Chelsea beat Everton 4-1 at Goodison Park, strengthening their push for a Champions League spot as Sam Kerr scored twice to go level with Fran Kirby as the club’s all-time-top-goal-scorers in the WSL.
They faced a well-rested Everton side, whose last game prior to the international break came 27 days earlier. Chelsea, meanwhile, arrived off the back of a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals.
Despite a relatively bright start from the hosts, it was Chelsea who struck first when Sam Kerr turned in an Erin Cuthbert through ball just five minutes into the action.
Sjoeke Nüsken almost doubled her side’s advantage moments later but failed to connect with Ellie Carpenter’s cross on the volley.
Everton stunned Chelsea with an equaliser before the 10-minute mark, as Yuka Momiki produced a wonder strike from 35 yards out.
Chelsea dominated possession but the sides remained level for the rest of the first half, with Everton proving organised and disciplined.
It was a busy opening 45 minutes for Courtney Brosnan, who was forced into a full-stretch save to tip an Alyssa Thompson effort over the crossbar, before reacting quickly to deny Keira Walsh twice from range.
Lauren James also carved out a chance on the brink of half-time, the forward firing inches wide of restoring Chelsea’s lead.
Maz Pacheco rattled the crossbar for Everton moments into the second half, but the home fans barely had time to register the effort before Chelsea responded. Kerr grabbed her second of the afternoon in the 47th minute, cleverly arrowing past Brosnan who was off her line.
There were brief appeals for a third Kerr goal, with the striker convinced her effort had crossed the line, but Chelsea were not made to wait long to extend their lead, adding a third just two minutes later through Ellie Carpenter.
Everton were dealt another blow with 20 minutes remaining as Erin Cuthbert all but wrapped up the result with a powerful left-footed strike on the rebound.
Hannah Hampton had little trouble dealing with Momiki’s late effort, comfortably gathering the shot as Everton searched for a way back.
Reactions:
It was a disappointing result for Everton who had played a resilient first half but failed to capitalise on key moments.
At full-time, interim manager Scott Phelan said: “We came up against a really good team today with individuals who only need half a moment to punish you.
“The first half was competitive and there were definitely positives we can take but the frustation is in the timing of the goals.
“When you play against top teams, they punish you and they’re ruthless. All of a sudden the mountain to climb feels even bigger and it probably affected us psychologically which then plays mind games with the legs. Everything becomes a little bit tougher.
“We just wish we could have been competitive a little longer.”
For Chelsea, Sunday’s result means they move four points clear of Manchester United, who sit third, and five points clear of Arsenal in fourth. It’s an important result in the race for Champions League spots.
Sonia Bompastor said: “Our performance in the first half was not good enough.
“They scored one great goal on transition. That happens when we take risks and with the way that we play but in terms of physical aspects we weren’t closed enough in the first half.
“We had a conversation at half-time and we said we needed to mentally bring more energy on the pitch and play with higher intensity. I think we did that.”
She added: “To be in Europe next season is the clear goal for us. We said before these last few games that it was important for us to stay in control.
“Our mentality before every game is to go in and win.”
Chelsea next face Leicester City on Sunday, 3 May while Everton travel to Arsenal on Wednesday, 13 May.
Featured image courtesy of Cesar22 via Goodfon. No changes were made to this image. License details found here.