Forward Pernille Harder netted two goals as Chelsea eased to a 4-1 pre-season friendly victory over Rangers in Dunbartonshire this evening.
Brogan Hay fired the hosts into an early lead, however, Chelsea soon roared back thanks to Harder’s double. Further goals from Beth England and youngster Emma Thompson added gloss to The Blues’ victory at the Rangers Traning Centre.
A rapid start saw Ann-Katrin Berger superbly save a Lizzie Arnot effort inside the first minute before Drew Spence rattled the crossbar at the other end.
It was Rangers who took the lead in the 18th minute in fortunate circumstances. Chelsea tried to play the ball out from the back but Melanie Leupolz slipped and Hay benefitted by striking the ball into an empty net.
Chelsea were behind for just a minute before Guro Reiten delivered onto the head of Harder who netted her first goal of the game. She soon followed that strike up with another when she converted from the penalty spot to give her side the lead.
Emma Hayes’ side were unlucky not to be further ahead by half-time. Rangers goalkeeper Jenna Fife made two quick-fire saves to deny Beth England the opportunity to add her name to the scoresheet.
There was only one team in it in the second half with Chelsea being completely dominant. Erin Cuthbert rattled the post five minutes in with an effort from range before Fife denied both Spence and England in quick succession.
Sam Kerr then wasted a rare goalscoring opportunity for Rangers as she fired wide before Erin Cuthbert played in England for a tap in as Chelsea went 3-1 up.
Both sides made changes late in the second half and one of the replacements made an impact, Chelsea youngster Emma Thompson. She drilled home The Blues’ fourth goal from the edge of the box to cap-off a dominant display from the English champions.
Chelsea begin the new season at London rivals Arsenal on Sunday 5 September.
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