I’ll call it a day there. A solid Saturday night out for Chelsea, any concerns at half-time quickly wiped out by the mastery of Lauren James and an instinctive finish from Fran Kirby. Rob Smyth will be here tomorrow for more WSL coverage, with Liverpool taking on Arsenal, so don’t go too far. Thanks for reading!
Emma Hayes has her say: “I said to them at half-time, we got to show a little more urgency. It’s one thing to be in control but we had to have more intent in the final third.
“I told Ramírez when she come into the game, ‘There’s the goal, there’s the fans, welcome to Chelsea’. She’s so strong, I think she’s going to cause defences all sorts of problems in this league.”
Lauren James is the Player of the Match and is succinct in explaining her first goal, perhaps not completely aware of how majestic that finish was. “The ball came in and I just thought ‘hit it’.”
Niamh Charles is with her. “We said at half-time we hadn’t scored yet but we were creating good chances … To see her [James] do it every game, it’s amazing, we know if we feed her she’s going to score, we’re very lucky to have her.
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FULL-TIME: Brighton 0-3 Chelsea
Chelsea get a late free-kick, with Reiten launching it into the box – it’s cleared and there goes the whistle. After a goalless first half, Chelsea really turned it on in the first 15 of the second: James hit a brace, Kirby landed a header, Chelsea are six points clear.
90+3 min: Terrific from Beever-Jones who picks the ball up outside the box, turns and dribbles inside, getting away a shot with her left foot – but Baggaley is in the way once again.
90+2 min: The corner is dangerous and allowed to bounce in the box, but runs out for a goal kick.
90 min: We’ve got seven minutes of added time here as Charles finds the ball out on the left and squeezes a dangerous ball across goal … it’s bundled out for a corner.
89 min: Björn commits a foul and Brighton have a free-kick out on the right, but the cross into the mix is dealt with once again. That backline of Périsset, Carter, Björn and Charles has been very solid tonight.
87 min: Chelsea work it nicely to the right: Reiten to Kirby to Beever-Jones, who can’t fire the ball past Baggaley.
85 min: Kirby turns it on, launching a mazy dribble through the middle before playing the perfect pass to Reiten on the left which screams for a first-time hit – but it’s straight at Baggaley, who pulls off a very good save. That should’ve been four.
82 min: Chelsea are playing keep-ball at the moment, waiting for the final whistle that will send them six points clear at the top.
81 min: Zigiotti is fouled by Beever-Jones, and Brighton have a free-kick out on the left. Sarri hits a fine ball into the box, but the defensive header is equal to it.
78 min: Terland launches a shot from outside the box – but it’s high and long.
76 min: Terrific from Ramírez, who receives the ball in the D, turns the centre-half inside-out and launches a strong effort – but it’s straight at Baggaley.
74 min: Zigiotti turns and drives through the middle for Brighton, who aren’t lacking in intensity despite the scoreline – but she can’t thread the perfect through-ball into the box.
73 min: Kullberg drives into the Chelsea box but is blocked off as the ball runs out for a goal kick.
72 min: Chelsea patiently work it around outside the box, with Ramírez already looking the part with her back to goal. She then tries to run in behind the Brighton defence but is signalled offside.
70 min: Terland, who’s not been seen much today, goes down in her half to win a free-kick. A tough gig for her against this Chelsea side, who are running the show now.
68 min: Ramírez makes her mark quickly, playing a nice through ball before Reiten fires in a shot with her left foot.
67 min: James won’t get three tonight – she’s off for Mayra Ramírez, on for her debut. Beever-Jones replaces Rytting Kaneryd.
64 min: Rytting Kaneryd drives into the middle from the right-hand side as Chelsea begin to show off their strut. It’s eventually cut out, but there’s plenty of space opening up for Chelsea in attack now.
62 min: Brighton have a corner, but nothing comes of it.
61 min: That song request from Laura during the break – cursed stuff.
GOAL! Brighton 0-3 Chelsea (James 59)
Carnage! A Brighton header sees the ball drop kindly for James near the edge of the box, and she’s clinical, sweeping the ball into the net with a swing of her right foot this time. That’s her 50th goal in club football say the TV graphics, and she’s on for her second hat-trick in the space of a week.
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57 min: James picks up the ball on the left, but is forced into working it back, Brighton doubling-up on her. Chelsea work it around for a bit in defence to restore a bit of calm.
56 min: Brighton have made a raft of changes, so many that I’ll simply have to refer you to a team-sheet to acknowledge them.
52 min: This game is absolute chaos suddenly, with Brighton rattling the post. Just let me breathe a bit, folks, and type too if that’s alright. It’s Bremer who hit it from the right with a cross/shot, Hampton completely beaten but the framework getting in the way.
GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Chelsea (Kirby 51)
And another one! A corner comes in, the first header is a Brighton one but it goes to Leupolz, pulling off at the back post, and she finds Kirby in front of goal, who channels the ball into the net to complete the game of head volley.
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GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Chelsea (James 46)
We’re back underway – and there’s an early goal! Just brilliant from the in-form forward. Charles whips in a ball from the left, and James swivels in the box, swinging her left foot after one bounce to guide the ball into the top left corner.
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Finally, a song request. Laura perhaps revealing her allegiances here after a decent first half for the hosts.
HALF-TIME: Brighton 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea have had their chances, but Brighton have made sure they haven’t been too clearcut. The hosts will be pleased with their efforts so far, but the visitors have still shown moments of brilliance that could turn into something more substantial in the upcoming 45. That left-hand side combo of Charles, Reiten and Kirby has caused quite a few problems for Brighton.
45+1 min: Reiten’s inswinging corner is pushed out by Baggaley for another corner.
45 min: James’ shot is deflected out for a corner.
44 min: Brighton launch a counterattack, with Sarri playing a one-two before hitting one from outside the box – Cuthbert pulls off a fine block to deflect the shot into the hands of Hampton.
43 min: Chelsea break forward on the left once again, with Reiten cutting back for James on the edge of the box – but Losada is back for Brighton to nick the ball.
39 min: Best chance of the half. Charles plays in Reiten for a cross from the left, and Kirby, rushing and stretching forward, gets her right foot at the end of a powerful ball across goal – but sends it wide. She was right in front of the net but couldn’t control her effort.
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38 min: Cuthbert plays a lovely ball to find James on the right, but she can’t win the one-on-one with Thorisdóttir, who’s able to see it out for a goal kick. A good duel, that.
37 min: Périsset plays a tidy inside pass to Kirby, who picks it up in midfield and switches it nicely to Charles out on the left. But Brighton retreat quickly to find their shape and push Chelsea back.
35 min: A brief lull in proceedings as Brighton work it around at the back but lose it quickly when trying to push forward.
32 min: James hits a teasing ball into the box from the right, and Charles advances from deep to try and smash it in, but Kullberg does enough to put off the Chelsea left-back. A corner comes in, ending with a Charles header that goes wide. Chelsea continue to press for an opener.
30 min: Charles, Kirby and Reiten are having quite a bit of fun out there on the left-hand side for Chelsea. Sarri launches a desperate attempt for Brighton from range that goes wide of the right post.
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29 min: Charles whips in a good-looking cross from the left, but a solid Brighton header meets it.
27 min: Chelsea are just starting to look the part – Reiten keeps popping up in dangerous positions.
26 min: Carter launches a terrific long ball to find Kirby on the left, who works it around before finding the ball again in the box to cut back for Reiten, who drags her shot wide. Lovely play from Chelsea, just lacking the finish.
24 min: Leupolz flicks on with her head at the near post but there’s no Chelsea shirt on the end of it to finish the move.
24 min: Pinto does a silly foul in midfield and a corner is the result of a free-kick into the Brighton box.
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22 min: Cuthbert plays a delightful pass into the left channel to the advancing Charles, but Brighton force Chelsea to play the ball back and move it to the right-hand side. Brighton are holding things together pretty well at the moment.
20 min: James does brilliantly to thunder down the right wing, fighting off Thorisdóttir, before the No 10 then tries to curl the ball into the top corner with her left foot. It goes straight into the hands of Baggaley, though.
18 min: James perfectly cushions a high ball in her own half to bring it down and recycle the ball to her defence. Just a little touch of class to enjoy.
15 min: Bremer is down in midfield after Björn smashes the ball into the Brighton player’s face. Ouch. A replay of Reiten’s shot shows that it was from a pretty tight angle, and Baggaley probably had it covered at the near post.
13 min: The ball rattles the Brighton post! Reiten picks up the ball on the left-hand side of the box and launches a fine effort and is just inches away from a special goal.
12 min: Losada intercepts in midfield after Brighton press up high to win the ball, but she chooses to pass into the box instead of shooting, and the danger is snuffed out.
11 min: Thorisdóttir does very well to cut off Erin Cuthbert’s hoof down the right wing.
9 min: Cuthbert picks up a loose ball and fires in a cross into the Brighton box, but it’s dealt with, and then it’s the hosts’ turn to attack with Sarri dribbling through, into the left channel, before a cross is fired into the Chelsea box. The game has started to open up, just a touch.
7 min: Bremer crosses from the right to find Pinto, on the edge of the box, but Chelsea’s backline deal with the trouble.
6 min: Chelsea work it nicely from left to right, but Rytting Kaneryd is brushed aside on the touchline, with Brighton winning a throw.
5 min: Kirby runs in behind after a long ball from the back – but Baggaley reads it early in the Brighton goal and rushes out to clear.
4 min: All rather stodgy so far, with no one able to get the ball on the ground and start playin’ it.
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3 min: The cameras focus in on Hannah Hampton, who looks as if she’s establishing herself as Chelsea’s first-choice keeper.
1 min: Brighton attack down the right-hand side but Bremer tumbles awkwardly – she’s up and about though, so all good.
Peep!
The players take the knee and kick off. Here we go!
Right then, the teams are walking out. Get your snacks and hot drink sorted.
Karen Carney is in the Sky studio talking up the two attacking centrepieces in this game: Elisabeth Terland and Lauren James. Carney says she’ll be surprised if the former is still a Brighton player next year – just a reminder that the centre-forward has nine WSL goals this season. Only James (10) and Khadija Shaw (12) have more.
Elsewhere in the WSL, Arsenal meet Liverpool on Sunday, with the Gunners manager Jonas Eidevall taking off his helmet and raising his bat to the crowd.
On the bench for Chelsea is Mayra Ramírez, who broke the British record transfer fee the other day. She’s already into the squad, with the club needing to act after Sam Kerr’s ACL injury.
Mayra’s here. 😁💙#CFCW pic.twitter.com/rfNVFhhElx
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 27, 2024
The teams
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 Here's our starting XI to take on @ChelseaFCW this evening in the @BarclaysWSL! 💫
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) January 27, 2024
📲 https://t.co/1JRqX8gtVj // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/jlafjvgrBB
Your Blues go face Brighton this evening! 💪#CFCW pic.twitter.com/bzazUihY8k
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 27, 2024
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Preamble
Hello, hello, hello and welcome to coverage of Chelsea’s trip down to face Brighton. The league leaders have had a more than decent week at Stamford Bridge: a 3-1 win over Manchester United – thanks to a Lauren James hat-trick – followed by a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. All rather tidy, and now they’ve got a chance to go six points clear.
Brighton have quite a bit to be cheery about, too. Three games so far this year have resulted in wins across three comps, with their last WSL game a 3-2 defeat of Bristol City, Elisabeth Terland’s 95th-minute winner doing the job. Terland, the 22-year-old Norwegian international, is responsible for nine of Brighton’s 13 goals this WSL campaign – yep, she’s rather important, the one to look out for if we’re going to have an upset.
I’ll be with you all the way. If you’ve got any thoughts/queries/views on the Oscar noms/corrections/deepest, darkest secrets you’d like to share, please get in touch. Kick-off’s at 5.30pm at Broadfield Stadium.
