How Kerr changed the picture for Chelsea against Brighton

Chelsea’s familiar struggles against a deep block resurfaced in the first half, but Sam Kerr’s return provided the missing reference point after the break

Chelsea got back to winning ways in the WSL against Brighton. Credit: Getty Images

Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea bounced back promptly after their shock defeat by Everton in the previous round of the Women’s Super League. Chelsea struck three times against a bogey Brighton side that has caused problems for the defending champions in the past. The three points helped them keep pace with league leaders Manchester City, who sit six points ahead of the Blues on 30 points.

The French manager made two changes after the defeat by the Merseyside club. She decided to play both Lucy Bronze and Ellie Carpenter on the right-hand side, with the England international operating as the right-sided centre-back and giving the Australian more freedom to attack.

The Blues built out in a back three and used a fluid front-line setup that has been a constant theme throughout. Players such as Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson and Carpenter created a front line that kept rotating, adding chaos to their opponents’ organised backline.

The USWNT winger Alyssa Thompson scored once and assisted another, while Sam Kerr made her presence felt with a timely run and assist for Thompson’s goal. Chelsea continued their wide chance-creation tactics and were massively helped by having a reference point in attack in the second half.

Brighton struggled to generate meaningful chances, taking just eight shots in the game, with no big chances and none of them coming from inside the 15-yard zone. The Seagulls committed a lot of bodies in defence and, as a result, found their attackers isolated up front, struggling to challenge Chelsea’s back line.

Here is how the game panned out in the two halves.