Chelsea FCW 9-0 Bristol City WFC, WSL: Post-match reaction

WHAT A PERFORMANCE!

The Blues entered Sunday’s matchup with Bristol City WFC as heavy favorites and showed our dominance throughout in a 9(!)-0 victory. Nearly the entire match was played in the attacking half as Bristol City didn’t attempt a shot until the 81st minute. The Blues led 5-0 at the break and kept our foot on the accelerator, nearly winning the match by double digits.

• A few changes to the starting XI for Chelsea as Ann Katrin Berger returned to goal and Erin Cuthbert and Bethany England make their way into the lineup.
• The Blues start Kerr and England together for the first time this year and were rewarded with fine performances from both. England picked up her first goal of the season to go along with one for Kerr.
• The attacking stats for the Blues were something to behold: 9 goals; 9 different goal scorers; 7 goals from open play; 30+ attempts

• Chelsea looked particularly dangerous from set pieces, scoring several goals and threatening nearly every time. Melanie Leupolz scored with a gorgeous header across goal, setup by an Erin Cuthbert free kick.

• Speaking of Erin Cuthbert, she deserves a shout for her relentless energy and toughness. Even up nine goals late in the match, she was all over the pitch pressuring Bristol City players.
• Sam Kerr’s early season finishing “woes” have been much talked about, so it was nice to see her get her second goal, to go along with her overall fantastic team play.
• The scoreline could have easily been even more lopsided. Bristol goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley made an early error on Fran Kirby’s goal, but made several other impressive saves (particularly a double save on Bright and Leupolz) to keep it from being even worse.
• First Chelsea goals for both Pernille Harder and Niamh Charles. Harder didn’t come on until the match was 6-0 but scored and set up goals for both Charles and Kerr. Charles’ goal was with her first touch of the match.

• Chelsea’s backline didn’t have a lot to do, but pressed high and did well to keep the Robins from having an outlet. Millie Bright also contributed to the scoring with a free header from six yards off Mjelde spot kick.
• Five second half substitutions for the Blues: Niamh Charles and Pernille Harder came on for Beth England and Melanie Leupolz before Mjelde was replaced for Thorisdottir. A late double-change saw Ji So-yun and Fran Kirby depart in favor of Drew Spence and Jessie Fleming.
• The list could go ON and ON, so tell me, what was YOUR favorite moment of the match?
• Next up: Many of Chelsea’s players will represent their nations in the upcoming international break, before returning to WSL action on Sunday, October 4 against Birmingham City.
• KTBFFH!