Movie
4 months ago
93 
Lauren James has scored seven goals for Chelsea in the Women's Super League this seasonChelsea gained a three-point advantage in the Women's Super League title race by beating struggling Bristol City in their final league match of the year.
Lauren James, returning to the starting line-up after being benched for their Champions League draw with Hacken on Tuesday, opened the scoring with a wonderfully-executed curling finish from the edge of the box.
Bristol City had early chances in an evenly-matched opening with Amalie Thestrup and Abi Harrison coming close, but Chelsea eventually showcased their excellence.
Erin Cuthbert fired a 34th-minute volley past Olivia Clark to extend their advantage when a mistimed clearance fell perfectly into her path.
James hit the crossbar as she looked to fire home another from distance, before Sam Kerr nodded in a pinpoint Guro Reiten cross to claim Chelsea's third in the 59th minute.
The visitors ended on a low note, though, when they had defender Niamh Charles sent off as she was shown a second yellow card for a foul in injury time.
The result ensured the Blues finished the calendar year in command at the top of the table, taking advantage of Arsenal's surprise defeat by rivals Tottenham on Saturday.
Chelsea are still in Champions League action before the break begins and visit Hacken on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
Relive Chelsea's victory over Bristol City as it happenedBlues end difficult week on a high
After a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal and goalless Champions League draw with Hacken, Chelsea needed a response.
It was not the most controlling of performances, but the Blues finished a three-game spell in seven days on a positive note.
Bristol City battled hard and tried to take the game to Chelsea, with Thestrup inches away from meeting a Jamie-Lee Napier delivery in the early exchanges.
Chelsea's debutant goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who joined from Aston Villa in the summer, was also forced into a well-timed save to foil Ffion Morgan from close range.
Thestrup fashioned chances as she linked well with Napier on the left-hand side to find gaps, but the hosts were undone by Chelsea's pressure.
Emma Hayes' side attacked in numbers with James linking play, while Reiten made darting runs through the Bristol City backline and Fran Kirby and Kerr combined well in attack.
A first clean sheet in the WSL since November 12 at Everton, was sealed too, despite Charles' late dismissal.
Line-ups
Bristol City Women
Formation 5-4-1
13ClarkSubstituted forHaalandat 89'minutes2PowellSubstituted forWardat 66'minutes4Layzell6Connolly12Mustaki11Napier24MorganSubstituted forWoolleyat 87'minutes23Jones8Rodgers17ThestrupSubstituted forHaylesat 88'minutes7HarrisonSubstituted forSymeat 70'minutesSubstitutes
3Struck9Hayles15Bull16Syme27Woolley28Teisar29Ward39Kendall41HaalandChelsea Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
24Hampton12LawrenceSubstituted forPérissetat 78'minutes6Nüsken7Carter21CharlesBooked at 90mins5Ingle22Cuthbert10JamesSubstituted forHamanoat 74'minutes14KirbySubstituted forFlemingat 73'minutes11ReitenSubstituted forBeever-Jonesat 65'minutes20KerrSubstituted forFishelat 65'minutesSubstitutes
1Musovic2Fishel15Périsset17Fleming19Rytting Kaneryd23Hamano33Beever-Jones38BrownReferee:Amy Fearns
Attendance:9,442
Live Text
Match ends, Bristol City Women 0, Chelsea Women 3.
Second Half ends, Bristol City Women 0, Chelsea Women 3.
Second yellow card to Niamh Charles (Chelsea Women) for a bad foul.
Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City Women).
Foul by Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women).
Emily Syme (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt blocked. Shania Hayles (Bristol City Women) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Mari Ward.
Foul by Maika Hamano (Chelsea Women).
Jamie-Lee Napier (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Niamh Charles.
Substitution, Bristol City Women. Benedicte Haaland replaces Olivia Clark because of an injury.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Olivia Clark (Bristol City Women).
Substitution, Bristol City Women. Shania Hayles replaces Amalie Thestrup.
Substitution, Bristol City Women. Jesse Woolley replaces Ffion Morgan.
Attempt missed. Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Jessie Fleming.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Olivia Clark (Bristol City Women).
Attempt saved. Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
![Presidents Day Weekend Car Sales [2021 Edition]](https://www.findthebestcarprice.com/wp-content/uploads/Presidents-Day-Weekend-car-sales.jpg "Presidents Day Weekend Car Sales [2021 Edition]")
English (United States)