WHAT HAPPENED
Despite a strong performance, our perfect start to the season came to an end at Kingsmeadow as Chelsea came from a goal down to claim all three points.
Fran Kirby had the first chance of the match when she collected the ball behind our backline and tested Manuela Zinsberger, who was quick off her line.
We then took the lead moments later when Vivianne Miedema found space, drove towards goal and slid Danielle van de Donk into the box and she made no mistake in slotting past Ann-Katrin Berger.
The hosts came close to an equaliser midway through the first half when Ji So-yun’s effort from the edge of the box curled just wide of Zinsberger’s far post.
With 10 minutes remaining of the first half, Guro Reiten was unlucky not to score as her speculative effort from the edge of the box bounced off the crossbar.
Chelsea started the second half brightly but we came close to a second when Beth Mead broke on the counter attack and set-up Jill Roord, whose effort from the edge of the box was held.
The Blues’ pressure finally paid off when Kirby drove into the box and squared the ball to Bethany England, who took a touch before firing into the net.
We grew back into the contest and came close to re-taking the lead when Mead collected the ball on the edge of the box, gained space but curled an effort just wide.
With five minutes remaining Chelsea scored the winner when the ball broke to Maria Thorisdottir on the edge of the box and she slammed past Zinsberger.
WHAT IT MEANS
We sit third in the Women’s Super League table behind Manchester City and Chelsea.
WHAT’S NEXT
Joe Montemurro’s side next travel to the Czech Republic to face SK Slavia Praha in the Women’s Champions League last-16 on Wednesday, October 16 at 5.30pm (UK time)
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