Following a commanding 4-0 victory over Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round, Chelsea Women’s head coach Sonia Bompastor expressed her satisfaction with the performance, reflecting on the team’s patience, squad depth, and the welcome return of star player Lauren James.
The Blues began their FA Cup campaign in convincing fashion, securing the win against their Championship opponents.
While it took 40 minutes for Mayra Ramirez to break the deadlock, further goals from Guro Reiten, Aggie Beever-Jones, and Niamh Charles ensured a comfortable progression to the next round.
In her post-match conference, Bompastor shared her thoughts on the team’s approach:
“I was not concerned [it took 40 minutes to score] because I was expecting us not to score immediately against these types of teams. You need to stay patient and confident, trusting that if we don’t convert our first opportunities, we will create more and eventually score.”
The impact of Chelsea’s substitutes highlighted the team’s impressive depth. Beever-Jones, marking her 50th appearance, found the net just three minutes after coming on, while Charles sealed the win in the 73rd minute. Reflecting on her options, Bompastor said:
“I’m pleased because I have depth in my squad, which is crucial. When players come in and make an impact, it’s great for their confidence and the team. It also gives me some headaches when making future selections, but that’s a good problem to have.”
The match also saw Lauren James return to the starting lineup for the first time since mid-October. James played 45 minutes before being substituted at halftime alongside Sandy Baltimore and Catarina Macario. Bompastor explained her strategy:
“Before the game, I always have multiple plans depending on how it progresses. Today, we managed to win while also rotating the squad. It’s important to give minutes to as many players as possible. While only 11 can start and five can be substituted, the entire squad deserves opportunities.”
However, the victory was marred by an injury to teenage midfielder Wieke Kaptein, who was stretchered off in added time. Bompastor provided an update:
“She felt some pain in her back after being pulled down. The medical team will assess her tomorrow, and we’ll have more information later this week.”
The win extended Chelsea Women’s unbeaten streak to 17 matches across three competitions, underscoring their dominance this season.
With the squad firing on all cylinders and key players returning, Bompastor and her team are well-positioned for further success in the FA Cup and beyond.
