In our first game back after the international break, Everton were quickest to settle into the match. However, the Blues remained composed under some early pressure and netted the opening goal on 37 minutes, when Harder headed home from Guro Reiten’s inviting cross on the left-hand side.

Having taken the lead, we started to gain some control over proceedings and created opportunities to double our advantage before half-time. Harder went close to notching a second for the afternoon, before Bright glanced a header narrowly wide of the mark. The Blues took a slender one-goal advantage into the break, but momentum had swung in our favour.

However, the hosts hit back through a Kadeisha Buchanan own goal, but parity only lasted seven minutes, Harder coolly converting from the spot after a foul on Reiten. Charles then secured the victory late on.

The selection

The first starting XI under the stewardship of Denise Reddy and Paul Green saw two changes to the team which began the 3-1 victory over West Ham United at Kingsmeadow prior to the international break.

Due to feeling unwell, Fran Kirby didn’t travel as a precaution and was replaced by Harder. Meanwhile, Lauren James came into the side in place of Katerina Svitkova, who was named among the substitutes.

The Blues lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with captain Magdalena Eriksson deployed in the left-back position. James and Reiten occupied the wide areas with Jessie Fleming partnering Erin Cuthbert in the midfield, while Harder supported Sam Kerr in attack.

Settling down

During the warm-ups, the Chelsea players wore shirts which read ‘Get Well Soon Emma’ in support of manager Emma Hayes, who is recovering from emergency surgery. On a surprisingly mild afternoon at Walton Hall Park, it was the hosts who got the game underway and they began proceedings with a spring in their step.

Jess Park made an early break into the box only to see the door quickly close in front of her, before Lucy Graham fired wide when the Blues only half cleared a cross from the left-hand side. Chelsea’s first half chance arrived with five minutes played when Harder curled an effort from the edge of the box that was comfortably gathered by Courtney Brosnan in the Everton goal.

Our first free-flowing move of the game was conjured on 10 minutes when Reiten cut the ball back from the left-hand side for Harder, who had made an intelligent run to the edge of the box, but could not keep the resulting effort down. Moments later, we had the ball in the net when Kerr tucked home from close-range, only for the offside flag to deny her.

Unlocking the door

Everton certainly settled more quicker and saw more of the possession in the opening stages, but Kerr was beginning to get more service in the final third of the pitch. On 35 minutes, James came closest to breaking the deadlock when her left-footed strike was deflected onto the crossbar as we began to ask more questions of the Everton defence.

With half-time approaching, Chelsea netted the opening goal on 37 minutes courtesy of Harder, who moments before had been treated for a knock. Reiten delivered one of her trademark crosses from the left which was perfectly weighted for the Dane, who made the run into space and headed the ball powerfully past Brosnan.

After taking the lead, the Blues began to play with more confidence and composure. We began to see more of the ball and created chances to extend the lead. Harder came close from another Reiten delivery while Bright glanced a header agonisingly wide of the far post, before the referee drew the first half to a close.

Show of character

In similar fashion to the first half, Everton looked to get on the front foot from the off. Their momentum was halted momentarily with a pause in play for Buchanan to receive some treatment, but the defender was fine to continue. The hosts worked to force Chelsea to retreat into their defensive shape and that pressure amounted to an equaliser on 52 minutes.

A corner from the left resulted in a scramble inside the box, which saw the ball deflect off Buchanan and beyond Berger to level the scores at 1-1. However, we were awarded a penalty just seven minutes later when Reiten was brought down by Brosnan as she advanced into the box. Harder took responsibility and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to restore our lead.

On the hour mark, we looked to the bench for reinforcements. After netting a brace, Harder made way for Johanna Rytting Kaneryd who came out to the right side of the midfield, while James drifted into a more central position nearer to Kerr. The Blues needed to dig deep, show character and discipline with a slender lead intact and plenty of time still remaining.

Both sides had now introduced fresh legs as the game entered the final twenty minutes. Everton were dropping deeper to prevent Chelsea from gaining a two-goal cushion. We continued to look for a third goal and it almost came from substitute Kaneryd. The Swede unleashed a thunderous strike from distance which rattled the crossbar.

Sealing the victory

With 15 minutes remaining, the Blues made a double change with Bethany England and Charles replacing Reiten and Kerr. Charles almost made an immediate impact when she burst into the box and stung the palms of Brosnan. Everton kept their composure, continued to work the ball and look for some space to exploit.

Sophie Ingle was introduced in the closing stages with James making way, as we looked to protect our lead and close the game out. There were some nerves creeping in amongst the Blues faithful when the fourth official indicated a minimum of seven minutes added time, meaning ultimate concentration and discipline was required.

In calm and assured fashion, we navigated the additional time and wrapped up the three points in the final moments thanks to Charles, whose strike evaded the outstretched Brosnan allowing the Chelsea faithful to breathe a sigh of relief. This secured a hugely important three points that will surely please the absent Hayes watching from afar.

What’s next?

Our attention now turns to Europe as we prepare to kick-off our UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign.

The opening match of the group stage sees us head across the channel to the French capital, where we will take on Paris Saint-Germain.

This match takes place on Thursday 20th October at the Stade Jean-Bouin, with kick-off at 8pm (UK time).

Everton (5-4-1): Brosnan; Graham, Finnigan, Veje, Sevecke, George (Maier 79); Park, Bjorn (Galli 64), Holmgaard (Wheeler 64), Stenevik (Christiansen 71); Bennison (Queiroz Costa 79).
Unused Subs: Ramsey, Weir.
Scorer: Buchanan OG (53)

Chelsea (4-4-1-1): Berger, Perisset, Bright, Buchanan, Eriksson; James (Ingle 87), Cuthbert, Fleming, Reiten (Charles 76); Harder (Rytting Kaneryd 60); Kerr (England 76)
Unused Subs: Musovic, Nouwen, Carter, Svitkova, Mjelde.
Scorers: Harder (37, 59), Charles (90+4)

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