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Chelsea continued to steady the ship as they secured a crucial victory against Liverpool in the Women’s Super League. Lauren James inspired Sonia Bompastor’s side to victory at Kingsmeadow, setting up Sjoeke Nüsken’s opener before making sure of the result with a goal in the second half.
It has been a turbulent month for the Blues, both on and off the pitch. Back-to-back defeats against Arsenal and Manchester City all but ended their title defence and it was announced last week that the club had parted ways with Paul Green, their long-term head of women’s football. The news sent shockwaves through the game. Green had been part of the fabric of Chelsea for the past 13 years, playing an instrumental role in the success that included 19 trophies.
This hard-fought victory against a re-energised Liverpool was much needed respite as Chelsea battle to play Champions League football next season.
“It was a tough week,” Bompastor said. “We are all humans and it hurts when you lose a member of your staff. It was an emotional week for everyone ... I think we did well considering everything that happened. Being able to come here, focus on the game, put in the performance and get the result proved a lot about our character. I am proud of my players and all the members of my staff.”
Asked whether she was happy with the decision not to replace Green, she said: “We have had many conversations with the CEO and the sporting directors. I think we are on board with what we want to do for Chelsea’s future. I felt a lot of support from them since I joined and I feel the support right now. The fact that they were able to extend my contract in the period where the results were a little more difficult shows a lot.
“My main focus is trying to perform at our best level and try and give clarity to the players for them to perform at their best. Getting good results helps a lot.”
Chelsea had to remain patient against a buoyant Liverpool side who travelled to Kingsmeadow on the back of a big win against Aston Villa. Gareth Taylor made just one change from that success, bringing in the more defensive-minded Alice Bergström for Mia Enderby.
Bompastor equally made one change to the Chelsea team who had beaten Tottenham last weekend. An injury to the captain, Millie Bright, forced the manager into switching her backline around, bringing Sandy Baltimore in at left-back.
The hosts had to weather early pressure as Liverpool started the better. Positive in and out of possession, Taylor’s side saw an early goal from Bergström disallowed for handball while the tireless Ceri Holland tested Hannah Hampton.
Chelsea struggled to gain momentum. Despite having more of the ball, they were careless with it, disrupted by Liverpool’s high press, and lacked movement in the box. Veerle Buurman and Naomi Girma had efforts blocked while Erin Cuthbert was denied a goal thanks to superb defending by Alejandra Bernabé, but clearcut chances were hard to come by.
That was, however, until James sparked into life. It has been a frustrating season for the 24-year-old, making only six starts to date because of injury, but when fit she remains one of the best in the league. She was instrumental in Chelsea taking the lead just before the break, losing her defender before floating in a pinpoint cross that picked out the run of Nüsken at the near post.
Liverpool then produced a series of chances. Cornelia Kapocs sent a shot just wide while Martha Thomas had two big opportunities that came and went.
Just as the visitors looked like they were going to find a way back into the game, James stuck with one of her trademark moves. With 25 minutes left to play, she cut inside before unleashing a curling right-footed shot that gave Jennifer Falk no chance. She wheeled away to celebrate with her fingers in her ears, a clear signal about shutting out the noise.
It was a strike that took the sting out of Liverpool’s defences and they failed to mount a challenge in the closing stages. Chelsea, meanwhile, could breathe a sigh of relief having navigated a difficult situation to remain third in the table. Focus now turns to a difficult tie against Manchester United in the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup next weekend.
