Two controversial penalties set Chelsea on the way to beating Everton to remain on track for a fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title.
Toffees defender Clare Wheeler conceded both spot-kicks for challenges on Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Chelsea’s record buy Mayra Ramirez – but each decision appeared harsh upon further inspection.
Wheeler seemed to win the ball when tackling Rytting Kaneryd before standing on her foot in the follow-through, while the contact on Ramirez for the second spot-kick was minimal at most.
Guro Reiten coolly converted both penalties before Erin Cuthbert finished a wonderful team move to fire home a late third as Chelsea claimed a record-extending 22nd successive WSL home win.
Emma Hayes’ side reclaimed top spot with victory, having been leapfrogged earlier on Sunday by Manchester City after their 2-0 win over Leicester.
Chelsea, three points clear at the summit, host Gareth Taylor’s City in their next league game on Friday, 16 February – a huge match in the WSL title race that will be shown live on BBC Two.
Defeat, meanwhile, leaves Everton five points clear of danger in 10th place while their manager Brian Sorensen was sent off late on for comments made to the referee.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 24Hampton
- 12Lawrence
- 7Carter
- 39Björn
- 21Charles
- 22CuthbertSubstituted forCankovicat 89′minutes
- 8Leupolz
- 19Rytting KanerydSubstituted forKirbyat 68′minutes
- 10JamesBooked at 65minsSubstituted forNüskenat 78′minutes
- 11ReitenSubstituted forBeever-Jonesat 79′minutes
- 35RamírezSubstituted forFishelat 79′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Musovic
- 2Fishel
- 5Ingle
- 6Nüsken
- 14Kirby
- 15Périsset
- 26Buchanan
- 28Cankovic
- 33Beever-Jones
Everton Women
Formation 3-4-3
- 1BrosnanBooked at 26mins
- 8Vanhaevermaet
- 20Finnigan
- 27Stenevik
- 10Bennison
- 7WheelerBooked at 26minsSubstituted forOlesenat 78′minutes
- 21Kühl
- 22Galli
- 19PayneSubstituted forHopeat 79′minutes
- 18Piemonte
- 26MadsenSubstituted forBissellat 58′minutes
Substitutes
- 11Bissell
- 13Hart
- 15Dale
- 17Hope
- 25Snoeijs
- 30Wilding
- 47Olesen
Live Text
-
Match ends, Chelsea Women 3, Everton Women 0.
-
Second Half ends, Chelsea Women 3, Everton Women 0.
-
Offside, Chelsea Women. Sjoeke Nüsken is caught offside.
-
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Jelena Cankovic replaces Erin Cuthbert.
-
Attempt saved. Mia Fishel (Chelsea Women) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Erin Cuthbert with a cross.
-
Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Emma Bissell.
-
Attempt missed. Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a corner.
-
Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Megan Finnigan.
-
Goal! Chelsea Women 3, Everton Women 0. Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mia Fishel.
-
Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Courtney Brosnan.
-
Attempt saved. Mia Fishel (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom left corner.
-
Attempt blocked. Mia Fishel (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Agnes Beever-Jones.
-
Substitution, Everton Women. Lucy Hope replaces Heather Payne.
-
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Agnes Beever-Jones replaces Guro Reiten.
-
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Mia Fishel replaces Mayra Ramírez.
-
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Sjoeke Nüsken replaces Lauren James.
-
Substitution, Everton Women. Karoline Olesen replaces Clare Wheeler.
-
Offside, Chelsea Women. Fran Kirby is caught offside.
-
Attempt blocked. Aurora Galli (Everton Women) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Elise Stenevik with a cross.
-
Foul by Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea Women).
