3 Takeaways from Chelsea Women’s victory over Brighton

After what transpired over the weekend at Selhurst Park, you just knew that Chelsea was going to respond. With seven changes from the lineup against Arsenal, the Blues looked up to the task right from the kick-off. After just 68 days in charge of the east Sussex side, Jens Scheuer stepped down as the Brighton boss, leaving Amy Merricks to assume the temporary role for the second time this season.

With the Seagulls attempting to stabilize themselves as a club, Chelsea used its relentless first half pressure to jump within just one point of the league leaders, Manchester United. Right from the opening whistle, it was clear the Blues were out to right the ship. A combination play between Melanie Leupolz, Jelena Cankovic, and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd forced Merricks’ side to come up with a goal saving stop. From then on in the first 45 minutes, the pressure toward the Seagull backline was consistent.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd scored her first CFCW goal as Sam Kerr’s unselfish play led to the Blues’ third breakthrough of the night.

Playing two matches in four days is not a simple task by all means, but this entire team took that challenge on. The opening goal may have been slightly controversial, but by no means did Chelsea not deserve it. Even after Guro Reiten slotted home the penalty to open the scoring, the Blues kept their foot on the gas pedal, something they did not do three days prior.

In total, Emma Hayes’ side had 15 corners, scoring on one in which Jess Carter struck home with vigor in the 21′. Although, the Seagulls were able to prevent the sort of pressure they experience in the first half in the second 45 minutes, there was not a minute in which CFC was not in control. This result means nothing if the Blues are unable to take down the current league leaders at home on Sunday afternoon. Marc Skinner’s side heads to south west London at the end of the week with an opportunity to place a large dent in CFC’s plans to win the remaining three trophies.

3 takeaways from the Chelsea Women’s first WSL contest at Kingsmeadow this calendar year.