Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-0 in the WSL on Sunday after breaking down the visitors stubborn early resistance.
Goals from Sjoeke Nüsken and Lauren James ensured Sonia Bompastor’s side secured their second win in as many weeks. Chelsea and Liverpool had faced each other twice already this season both times at St Helens Stadium. One was a creditable 1-1 draw for the Reds, the other, a 9-1 demolition job in the Subway Women’s League Cup.
Chelsea only dropped two points at home in the Barclays Women’s Super League all season last term but they came into this one having already lost twice at home in the league this season. Sonia Bompastor confirmed pre-match that the Blues would be missing Millie Bright after she picked up a knock last week. That was the only change Chelsea made to the side that won 2-0 at Spurs last weekend with Sandy Baltimore starting in her place. That meant Veerle Buurman moved to centre back with Baltimore back out at left back. Erin Cuthbert had the armband in the absence of Bright, the same week she was named Scotland vice captain. Mayra Ramirez and Kadeisha Buchanan also continued to be absent from the match day squad. Lucy Bronze was also fit enough to return to the bench to face Liverpool.
Despite their recent upturn in fortunes, Liverpool travelled to Kingsmeadow with the worst away record in the league. Gareth Taylor’s side had picked up just one point from their seven matches on the road this term. Liverpool made one changes from the side that emphatically defeated Aston Villa 4-1 last weekend. Alice Bergstrom came into the starting eleven with Mia Enderby dropping to the bench.
The Lineups
CHE: Hampton; Carpenter, Girma, Buurman, Baltimore; Cuthbert, Walsh, Nüsken, Kaneryd; James, Thompson
LIV: Falk; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Bernabé, Bergstrom; Nagano, O’Sullivan; Kapocs, Holland, Thomas
The Action
On a rainy afternoon in West London it was Liverpool who had the ball in the back of the net first. Alice Bergstrom started the move with an excellent cross field ball which found former Blue Alejandra Bernabé whose wicked cross just evaded Martha Thomas but found Bergstrom lurking at the back post. Bergstrom controlled the ball against her hand before she finished past Hannah Hampton excellently but the referee blew for a handball. And the scores remained level.
Ceri Holland stung the palms of Hampton minutes later as Liverpool looked the side playing with confidence in the early moments. Chelsea were struggling to make an impact in the match and assert their usual control over proceedings. The Reds were pressing high refusing to allow Chelsea comfort on the ball all over the pitch.
As the first half developed Chelsea were beginning to find some gaps on the left side with Alyssa Thompson, Sandy Baltimore and Lauren James combining. Erin Cuthbert almost set Johanna Rytting Kaneryd clean through on goal but for an excellent interception from Jenna Clark on the edge of the box. On the right side, Ellie Carpenter sped through with 10 minutes to play in the half, while Risa Shimizu did well to recover, Carpenter was able to play it to the edge of the box. Cuthbert’s clipped ball into the box fell to Lauren James. James with her typical attacking brilliance, inventively directed the ball towards the far corner but it just bounced beyond the post. Chelsea came close again when Cuthbert’s deflected effort rolled wide, the home side were ramping up.
Chelsea had found a determination missing from the previous 35 minutes as the half wound down. It was Sjoeke Nüsken who would break the deadlock just pipping Jennifer Falk at the near post. It had been a brilliant cross from Lauren James to find Nüsken who left Bergstrom on the floor after an great flicker of skill.
Liverpool had the first effort in anger of the second half when Martha Thomas fired her effort right down the throat of Hampton. Chelsea’s Kaneryd worked the ball brilliantly past her marker to create an opportunity for James whose volleyed effort just missed the mark.
The Blues delighted the Kingsmeadow faithful to double their lead. It was James who found her way to the edge of the box with 25 minutes remaining, bearing down on goal she fired the ball past Falk. Chelsea had their second. Liverpool showed moments of attacking invention to try to bite back before the end of the match. Aurélie Csillag who introduced off the bench found Holland in the box but leaning back the Welsh winger could only fire the ball over the bar.
James, once again at the heart of things created a golden chance for Ellie Carpenter at the back post as the minutes ticked down. The Australian, pushing high and creating an overlap found the target but scuffed her effort leaving Falk to make a comfortable save.
Chelsea Player Ratings
GK: Hannah Hampton – 8/10 – Made an excellent early save to deny Holland when Chelsea started slowly. Her distribution was brilliant today with 13 accurate long balls out of 20.
RB: Ellie Carpenter – 7/10 – When Chelsea began to make real progress in the second half they did so with the help of her pace in behind.
RCB: Naomi Girma – 7/10 – Did well after Liverpool put the pressure on with their press, Girma had the most touches of any player on the pitch. Won the joint most tackles in the match.
LCB: Veerle Buurman – 7.5/10 – Seemed frustrated early on with a number of lazy challenges early on. Was moved to the left side after the first half when Baltimore was subbed off and assisted James’ goal from that side. Won all of her aerial duels, three out of three.
LB: Sandy Baltimore – 6.5/10 – Baltimore got in good positions but her final delivery was lacking today, hooked at half time.
CM: Erin Cuthbert – 6.5/10 – An understated performance from the midfielder, a couple of things just didn’t quite come off for her in attack.
CM: Keira Walsh – 7.5/10 – This season it has become clear how important Keira Walsh is to this team, helped get them ticking today.
CAM: Sjoeke Nüsken – 7.5/10 – Scored her first goal of the WSL season at a vital time for her team, she ensured the tide was turned.
RW: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd – 6.5/10 – Always provides an option with pace in behind, does not always make the most of it when she gets in behind mind.
LW: Alyssa Thompson – 6.5/10 – Always a willing runner in behind the Liverpool defence, did not have as much influence in this one as she is used to exerting.
ST: Lauren James – 8.5/10 – Unlocked the Liverpool defence with a magnificent cross and scored an excellent goal to double the lead. Chelsea have missed her.
SUBS
Lucy Bronze (46′ Baltimore) – 7/10 – Chelsea looked more comfortable with Bronze on the pitch, a leader.
Sam Kerr (66′ Kaneryd) – 6.5/10 – Gave Chelsea a focal point after being introduced, had a couple of chances and probably should have scored.
Lexi Potter (74′ Walsh) – 6/10 – Still finding her feet in this Chelsea team, more time on the pitch will help.
Aggie Beever-Jones (83′ Thompson) – 7/10 – Did not have a huge amount of time to effect the outcome but worked hard in the time she had.
Wieke Kaptein (83′ Nüsken) – 6/10 – Got some important minutes in the legs, held up the ball well when needed.
Liverpool Player Ratings
GK: Jennifer Falk – 7/10 – Made a number of smart early gathers in the wet conditions, long ball distribution was positive.
RB: Risa Shimizu – 6/10 – Struggled at times dealing with Chelsea’s attacking invention.
RCB: Jenna Clark – 7/10 – Cool under pressure. Made a goal saving interception in the first half to deny Kaneryd a run clean through on goal.
LCB: Grace Fisk – 7.5/10 – Made the most defensive actions of any player on the pitch. Won all four of her aerial duels.
LB: Alejandra Bernabé – 6.5/10 – Returning to face her former club put a wicked cross into the box early on. She made a number of defensive contributions and made the most tackle but was left for dead by her marker a couple of times.
DM: Fuka Nagano – 8/10 – Liverpool’s Japanese midfielder will be missed when she travels to the Asia Cup, she made three key passes in this one the most of any Liverpool player. Won eight of her eleven duels.
CM: Denise O’Sullivan – 7/10 – Had a few great touches in the middle of the park and pressed so high up the pitch, working hard and showing tremendous energy.
CM: Cornelia Kapocs – 6.5/10 – Kapocs was not hugely involved in this one, played it safe but did what her team needed her to in large part.
RW: Ceri Holland – 7/10 – Had a good early effort, the opening was a just reward for positive direct early running.
LW: Alice Bergstrom – 7/10 – Looked so bright helping move Liverpool up the pitch at every opportunity. Came off at half time after what looked like an injury.
ST: Martha Thomas – 6.5/10 – A nuisance up front for Chelsea to deal with still missing that threat in front of goal.
SUBS
Mia Enderby – (46′ Bergstrom) – 6/10 – She struggled to get involved. after coming on with only 17 touches in the second half.
Aurélie Csillag– (74′ Parry) – 7/10 – Made a difference when introduced and created a good opportunity in the short time she had on the pitch.
Kirsty Maclean – (83′ Kapocs) – 6/10 – Another that struggled to affect the game in her time on the pitch, had only seven touches.
