After a midweek trip to Real Madrid for Champions League action, Emma Hayes and her players’ focus shifts back to the Women’s Super League as Chelsea welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
Our European campaign began with a frustrating 2-2 draw in the Spanish capital. Chelsea controlled the majority of the contest and turned the game on its head after Olga Carmona’s deflected shot had given the hosts the lead.
Niamh Charles levelled shortly before half time and turned creator in the second period to tee up Sam Kerr, who powered a trademark header beyond Misa Rodriguez.
The three points appeared to be headed to west London, but Real were awarded a controversial penalty after Jessie Fleming fouled Athenea del Castillo outside the box. Carmona converted.
Chelsea pushed for a winner and, in the dying seconds of the contest, Charles squeezed home a cross from Millie Bright. Unfortunately, the offside flag was raised despite the full-back being onside when the ball was played.
The draw wasn’t what Hayes’s side deserved but it maintained an unbeaten start to the campaign. Liverpool will look to end that run as we turn our attention back to domestic duties.
Tomorrow’s game is the second at Stamford Bridge this term and three points on home soil would result in our lead at the top of the table extending to six points before Sunday’s WSL fixtures.
When and where?
We welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge on Saturday 18 November. Kick-off is scheduled for 1.30pm (UK time).
How to follow
As always, you can follow the game through the match centre on the Official Chelsea App or across Chelsea Women’s social media channels. There will be live commentary on our Twitter page and regular updates on Facebook and Instagram.
Simply search ‘ChelseaFCW’ on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For supporters in the UK who cannot attend the match at the Bridge, it will be broadcast live on the BBC
The form
We have collected 16 points from 18 available in the WSL, with five wins and one draw to date. We have netted 18 goals and conceded just four in those matches, and have recorded clean sheets in our previous two WSL fixtures.
One Chelsea player who has a strong record against Saturday’s opponents is Fran Kirby. She has scored eight goals and assisted three more in eight WSL starts against Liverpool.
The Reds arrive in the capital fifth in the table with 11 points. They have claimed three wins, two draws, and have suffered just one defeat this season. Their previous outing ended in a 1-1 stalemate with Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea vs Liverpool: head-to-head record
Our last WSL meeting with Liverpool saw us emerge 2-1 winners at Kingsmeadow on our way to a fourth successive league title in May. Emma Koivisto gave the Reds an early lead but goals in each half from Charles and Kerr completed the comeback.
We also faced Liverpool at Kingsmeadow in the fourth round of the FA Cup in January, and edged a 3-2 thriller. Kerr netted a stunning hat-trick that day to fend off goals from Ceri Holland and Gemma Bonner.
On the opening day last season, we travelled to Prenton Park and Liverpool came out on top after two penalties from Katie Stengel, which cancelled out a third penalty of the game from Kirby.
Foodbank collection
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust will be accepting donations on behalf of the Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank before Saturday’s match.
The collection point is outside the Oswald Stoll Foundation gates on Fulham Road, between Fulham Broadway and the Britannia Entrance to the stadium, from around midday until 1.15pm.
The foodbank helps local people in crisis and is always in need of non-perishable food, long-life drinks and toiletries.
What comes next
Following the visit of Liverpool to SW6, Chelsea are back in UEFA Women’s Champions League action with French outfit Paris FC the visitors to Stamford Bridge on Thursday 23 November.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8.00pm (UK time) and the Blues will be looking to build on a strong performance against Real Madrid on matchday one.
