-
Emily Keogh
LONDON — After a series of underwhelming performances, Chelsea finally delivered a convincing display, securing a 4-0 victory over Paris FC. This win comes at a timely moment, providing a much-needed morale boost before the international break.
Despite Chelsea holding the top spot in the Women’s Super League, their form had raised concerns ahead of their UEFA Women’s Champions League meeting with Paris FC. The team had managed just one point from their previous Champions League match, a draw with Twente, eliciting frustration from fans due to their lack of scoring despite a strong attacking lineup.
Poor results, such as a 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur and a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, had plagued their early season, which was puzzling given their previous successes. Despite this, they’ve consistently shown flashes of brilliance with one of Europe’s strongest attacks.
– Chelsea in Women’s Champions League: Fixtures, results, news
– Watch every Chelsea UWCL game from this season on Disney+
– UWCL recap: Chelsea and Barça dominate, USWNT’s Thompson and Yohannes shine
The team had been in a rut, struggling to convert opportunities and exhibiting a lack of urgency in front of goal. In their match against Spurs, Chelsea recorded an astonishing 25 opportunities but converted only one, reflecting a puzzling inability to finish despite significant possession.
Manager Sonia Bompastor acknowledged the need for improvement after a string of disappointing performances. While she supports her players, she emphasizes the importance of demanding better from them.
“I’m quite direct and honest with my players. I will always defend them in this room, but when it comes to analyzing our performances, I have to be straightforward,” she noted when discussing their recent turnaround.
“I’m very pleased with the response we showed on the pitch compared to our previous two games. We created numerous chances today, and while we only managed one goal last weekend, it was encouraging to see us create so much,” she added.
Before Chelsea scored against Paris FC, they missed six clear opportunities, casting doubt on whether they could avoid another frustrating evening in front of goal.
Credit to Paris goalkeeper Mylene Chavas, who made several remarkable saves. However, a decisive moment came when Sjoeke Nüsken was fouled in the box, allowing Sandy Baltimore to convert the penalty, breaking the deadlock.
This goal was followed by a header from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and further goals from Alyssa Thompson, who scored her first goal for Chelsea, and Sam Kerr, whose last Champions League goal was also against Paris FC.
It seems Chelsea’s players are finding their form at a crucial juncture. Sam Kerr, returning from a significant injury layoff, scored her second goal since rejoining the squad, providing a vital boost for a squad that needs it before facing four critical Champions League matches before the knockout phase starts next year.
Thompson also scored, marking a significant milestone as Chelsea’s record signing. Her recent performances have justified the efforts the club put into securing her from a competitive market.
With 26 total shots and nine on target, this four-goal output mirrors the Chelsea side that achieved a domestic treble last season, despite missing key players such as Ellie Carpenter and others who are returning from injuries.
A championship-caliber team knows how to secure points even when not firing on all cylinders. Bompastor noted that maintaining peak performance is challenging, especially following a busy summer schedule.
“If you let your energy and mentality drop by five or ten percent, you’ll face problems,” Bompastor stated. “Staying at that highest level, particularly after an intense summer, is one of the toughest challenges in football.”
“It also takes time for players to recover post-tournament, and we’ve seen some injuries to key players. Reviewing our performance over the past month, especially with the outcomes, has been quite promising, culminating in these last two games.”
Chelsea’s resurgence could not have come at a better time. The impending break may pause their momentum, yet it offers a chance for recovery, paving the way for a more unified and confident group after this resounding victory. Upon returning to league play, they’ll face the improving London City Lionesses before taking on Arsenal, who have struggled for form despite their trophy success.
Looking back on this recent patch of fixtures, Bompastor expressed her satisfaction with the team’s current shape. Only time will tell if they can maintain this revitalized performance level.