Aggie Beever-Jones’ seventh-minute strike was enough to send Chelsea back to the top of the Women’s Super League table thanks to a 1-0 win over Leicester.
Beever-Jones’ third league goal in as many games proved to be the difference maker as she continued her clinical start to the season amid pressure on her spot from the returning Sam Kerr.
Prior to kick-off, a minute’s silence was held in memory of former Liverpool manager Matt Beard who died on Saturday aged 47. Beard also had a spell at Chelsea from 2009-2012, and both sides wore black armbands to commemorate him.
The visitors made a lively start and had Chelsea under pressure in the opening stages, with 50 per cent of the first six minutes being played inside the hosts’ final third. However, Sonia Bompastor’s side showed exactly why they are defending champions with their first attack of the game.
A neat backheel on the edge of the box from Erin Cuthbert completely bamboozled the Leicester defence and allowed Beever-Jones all the time in the world to rifle the ball into the roof of the net.
Despite their impressive high press throughout the contest, Leicester still had goalkeeper Janina Leitzig to thank for keeping the scoreline down, with the German keeping several long-range efforts out, with a fingertip stop to deny Keira Walsh the pick of the bunch at the end of the first half.
Leicester continued to keep Chelsea on their toes, but lacked the quality in the final third to trouble Hannah Hampton for much of the game. A long-range chip from Emily van Egmond prompted a chuckle from the Blues shotstopper, summing up the way the game panned out.
Hampton did have to stay alert right until the end though, producing an incredible fingertip stop to deny substitute Rosella Ayane deep into second-half stoppage time.
Sam Kerr made her first appearance at Kingsmeadow for almost two years.
Kerr was warmly received by the home faithful as she made her first appearance at Kingsmeadow in almost two years as she continues to make her way back into the fold. But it was the woman who has taken her role that ensured the defending champions returned to the summit.
More to follow…
Sky to show 90 per cent of all WSL games from 2025/26
Sky Sports has begun a new five-year partnership with the WSL, showing 90 per cent of all Women’s Super League matches from the 2025/26 season. Sky Sports will show 118 live games, including 78 exclusively
From this season, most Women’s Super League matches will kick-off at 12pm on Sundays – subject to stadium availability – giving fans a regular and accessible viewing window.
Sky Sports will broadcast matches concurrently across channels, including Sky Sports Main EventSky Sports+ and the Sky Sports app, offering greater choice and visibility.
The Sky Sports app also makes it easier than ever to follow the action on mobile with vertical video highlights, match centres packed with scores and stats available for FREE to all fans, plus live streams for Sky Sports customers.
Free-to-watch match highlights from EVERY WSL game will continue to be served up on the Sky Sports website and App.