Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor assured fans there’s more to expect from record-signing Alyssa Thompson after she netted her first goal for the club in their 4-0 triumph over Paris FC at Stamford Bridge.
The 20-year-old forward, who joined from NWSL team Angel City FC at the start of September, scored to put Chelsea 3-0 up and secure their first win in the Women’s Champions League this season, breaking a recent scoring drought in style.
A penalty from Sandy Baltimore in the first half—awarded after a foul on Sjoeke Nüsken—was followed by a well-executed header from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, before Thompson finished off Kiera Walsh’s low cross with precision.
“Alyssa brings a lot of speed up front and is very comfortable on the ball,” Bompastor commented regarding the U.S. international. “She takes risks, challenging defenders in one-on-one situations. It’s tough to defend against her. She delivers many crosses and can finish, as she showed tonight.
“Her hard work is evident. For a forward or winger, scoring that first goal is crucial for building confidence.
“She has a strong work ethic and is eager to contribute to the team both on and off the ball. If needed, she’s willing to track back and help defend.
“I believe we haven’t seen her best yet, but I’m optimistic that we will soon.”
Erin Cuthbert added a fourth goal, poking the ball home just inches from the line after connecting with a header from substitute Sam Kerr.
After struggling to score just twice in their last three matches, Chelsea’s performance in this match kickstarts their European campaign with flair.
“What matters most is the character we displayed in the last two games,” Bompastor said. “I’m straightforward with my players. I’ll always defend them in public, but when it comes to analyzing the game, I’m direct.
“If something doesn’t go well, I make sure I guide them on achieving key objectives.
“When a player drops their energy by even five to ten percent, it can lead to problems. The toughest part of football is maintaining that high level of performance.
“In such situations, it’s essential to keep pushing hard and remain confident. We must focus on being clinical and finishing opportunities.”
Paris head coach Sandrine Soubeyrand praised her team’s effort, acknowledging that their challenge in London was significant.
“The result was fair,” said the former France international, with 198 caps. “The penalty decision was frustrating; the ball was high and didn’t seem playable.
“Chelsea has lofty ambitions, something we were aware of prior to the match. We defended well despite granting them clear chances. Our squad is less seasoned than theirs.”
This year’s new competition format sees the 18-team league phase conclude in December. The top four teams will move directly to the quarterfinals, while those ranked 5th to 12th will head to a knockout playoff. The bottom six teams will be eliminated.
Information from PA was included in this report.