Match ends, Chelsea Ladies 6, Bristol City WFC 0.
Chelsea WomenChelsea Women6Bristol City WomenBristol City Women0
Chelsea Ladies began their Women's Super League One campaign by thrashing Bristol City Women.
Drew Spence gave the Blues an early lead with a diving header before Fran Kirby capitalised on a defensive error to fire in the second.
Maren Mjelde capped a fine team move to slot in the third and Magdalena Eriksson headed in from a corner.
Gilly Flaherty forced the ball home to complete the scoring after Mjelde had tapped in Gemma Davison's cross.
It was a comprehensive victory for the WSL Spring Series champions against a side who won promotion to the top flight at the end of the last full WSL 2 season.
Lauren Hemp posed the biggest threat for Bristol City but was twice denied by Blues keeper Hedvig Lindahl.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes:
"Getting six goals was really pleasing, as well as having debutants come in with one getting a goal and the other producing a superb performance.
"For us it's about kicking on from the Spring Series and I think we showed today why we are currently the top team in the country.
"I was also delighted that Drew Spence got on the scoresheet. Her goal now is to make herself available for the international side, she has all the qualities needed to be a good international."
Bristol City manager Willie Kirk:
"Our season won't be defined by defeats away at Chelsea - what matters for us is our games against slightly weaker opposition.
"We try and play our brand of football but that is always tough against opposition like this.
"I think when you are chasing the ball for 75 minutes then it's always going to be a struggle."
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Line-ups
Chelsea Women
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Lindahl
- 2Thorisdottir
- 5Flaherty
- 16Eriksson
- 3BlundellSubstituted forCuthbertat 70'minutes
- 18Mjelde
- 17Chapman
- 7Davison
- 8Carney
- 14KirbySubstituted forAlukoat 78'minutes
- 24SpenceSubstituted forJiat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Bright
- 9Aluko
- 10Ji
- 11Rafferty
- 12Spencer
- 22Cuthbert
Bristol City Women
Formation 3-4-3
- 13Baggaley
- 2Dykes
- 3Brown
- 6Kerkdijk
- 7Arthur
- 16Estcourt
- 20BiesmansSubstituted forWilsonat 72'minutes
- 21Turner
- 8Humphrey
- 9DanielsSubstituted forWoodhamat 83'minutes
- 11HempBooked at 47mins
Substitutes
- 10Fergusson
- 12Allen
- 17Woodham
- 18Wilson
- 19Wilson
- Referee:
- Jack Packman
- Attendance:
- 1,540
Match Stats
Home TeamChelsea WomenAway TeamBristol City Women
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home24
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home14
- Away3
- Corners
- Home7
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away6
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Chelsea Ladies 6, Bristol City WFC 0.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Maren Mjelde (Chelsea Ladies) because of an injury.
Goal!
Goal! Chelsea Ladies 6, Bristol City WFC 0. Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner following a set piece situation.
Post update
Attempt saved. Maria Thorisdottir (Chelsea Ladies) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Magdalena Eriksson with a cross.
Post update
Ji So-Yun (Chelsea Ladies) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Millie Turner (Bristol City WFC).
Post update
Attempt missed. Eniola Aluko (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Maria Thorisdottir with a through ball.
Post update
Attempt saved. Eniola Aluko (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Karen Carney.
Goal!
Goal! Chelsea Ladies 5, Bristol City WFC 0. Maren Mjelde (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Gemma Davison.
Post update
Attempt saved. Carla Humphrey (Bristol City WFC) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Lauren Hemp.
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol City WFC. Lily Woodham replaces Yana Daniels.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Gemma Davison (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Maria Thorisdottir.
Goal!
Goal! Chelsea Ladies 4, Bristol City WFC 0. Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea Ladies) header from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Karen Carney with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Chelsea Ladies. Conceded by Poppy Wilson.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Katie Chapman (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gemma Davison.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea Ladies. Eniola Aluko replaces Francesca Kirby.
Post update
Attempt missed. Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Francesca Kirby.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ji So-Yun (Chelsea Ladies) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
