Bristol City 0-3 Chelsea: Blues three points clear before winter break
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Chelsea gained a three-point advantage in the Women’s Super League title race by beating struggling Bristol City in their final league match of the year.
Lauren James, returning to the starting line-up after being benched for their Champions League draw with Hacken on Tuesday, opened the scoring with a wonderfully-executed curling finish from the edge of the box.
Bristol City had early chances in an evenly-matched opening with Amalie Thestrup and Abi Harrison coming close, but Chelsea eventually showcased their excellence.
Erin Cuthbert fired a 34th-minute volley past Olivia Clark to extend their advantage when a mistimed clearance fell perfectly into her path.
James hit the crossbar as she looked to fire home another from distance, before Sam Kerr nodded in a pinpoint Guro Reiten cross to claim Chelsea’s third in the 59th minute.
The visitors ended on a low note, though, when they had defender Niamh Charles sent off as she was shown a second yellow card for a foul in injury time.
The result ensured the Blues finished the calendar year in command at the top of the table, taking advantage of Arsenal’s surprise defeat by rivals Tottenham on Saturday.
Chelsea are still in Champions League action before the break begins and visit Hacken on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
More to follow.
Line-ups
Bristol City Women
Formation 5-4-1
- 13ClarkSubstituted forHaalandat 89′minutes
- 2PowellSubstituted forWardat 66′minutes
- 4Layzell
- 6Connolly
- 12Mustaki
- 11Napier
- 24MorganSubstituted forWoolleyat 87′minutes
- 23Jones
- 8Rodgers
- 17ThestrupSubstituted forHaylesat 88′minutes
- 7HarrisonSubstituted forSymeat 70′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Struck
- 9Hayles
- 15Bull
- 16Syme
- 27Woolley
- 28Teisar
- 29Ward
- 39Kendall
- 41Haaland
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 24Hampton
- 12LawrenceSubstituted forPérissetat 78′minutes
- 6Nüsken
- 7Carter
- 21CharlesBooked at 90mins
- 5Ingle
- 22Cuthbert
- 10JamesSubstituted forHamanoat 74′minutes
- 14KirbySubstituted forFlemingat 73′minutes
- 11ReitenSubstituted forBeever-Jonesat 65′minutes
- 20KerrSubstituted forFishelat 65′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Musovic
- 2Fishel
- 15Périsset
- 17Fleming
- 19Rytting Kaneryd
- 23Hamano
- 33Beever-Jones
- 38Brown
- Referee:
- Amy Fearns
- Attendance:
- 9,442
Live Text
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Match ends, Bristol City Women 0, Chelsea Women 3.
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Second Half ends, Bristol City Women 0, Chelsea Women 3.
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Second yellow card to Niamh Charles (Chelsea Women) for a bad foul.
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Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City Women).
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Foul by Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women).
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Emily Syme (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt blocked. Shania Hayles (Bristol City Women) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Mari Ward.
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Foul by Maika Hamano (Chelsea Women).
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Jamie-Lee Napier (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt saved. Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Niamh Charles.
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Substitution, Bristol City Women. Benedicte Haaland replaces Olivia Clark because of an injury.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Olivia Clark (Bristol City Women).
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Substitution, Bristol City Women. Shania Hayles replaces Amalie Thestrup.
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Substitution, Bristol City Women. Jesse Woolley replaces Ffion Morgan.
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Attempt missed. Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Jessie Fleming.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Olivia Clark (Bristol City Women).
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Attempt saved. Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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