Blues Women fall to Chelsea defeat

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WBA

(A)

20 D

02 H

12 M

16 S

Blues Women fall to Chelsea defeat

Match Report: Chelsea Women 2 - 0 Birmingham City Women

2026-09-19T15:00+01:00

Birmingham City Women fell to a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Lexi Potter opened the scoring inside seven minutes, before substitute Melvine Malard doubled the hosts’ advantage in the second half.

Blues grew into the contest and created opportunities after the break, with Asato Miyagawa going close to an equaliser shortly before Chelsea’s second, but Amy Merricks’ side were unable to find a way back into the game.

Blues weathered an early storm as Chelsea dominated possession in the opening stages.

The hosts struck first after seven minutes. Alyssa Thompson’s initial effort was well saved by Sophie Baggaley, but the ball fell kindly to Lexi Potter, who finished to give Chelsea an early lead.

Baggaley was called into action again on 16 minutes. After what appeared to be a foul throw by Chelsea, Thompson raced through on goal, but the Blues goalkeeper put her body on the line to deny the hosts.

Blues’ first opportunity arrived a minute later. Océane Hurtré’s free-kick was aimed towards Marie Levasseur and Millie Turner at the back post, but Chelsea dealt with the danger.

Merricks’ side began to play with greater intent as the half progressed, settling into the contest and looking to play forward. Hurtré continued to cause problems down the left, while Asato Miyagawa and Lisa Naalsund worked hard in midfield to retain possession against a relentless Chelsea side.

With ten minutes remaining in the half, Chelsea were denied by the woodwork. Thompson drove down the right before finding Sjoeke Nüsken in the box, whose header struck the post. The assistant referee’s flag was subsequently raised for offside.

In the closing minutes of the half, Blues continued to battle for possession in midfield. Naalsund released Hurtré down the left and the French forward took her shot early, but Hannah Hampton gathered comfortably.

Chelsea came out firing after the restart, with Thompson breaking forward on 51 minutes before Neve Herron threw herself in the way to block her effort.

There was further brave defending from Baggaley and Herron just minutes later. A communication error saw Blues surrender possession deep inside their own half and Chelsea pounced, with Thompson driving through one-on-one. Herron recovered well to make a last-ditch challenge as Thompson collided with the onrushing Baggaley, with both Blues players putting their bodies on the line to keep the hosts out.

Fresh from the bench, Suzu Amano made an immediate impact. Found by fellow Japan international Miyagawa, the midfielder took a touch on the turn inside the box before firing over the crossbar, showing Blues’ attacking intent with one of her first involvements.

Blues then went close to an equaliser through Miyagawa. Hurtré’s ball into the area found the midfielder in space and her effort beat Hampton, but rolled narrowly wide of the left post.

Chelsea doubled their advantage on 71 minutes, breaking quickly at the other end following Miyagawa’s opportunity before Melvine Malard finished to make it 2-0.

Blues continued to work hard in search of a route back into the contest, but Chelsea stood firm to secure the points at Stamford Bridge.

Next up, Blues travel to Goodison Park to face Everton as they begin their Subway Players Cup campaign on Wednesday night.

Chelsea: Hannah Hampton (GK), Ellie Carpenter, Veerle Buurman, Sjoeke Nüsken (Dragoni, 87), Sandy Baltimore (Malard, 64), Alyssa Thompson (McCabe, 87), Wieke Kaptein (Hamano, 73), Keira Walsh, Lucy Bronze (C), Kadeisha Buchanan (Björn, 87), Lexi Potter.

Subs not used: Livia Peng (GK), Naomi Girma, Nelly Lasova, Victoria Rudz.

Blues: Sophie Baggaley (GK), Marie Levasseur, Lee Geum-Min (Amano, 66), Lisa Naalsund, Wilma Leidhammar (Effa Effa, 77), Lily Crosthwaite (Sarri, 77), Rebecca McKenna, Millie Turner (C), Océane Hurtré, Asato Miyagawa, Neve Herron (Cooke, 77).

Subs not used: Lucy Thomas (GK), Martha Harris, Jade Rastocle, Rebecca Holloway, Chelsea Cornet.

Post-match reaction: Chelsea Women 2-0 Birmingham City Women