Chelsea have gone top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table after defeating Manchester United 2-1 at Kingsmeadow this afternoon.
The Blues were the dominant force for large periods of the match but had to be at their best until the final whistle to see off a United side who simply cannot be written off at any point this season.
Chelsea could have been ahead after just three minutes at Kingsmeadow but Mary Earps saved Sam Kerr’s shot with her feet.
The Australian international again went close 13 minutes later when she fired narrowly wide before the hosts took the lead in the 29th minute when Pernille Harder struck the ball home after some pinball in the United box.
United were better in the second half and Lauren James’ superb curling strike pulled Casey Stoney’s side level just after the hour. Chelsea responded and they were soon to regain their lead when Fran Kirby latched onto a long ball upfield before rifling her shot home.
Quality goalscoring opportunities were few and far between from there on in with Sophie Ingle coming closest to adding to the scoreline but she couldn’t test Earps from distance as the match ended 2-1 in Chelsea’s favour.
Emma Hayes’ side are now top of the table courtesy of a better goal difference than Stoney’s United.
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