Chelsea Women’s team put on a dazzling display in their first game of the year, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Charlton Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Kingsmeadow.
The Blues dominated on their home turf, marking their return with a commanding performance that extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to 17 matches, including 16 wins.
Chelsea opened the scoring in the 40th minute when Mayra Ramirez headed in her sixth goal of the season, capitalizing on a deflected cross from Lucy Bronze. Moments later, Ramirez nearly doubled her tally, but her powerful header was tipped over by Charlton goalkeeper Jessica Gray.
Just before halftime, the Blues were awarded a penalty after Ramirez was brought down in the box. Guro Reiten, Chelsea’s top scorer of the season, stepped up to the spot and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving Chelsea a 2-0 lead at the break.
Manager Sonia Bompastor made three substitutions at halftime, introducing Aggie Beever-Jones, Niamh Charles, and Wieke Kaptein, and the changes paid immediate dividends.
Just three minutes into the second half, Beever-Jones marked her 50th Chelsea appearance with a goal, finishing a perfectly weighted through ball from Ramirez.
The Blues added their fourth in the 73rd minute, capping off a well-worked team move. Charles slotted home her first goal of the season with a composed finish into the bottom corner.
Despite several late chances, including efforts from Beever-Jones and Charles, Chelsea were unable to add to their tally.
The victory was slightly marred by an injury to teenage midfielder Kaptein, who was stretchered off in stoppage time. Chelsea will be hoping for positive news on her condition as they prepare for their first Women’s Super League match of the year against West Ham United next weekend.
Chelsea Women’s 4-0 Charlton Athletic: Key Moments
- 40’: Ramirez heads in the opener.
- 45+3’: Reiten doubles the lead with a penalty.
- 48’: Beever-Jones scores Chelsea’s third.
- 73’: Charles rounds off the scoring with a composed finish.
Lineups
Chelsea: Hampton; Bronze, Bjorn, Bright, Baltimore (Charles 46), Cuthbert (Nusken 55), Jean-Francois, Reiten, James (Beever-Jones 46), Macario (Kaptein 46), Ramirez (Hamano 56).
Unused subs: Musovic, Perisset, Lawrence, Bernabe.
Charlton Athletic: Gray; Pearse, Skeels, N’Dow, Newsham, Hutton (O’Rourke 63), Filis (Chime 90), Bradley, Muya (Bashford 76), Brazil (Siber 76), Barton (Primus 63).
Unused subs: Whitehouse, Mitchell.
Chelsea now await the FA Cup fifth-round draw, set to take place on Monday night at 6:30 PM, which will be streamed live on YouTube.
