. Against a competent Women’s Super League side that snatched away a point from Arsenal, Emma Hayes and the Blues made it clear who was going to the Conti Cup final at Selhurst Park on March 5. Heading into the international break, it is yet another reality check for the Irons while CFC has moved to its second cup final of the campaign.

The game was already decided when Lauren James played an exquisite pass-through to Fran Kirby, leaving her one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the 10’. West Ham managed just one tame shot in total through 90 minutes in its weak attempt to test Ann-Katrin Berger in her return to the starting lineup. The Irons’ goal drought continues as Paul Konchesky’s side has been shut out in five out of the last seven matches in all competitions. It was not just the seven goals that Chelsea’s offense were able to put up, the Blues’ backline found a way to earn a much-needed clean sheet after letting in at least one goal in four straight contests.

Despite four changes at the break, West Ham looked like the same side that came out flat to begin the game. It was the perfect way to conclude a tough stretch of games for CFC. Getting their hands on every piece of silverware as possible has been the goal since the beginning, and this display just emphasizes that a little more. The last time West Ham United allowed six or more goals was in fact the Conti Cup in 2021 at Kingsmeadow when Pernille Harder netted a hat trick.

It was the fourth time this season that the Blues finished a contest with double-digit shots on net. CFC was relentless, starting the match from the get-go with an energy the opposition simply could not match. Unlike, the past Tottenham game, the Blues kept their foot on the gas, continuing to push for the next goal while the Irons struggled to contain a versatile Blues attack that has the ability to come at the back line from anywhere. The result may feel a little bit different given the injury to Fran Kirby ahead of the half, but the hope is it is not too serious given she was able to limp off the pitch under her own power.

The convincing triumph sets up a date with Jonas Eidevall and the Gunners following their scrappy 1-0 win over Manchester City in the other semifinal. CFC will now take on Arsenal three more times this season including back to back games in both the FA Cup and now the Conti Cup final. It is time to finish the job this time.

Winning is not easy, but the consistency this group is able to produce each season when it matters the most is something everyone should take a chance to appreciate. From Guro Reiten’s magical left boot to Kirby’s spectacular finish, this game had everything. Here are the takeaways from one of the Blues most impressive wins of the season to date:

A complete 90-minute shift for Chelsea was vital

Lulls in matches, and giving up uncharacteristic goals has been a theme for CFC as of late. Against the Irons with the chance to book a trip to a cup final, the Blues put it all together. There was no last five minute goal from the opposition. The group stood tall in the back, and remained dangerous going forward from start to finish. Four goals in the first half, and three in the second 45 minutes really show how balanced of a display it was from start to finish.

It was not just the amount of goals, it was the quality of them. Reiten’s precise pass to Kerr got things going, but the second goal was brilliant link-up play between James and Kirby that had to be the best of the seven on Thursday night. Given the way CFC was pressing the Irons’ defense, the Blues could have had six at the end of 45 minutes if it was not for Mackenzie Arnold’s interventions. Erin Cuthbert’s pressing led to Kerr’s sublime finish to collect the third goal of a historic night for the Blues.

Relentlessness is key, especially with the gap in the WSL getting smaller by the year. Given the way CFC performed as a whole at Chigwell Construction Stadium, it may not be the best ideal time for an international break. There was no 3-1 lead where the Blues could get comfortable with. There was also opportunity to give some extended time to Melanie Leupolz, and younger players like Alsu Abdullina. Everyone coming off the bench kept the same focused mentality as the player they came on for, preventing the Blues from conceding an unnecessary goal down the stretch.

Around this time of year, CFC begins to put all the pieces together. Hayes’ side knows that some of the most important games of the season are on tap next, and this looks to be just the beginning of potentially many complete performances going forward.

Fran Kirby’s poor injury luck comes back to bite

Given the way the English international had been playing, an injury was the last thing she needed. Kirby was one of five CFC players to be called into Sarina Wiegman’s side for the Arnold Clark Cup that begins on February 16. After leaving the game early, it looks like she will not be able to compete for her national team. The only hope is that this is not another long-term injury for a player that has been through her fair share of struggles off the field since she joined CFC from Reading.

From being diagnosed with pericarditis in 2019 to suffering with fatigue, and mental health, Kirby cannot catch a break with her health. The Blues are more than capable, especially this season to overcome an injury to a star player like Kirby, but it is evident how much she is able to affect the game at the No. 10 position with her vision and quality in front of the net. Kirby has fought back from all of it, but what is going to happen if this ends up being something that puts her out an extended period of time?

There is only so much someone can take. Kirby has only played 1,000 or more minutes on the pitch twice for the west Londoners since 2017. She started in just two WSL contests in the 2019-2020 campaign, and nine last season. For CFC fans, it without question put a dent into the result with how much the entire club adores a Kirby for what she has done since her moved to the west London outfit. The worst part about the injury was that is was non-contact.

Kirby was simply running after a through ball, before pulling back as she began to limp around the field to get checked out by the medical staff. There is no rush to come back, but it was quite a somber scene watching Kirby limp off the field after the game she had up to that point.

Not the right time for a hiatus with Sam Kerr’s current goal-scoring form

There are not enough adjectives in the English dictionary to describe how hot Sam Kerr is right now in front of goal. The Australian has 10 goals over the last five games in all competitions, accumulating a hat-trick in two out of the last three contests. Khadija “Bunny” Shaw may lead the WSL in goals with 10, but so far this season, Kerr has doubled that total in all competitions, eclipsing the 20 goal mark by February. Her consistency is simply incredible. There is no let up in her goal-scoring form. No down year. Just clinical finishing, and clutch displays for Chels’ when they need her the most.

Many doubted her in the beginning of the season with the struggles should went through, but there has been no striker around the world hotter than Kerr at the moment. Two with head, and two with her right foot. Kerr put on a clinic to the football world on how to finish. Hopefully Graham Potter, and the Chelsea men were watching ahead of their games against West Ham on Saturday.

The Czech Republic, Spain, and Jamaica do not know who is coming for them as Kerr turns her attention to the Cup of Nations in Australia next week in preparation for the World Cup in July. Last season, Kerr had one game in which she scored a hat trick, but in the 2022/23 campaign, Kerr has already accumulated three including two in which the Australian managed to beat the goalkeeper four times.

Hopefully, Kerr is able to take her form into the Cup of Nations and into two of Chelsea’s most important games so far this season post-international break. What is for sure is that when the lights are the brightest, Kerr is at her best. That was abundantly clear under the lights in east London on Thursday night.