Brighton visited Kingsmeadow Stadium on Sunday 8th December where they faced Chelsea – who sat unbeaten at the top of the WSL going into the game. Written by Ava Feldman
The opening minutes of the game began well for Chelsea, who applied pressure from the first minute. Chelsea’s dominant start was balanced out by Brighton’s counter attacking abilities but neither team could take advantage of their opportunities.
An early yellow card for Erin Cuthbert marked the first set piece of the match, which their Seagulls struggled to make the most of.
It took the reigning Champions only 34 minutes to open the scoring, as Wieke Kaptein slotted it home after a goal-line block by Brighton’s Bergsvand.
Just 5 minutes later, Baggaley’s attempt to play the ball out from the back failed as Aggie Beaver-Jones made the interception and passed the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0 to the home side.
Another goal in quick succession, but this time for the visitors, as Brighton got a goal back just before half-time. Jelena Cankovic’s strike in the 43rd minute reduced the deficit to allow the Albion back into the game.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Chelsea looking to add to their scoring tally. And the Blues did just that, with a goal in the 50th minute from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd after Lucy Bronze’s blocked shot deflected to the Swedish midfielder.
Frustration from the Albion as Nikita Parris earned her place in the referee’s book after a late tackle.
After a series of brilliant link-up play by Brighton, Kiko Seike smashed it home after Michelle Agyemang’s pressure led to her interception of Hannah Hampton’s possession.
The last 15 minutes of the game were tense and action-packed, as Chelsea hit the post and errors by the Seagulls’ defence led to multiple goalscoring opportunities for the home side.
The final 5 minutes were crucial for Brighton to draw level, but Seike’s 1-on-1 opportunity saved by Hampton proved to be the deciding factor in the Blues picking up all 3 points.
A 90th minute goal from Sjoeke Nüsken to kill the game and put the champions 4-2 up marked the end of the match, with Chelsea battling to pick up all 3 points.
Brighton currently sit 5th in the WSL table and face Bristol City at Broadfield Stadium in the Women’s League Cup on Wednesday 11th December.
