Chelsea 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion: Champions continue fine start to WSL campaign

Women’s Super League champions Chelsea continued their fine start to the campaign with victory over Brighton at Kingsmeadow.

Sam Kerr headed Fran Kirby’s lofted ball over Megan Walsh to double the Blues’ lead late in the first half.

Danielle Carter pulled one back for Brighton early in the second half, but Bethany England completed the scoring.

Emma Hayes’ team suffered their only league defeat of last season in the corresponding fixture, but they swarmed all over Brighton from kick-off and should have broken the deadlock before Reiten’s early opener.

Pernille Harder headed Millie Bright’s delivery wide of the far post and Kerr skewed a shot off target, but Reiten made no mistake moments later to break the deadlock from Kirby’s pass.

Reiten, Kirby and Kerr were a constant threat as the Blues continued to lay siege to the Brighton goal, Reiten shooting straight at Walsh and Kirby nodding wide before the Australia international eventually headed home Chelsea’s second.

Hope Powell’s team came out fighting in the second half and halved the deficit through Carter’s close-range finish – the first home goal Chelsea have conceded in the WSL for eight and a half hours – but Kirby’s third assist of the game set up England to rifle past Walsh and clinch the three points for the hosts.

The win moves Chelsea above second-placed Arsenal on goals scored, with the Gunners playing their game in hand at Aston Villa later on Saturday.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes: “It should have been done and dusted a lot sooner. We had a lot of good transition moments in the first half but I thought it was a good performance.

“The team created good chances but I just don’t think we executed them, especially in the transitions. I thought it was a wonderful performance from Guro Reiten – she was exceptional today.

“I’m especially pleased for Beth [England]. That will do her confidence the world of good.”