Agency :
Lauren James and Lucy Bronze both found the back of the net as Chelsea cruised to a dominant victory over WSL newcomers Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Despite securing three points in their season opener against Aston Villa, the Blues’ narrow 1-0 win felt precarious – only a late double save from Hannah Hampton ensured new manager Sonia Bompastor began her tenure with a victory.
A win today against newly-promoted Crystal Palace was not just important for the points, but crucial to send a message to the rest of the league. And that’s exactly what the reigning champions set out to do, firing seven past last season’s Championship winners.
Palace meanwhile have been given a rude awakening to life in the top flight, conceding 11 goals in their opening two games of the season.
There were spells in the first half where Palace looked like they could take Chelsea by surprise on the break, but they ultimately lacked the quality needed in the final pass.
And it was from one of these instances that the visitors pounced. Palace were putting together a few passes in the centre of the park when a ball intended for striker Katie Stengel fell short and was intercepted by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
Rytting Kaneryd – already with a goal and an assist in her first two games – launched down the right wing and chopped the ball back for Aggie Beever-Jones, who drilled it past the Crystal Palace goalkeeper Shae Yanez.
Boos echoed around Selhurst Park as Palace fans voiced their frustration at how quickly their positive play had unravelled.
Making her first start under new manager Sonia Bompastor, 21-year-old Aggie Beever-Jones stepped in for Colombian forward Mayra Ramirez in the number nine role. The young England international was energetic and direct, showing early flashes of a promising partnership with Lucy Bronze on the right flank – one that could prove highly rewarding.
In the second half, Chelsea turned the screw. First a Palace flick out of the box landed at the feet of Bronze, and with poise and precision the Lionesses star caressed the ball into the top right hand corner.
And another ten minutes later the Blues struck again, this time through the newly-introduced Ramirez, who skilfully found Lauren James at the back post for an easy tap in.