Match ends, Chelsea FC Women 1, Liverpool Women 0.
Chelsea WomenChelsea Women1Liverpool WomenLiverpool Women0
Magda Eriksson scored the only goal at Kingsmeadow with an overhead kick as Chelsea Women ruined Liverpool Women boss Vicky Jepson's first match in official charge.
The reigning WSL champions earned only a second win of the season with the Swedish defender's 27th-minute strike.
With their front three in lively form, Chelsea had chances to win by more.
But from Jonna Andersson's cross, an off-balance Beth England blazed over from close range at the far post.
- Arsenal maintain 100% start in WSL
- West Ham come from behind to win at Everton
- Brighton beat Yeovil in bottom two clash
Liverpool gave a good account of themselves as Jepson took charge of her first game since being appointed officially as manager on Friday, having been in joint charge with Chris Kirkland since the departure of Neil Redfearn in September.
But the game was settled by some hapless defending as the visitors tried to deal with Erin Cuthbert's left-wing corner.
Three defenders went wrestling to the ground in trying to counter the threat of Chelsea's England defender Millie Bright. That left space for Drew Spence to knock it back across goal and, from 10 yards out, the unmarked Eriksson had the time and space to control with a flick up in the air before finishing with a cool overhead kick.
Chelsea came through six minutes of injury time, after Liverpool's Jasmine Matthews came off worse in a clash of heads with defender Maria Thorisdottir, to climb above the Reds into fourth in the table.
Line-ups
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 28Telford
- 3Blundell
- 4Bright
- 16Eriksson
- 20Andersson
- 5Ingle
- 24SpenceBooked at 53minsSubstituted forThorisdottirat 62'minutesSubstituted forEngmanat 86'minutes
- 15EnglandSubstituted forBachmannat 81'minutes
- 10Ji
- 22CuthbertBooked at 69mins
- 14Kirby
Substitutes
- 1Lindahl
- 2Thorisdottir
- 7Carter
- 8Carney
- 17Engman
- 21Cooper
- 23Bachmann
Liverpool Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 18Kitching
- 44Murray
- 6Bradley
- 2MatthewsSubstituted forLittleat 86'minutes
- 3Robe
- 4Roberts
- 5FaheySubstituted forMurrayat 77'minutes
- 7Clarke
- 8Coombs
- 20BabajideBooked at 65mins
- 24LinnettSubstituted forDanielsat 70'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Preuss
- 9Sweetman-Kirk
- 10Murray
- 11Daniels
- 12Little
- 19Rodgers
- Referee:
- Stacey Pearson
- Attendance:
- 1,528
Match Stats
Home TeamChelsea WomenAway TeamLiverpool Women
- Possession
- Home70%
- Away30%
- Shots
- Home22
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away2
- Corners
- Home9
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Chelsea FC Women 1, Liverpool Women 0.
Post update
Offside, Chelsea FC Women. Carly Telford tries a through ball, but Ramona Bachmann is caught offside.
Post update
Offside, Liverpool Women. Leandra Little tries a through ball, but Rinsola Babajide is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt missed. Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea FC Women) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea FC Women. Adelina Engman replaces Maria Thorisdottir because of an injury.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool Women. Leandra Little replaces Jasmine Matthews because of an injury.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Maria Thorisdottir (Chelsea FC Women) because of an injury.
Post update
Delay in match Jasmine Matthews (Liverpool Women) because of an injury.
Post update
Corner, Chelsea FC Women. Conceded by Sophie Bradley.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea FC Women. Ramona Bachmann replaces Beth England.
Post update
Offside, Liverpool Women. Christie Murray tries a through ball, but Jessica Clarke is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool Women. Christie Murray replaces Niamh Fahey.
Post update
Attempt missed. Beth England (Chelsea FC Women) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Jonna Andersson with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Maria Thorisdottir (Chelsea FC Women).
Post update
Rinsola Babajide (Liverpool Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea FC Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Rinsola Babajide (Liverpool Women).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Laura Coombs (Liverpool Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Satara Murray.
