Chelsea Secures Dominant Victory Over Crystal Palace in Women's Super League

Chelsea continued their impressive start to the Women’s Super League campaign with a commanding victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Blues took the lead just before halftime when Aggie Beever-Jones capitalized on a counter-attack following a Palace move that broke down.

After the break, summer signing Lucy Bronze quickly doubled Chelsea’s lead to 2-0. The goals kept coming as Lauren James, Nathalie Bjorn, Catarina Macario, and two from Guro Reiten further extended the tally.

Despite the heavy defeat, Laura Kaminski’s newly-promoted Palace side showed flashes of promise in their first home WSL match. They threatened through players like Annabel Blanchard, Indiah-Paige Riley, and Katie Stengel, but could not find the back of the net.

Chelsea’s clinical finishing made the difference, with James consistently posing a threat and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd contributing with another assist. Bronze marked her arrival from Barcelona with a goal, showcasing her attacking prowess under new manager Sonia Bompastor.

This match served as a harsh lesson for Palace, who remain without a goal in the WSL and have conceded 11 in their first two games. Over 5,000 fans filled Selhurst Park, hoping for an upset, but Chelsea’s quality proved overwhelming.

Palace had moments of promise early on, with Mille Gejl and Lily Woodham contributing to lively attacks. However, Chelsea’s defense held firm, and a swift transition led to Beever-Jones’s opener in the 38th minute.

Though Palace started the second half with optimism, it quickly turned into a nightmare as Chelsea found their rhythm, scoring six goals after the break. The Blues’ performance was a testament to their intent to defend their title this season, showcasing the swagger and ruthlessness needed to succeed.