22 October 2023 , 15:01
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Two goals from Sjoeke Nusken helped Chelsea to an entertaining 4-2 win over Brighton in the WSL.
German Nusken, on only her second Blues start, was the difference after Albion had threatened a shock result in West London with an early goal from Pauline Bremer. Brighton were the only away side to beat Chelsea in their previous 45 WSL home fixtures and looked capable of repeating the feat when Bremer opened the scoring just 10 minutes in after good work from England's Katie Robinson.
The Blues controlled proceedings but were denied an equaliser after multiple saves by stand-in Albion goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley. But Nusken finally got them back in the game, heading home Jess Carter's excellent cross from point blank range. And when Nusken fired home after a swift Chelsea counter attack, the Blues were on their way to a third win of the season.
An own goal from Guro Bergsvand and Aggie Beever Jones added gloss to the scoreline, but Brighton's Elisabeth Terland struck her fourth WSL goal of the campaign to restore some credit for a battling Albion. The win moves Chelsea level on points with Man City at the top of the table.
Here are the talking points from Kingsmeadow.
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Chelsea keep pace with Man City
Chelsea had to win to keep pace with early WSL leaders Man City, who got their weekend assignment out of the way with a hard fought 1-0 win at high-flying Leicester on Saturday. Manager Emma Hayes spoke in her programme notes about the importance of starting quickly, but just before half-time they looked rattled.
Brighton led, while the Blues had missed a host of chances with Albion keeper Baggaley in inspired form. But the hosts showed just why they are reigning league champions with an excellent fightback.
Sjoeke Nuesken makes it 2-1 to ChelseaIt was the finishing of summer signing Nusken that did the trick. After heading home from close range for her first, Nusken produced wonderful composure after an unselfish assist from Sam Kerr, to get Chelsea in front for the first time. She thought she had a hat-trick after a scrappy finish went in off Brighton defender Guro Bergsvand, but it was eventually credited as an own goal.
Brighton start fast
Albion knew they had to make a lightning quick start, with Chelsea having only lost once in their last 38 games when scoring first. And they did exactly that by scoring inside the opening ten minutes to stun Kingsmeadow.
The lively Katie Robinson, who caused the Blues problems throughout , put in an excellent low cross from the right wing. Coming onto it was Pauline Bremer, slotting home perfectly to give Mel Phillips' team a dream start. With the in-form Elisabeth Terland on the bench for Albion, the pressure was Bremer to offer a goal threat and she did so with a smart finish.
Bremer's first goal for the visitors set the tone for a tricky afternoon for Chelsea. Eventually they found a way back into the game, but the Seagulls made life very difficult. Yet another sign of just how competitive the WSL is this season.
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Against the Seagulls she was in from the off and very nearly gave Emma Hayes' side the perfect start. In only the third minute, Kirby's dipping left-footed volley rattled the bar.
The Chelsea No.14 then found herself one-on-one after getting in behind Brighton's backline just before half hour mark, but found her effort saved by the in-form Sophie Baggaley. When Kirby was denied by the bar again after an exquisite one-two with Sam Kerr, it felt like it wasn't her day. But the England star kept plugging away and stole possession to start the move which eventually gave Chelsea their crucial second goal.
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After Zecira Musovic was between the sticks in the win over West Ham last time out, Ann-Katrin Berger was back in for the Blues this time out. The champions are spoilt for choice when it comes to goalkeepers, with Musovic one of the best stoppers at the World Cup this summer.
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She was on the bench, joined by England's Hannah Hampton. On the pitch the experienced Berger proved once again she is a safe pair of hands after suffering an early setback with the Brighton goal.
Her biggest contribution of the afternoon was perhaps the moment the contest turned. Only a few minutes before half-time Bremer found herself free in the Chelsea box and bearing down on goal.
Her effort was brilliantly turned away by the outstretched leg of Berger, who once again came up with a big stop when the Blues really needed one. Had Brighton gone into the break 2-0 up rather than level at 1-1, Chelsea's unbeaten record would have been seriously under threat.
Brighton can take heart thanks to Baggaley brilliance
Although Brighton didn't take any points back to the south coast, they can take real heart from a wholehearted display away to the champions. There is nowhere tougher to come in the WSL than Kingsmeadow when Chelsea are on it.
Yet for a long time Albion looked more than capable of getting a result. Admittedly, goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley did have a huge part to play in that.
Baggaley was only starting in goal as Belgium loanee Nicky Evrard was unable to play against her parent club. But she produced a magnificent first half display making a series of super saves to deny Nusken, Sam Kerr and Lauren James. Eventually she was beaten, but had little chance with any of the goals.
But even after that Brighton continued to threaten. Bremer headed only millimetres wide late on, while Terland's late introduction from the bench gave another dimension to their attack. The depth of Chelsea's squad allowed them to finish off a tiring Albion towards the end, but manager Phillips should be encouraged by a good display.