Chelsea began their defence of the Women’s FA Cup with a polished and ruthless performance as they swept aside Crystal Palace 5–0 in the fourth round at Kingsmeadow. Entering the competition at this stage as a WSL side, and as the current holders who have lifted the trophy six times, including four of the last five campaigns, Chelsea showed the gulf in quality and experience from the opening exchanges in a match that, despite not being broadcast, unfolded emphatically.
From the first whistle, Chelsea established territorial dominance, circulating the ball patiently and pinning Palace deep inside their own half. The breakthrough arrived in the 13th minute, from a familiar source. A free kick was won wide on the right, and the delivery into the box was whipped with pace and precision towards the heart of the penalty area. Millie Bright timed her run perfectly, powering through the defensive line and rising above her marker to meet the ball with a commanding header. The contact was clean and forceful, sending the ball beyond the goalkeeper before she could react and setting the tone for the afternoon.
Chelsea doubled their lead before the midway point of the first half with a goal that highlighted their sharp movement and composure in the final third. A spell of sustained pressure saw Palace struggle to clear their lines, and when the ball was worked centrally, Sam Kerr found herself in space just inside the area. With defenders closing in, Kerr showed her trademark calm, opening her body and guiding a controlled finish into the far corner. It was a precise strike rather than a powerful one, but perfectly placed and entirely out of the goalkeeper’s reach.
The third goal arrived shortly before the half-hour mark and effectively ended any remaining contest. Chelsea were awarded a penalty after another spell of pressure culminated in a clumsy challenge inside the box. Guro Reiten took responsibility from the spot, approaching the ball with confidence before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. Her finish was assured, struck firmly into the corner, and it ensured Chelsea went into the interval with a three-goal cushion that accurately reflected their dominance.
Any hope Palace may have had of regrouping during the break was extinguished early in the second half. Chelsea struck again from a set piece, this time a corner delivered with menace into the six-yard box. The ball caused chaos among the Palace defenders, and once more Kerr anticipated the danger quicker than anyone else. She rose strongly, directing a header goalwards from close range and adding her second of the afternoon. The goal was a classic striker’s finish, built on awareness, timing and an instinctive understanding of space.
Chelsea continued to press for more and were rewarded with a fifth goal midway through the second half. A direct run through midfield opened up the Palace defence, allowing a low shot to be driven towards goal. The goalkeeper managed to get a hand to it, parrying the ball back into the danger area, but Alyssa Thompson reacted instantly. While defenders hesitated, Thompson followed in and calmly slotted the rebound into the net, showing sharpness and hunger to capitalise on any loose ball.
From there, Chelsea managed the game with authority, rotating possession and limiting Palace to fleeting moments in Chelsea’s half. The scoreline could have been heavier, but there was a sense of control rather than urgency as the holders eased themselves through to the next round.
After the match, Chelsea’s head coach spoke of the importance of professionalism at this stage of the competition, praising her side’s focus and execution while stressing that more formidable challenges lie ahead. It was a performance that underlined why Chelsea remains the dominant force in the Women’s FA Cup, and why they will once again be considered the team to beat as they continue their pursuit of yet another trophy.
Add comment
Comments