Chelsea earned their first points of the Women's Super League season, defeating Manchester City 2-0 at Kingsmeadow thanks to Fran Kirby's finish and a penalty from Maren Mjelde.
Kirby scored in the 42nd minute, and Mjelde added a penalty with 12 minutes remaining as Emma Hayes’ side bounced back from a 2-1 loss at Liverpool in their season opener last Sunday.
City created a number of chances, particularly in the first half, including a Laura Coombs shot that Ann-Katrin Berger brilliantly diverted against a post, but they were unable to avoid another defeat after last weekend’s 4-3 defeat at Aston Villa.
After Chelsea threatened in the first few seconds of the game, with Sam Kerr shooting wide, City pressed for the majority of the first 45 minutes.
Chloe Kelly observed an attempt held by Berger, who was back in action for the first time following the confirmation of a thyroid cancer recurrence last month, and Khadija Shaw launched two attempts over the bar.
After Lauren Hemp attempted to beat her at the near post in the 35th minute, Berger palmed the attempt behind before stopping Deyna Castellanos’ deflected shot.
Later in the half, with Sarina Wiegman, the manager of the Lionesses, watching from the stands, Guro Reiten sent the ball across the box to Kirby, who then side-footed home, Chelsea took the lead.
Moments later, Berger made a nice stop with her leg to deflect Coombs’ shot off the post. Laia Aleixandri’s corner kick missed, and Berger stopped another attempt from Coombs as City pressed forward early in the second half.
However, the visitors found it difficult to generate much after that as Chelsea sought a second goal. Kirby and Lauren James both missed their targets while Lauren James had two shots saved by Ellie Roebuck.
Then, Hayes’ team was given a penalty after Leila Ouahabi’s arm was struck by substitute Sophie Ingle’s shot. Defender Mjelde calmly converted the penalty past Roebuck from the spot.
