Defending champions Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Women's Super League with an easy win over Brighton.
Chelsea's ruthlessness secured all three points at Broadfield Stadium as Lauren James scored twice in the second half, sandwiching a goal from Fran Kirby.
The victory puts them six points ahead of rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, who play away on Sunday.
James is currently joint-top scorer in the WSL with 12 goals in 11 games.
Chelsea missed several chances in the first half, but England forward James took the lead with a powerful opener from Niamh Charles' cross within the first minute.
Then, after Melanie Leupolz's deflected corner kick was pushed in by Kirby, she capitalized on a missed clearance with her header to score her second.
“I'm sure no one told me. [James] That's what Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said. She said, “None of us can teach her the talent that she has.
“She is decisive in the box and she showed that today too, at the right time, at the right time.”
Brighton's fans were encouraged at half-time and applauded the dismissal of a strong defensive side, but Chelsea's quality ultimately exploded on the night. Mayra Ramirez holds the British record I'm here for her debut.
Chelsea improve their quality in the second half
Brighton got off to a good start at Crawley, putting pressure on Chelsea by coming from the back, but riding on a bit of luck they kept the champions at bay in the opening 45 minutes.
Chelsea intensified their intensity in the second half, exploiting a lack of concentration and mercifully halting the game less than an hour into the game.
“We were in control [in the first half] But there was a little bit of a lack of urgency,” Hayes said.
“We created some good chances, we didn't gear up and we did enough to take the lead under control. That's what I said to the players at half-time: Respect the WSL game. “That was unexpected.” Completed in less than 53 seconds.
“I really enjoyed it today. I was under control. It looked like something I always worked on. I thought it was a confident performance.”
This was another example of Chelsea's ability to manage the game and step up a gear when necessary, while Brighton did little to trouble Chelsea, despite their encouraging moments.
Chelsea's Guro Leiten was also heavily involved in the game, with his first-half shot hitting the crossbar by Sophie Baggaley, but his shot was later saved from close range.
Leiten also poked Kirby's cutback wide, but Kirby sent a decent shot over the bar.
Brighton's Pauline Bremer almost scored in the second half from a cross that hit the crossbar, but on a comfortable night for Chelsea, who had given Ramirez a taste of the WSL after international visa delays, the hosts had no chance. There were hardly any.
Brighton manager Melissa Phillips said: “It was a disappointing result but considering those 15 minutes it was a really positive performance.”
“We were very organized and played tenacious defense in the first half. Lauren James is world class and is at her best right now.
“You kind of take your hat off to her. She just opened up the game for them. At the end of the day, when we conceded a goal in the first few minutes, [of the second half], you will find it difficult. ”
lineup
brighton women
formation 4-3-3
- 32buggery
- 16Kullberg
- FiveBergswand
- 2trissdottir
- 3pattinson
- 6LosadaReplacementsimmonsin 54 minutesminutes
- TenOrme
- 17Ferreira PintoReplacementLeein 55 minutesminutes
- 8bremerReplacementrobinsonin 54 minutesminutes
- 11TallandReplacementdentin 89 minutesminutes
- 7Sarri
substitute
- 9Lee
- 14Color variations
- 18simmons
- twenty tworobinson
- 26Lee
- 28Wreck
- 40to start
- 44McEwan
- 45dent
chelsea women
formation 4-2-3-1
- twenty fourhampton
- 15pelisse
- 7carter
- 39Bjorn
- twenty onecharles
- twenty twocuthbertReplacementInglein 79 minutesminutes
- 8leupolzReplacementNuskenin 79 minutesminutes
- 19Ritting KanereedReplacementbeaver jonesin 67 minutesminutes
- 14Kirby
- 11Reiten
- TenjamesReplacementRamirezin 67 minutesminutes
substitute
- 1musovic
- 2fishel
- FiveIngle
- 6Nusken
- 12Lawrence
- 18mujerde
- 26buchanan
- 33beaver jones
- 35Ramirez
- Referee:
- amy farns
- Attendance:
- 4,549
live text
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Game over, Brighton & Hove Albion Women 0, Chelsea Women 3.
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End of the second half, Brighton & Hove Albion Women 0, Chelsea Women 3.
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Mayra Ramirez (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Gro Bergswand (Brighton & Hove Albion Women).
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Natalie Bjorn (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Geum-min Lee (Brighton & Hove Albion Women).
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Attempt saved. Agnes Beaver-Jones (Chelsea Women) took a left-footed shot from the left of the box that was saved in the top left corner. Supported by Natalie Bjorn.
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Corner, Chelsea Women. Poppy Pattinson loses a point.
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Substitute, Brighton & Hove Albion Women. Lily Dent replaces Elizabeth Talland.
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Foul on Natalie Bjorn (Chelsea Women).
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Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick on the right.
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Attempt saved. Agnes Beaver-Jones (Chelsea Women) fired a right-footed shot from the right side of the box that was saved in the bottom left corner. Supported by Fran Kirby.
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Attempt saved. Guro Leiten (Chelsea Ladies) took a left-footed shot from the center of the box, but it was saved in the center of the goal. Supported by Fran Kirby.
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I'm late. They are ready to continue.
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Elizabeth Talland (Brighton & Hove Albion Women) was late for the match due to injury.
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Foul by Schake Nüsken (Chelsea Women).
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Lee Geum-min (Brighton & Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick in the defence.
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Foul by Agnes Beaver-Jones (Chelsea Women).
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Julia Olme (Brighton & Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Substitution, Chelsea Women. Sophie Ingle will replace Erin Cuthbert.