Chelsea Women can go top when – Covid permitting – they host Manchester United at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.
It follows a majestic Madejski showing against Reading, with Fran Kirby scoring four of the Blues’ five goals without reply, leaving the champions second in the table.
“While Fran scored four goals, and four brilliant goals, it was a total team performance,” said manager Emma Hayes... although she knows her treasured No14 would be the last person in the squad to get big-headed.
Surge
Modesty could be Kirby’s middle name. In fact, make that Modesty’s majestic Madejski memories.
Her scoring surge (incorporating a perfect left foot/right foot/header hat-trick) is just reward for the months of work in regaining her strength and pace after a long lay-off for a heart virus.
Sam Kerr selflessly set up three of Kirby’s four goals, and the pair made beelines for each other to celebrate every time. Though it risks leaving Beth England temporarily on the margins, the Kerr & Kirby show is working. It now means Kirby has overtaken Kerr as current club top scorer.
How one of the smallest players in the WSL could have twice beaten Reading keeper Grace Moloney, and the Royals’ defence, with headers is little short of extraordinary.
Hayes used her substitutions wisely (as usual), but also mixed and matched her starting line-up. Sophie Ingle replaced Magda Eriksson in central defence alongside Millie Bright.
Interestingly, when Eriksson came on as sub in the second half, Ingle remained in her anchor role, and Eriksson operated on the left flank in place of Jonna Andersson… although the captain made a point of relieving Bright of the armband!
Back in shape
Hayes said that the squad was back in shape after weathering the alarm of the pre-Christmas Covid outbreak at Cobham.
The virus has, however, forced the postponement of the planned Conti Cup clash with Manchester City, which will now be moved to one of the women’s blank weekends.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Hayes said: “I do not underestimate Man United – they are top of the league for a reason.
“They have been unbelievable all year, so we’re going to have to be at our very best if we’re going to beat them. But we’ve got all the qualities in our squad to do that.”
FA Cup
Chelsea’s men racked up a 4-0 win over Morecambe in the FA Cup 3rd round as Frank Lampard limbers up for the Fulham Road derby this weekend.
Chelsea visit Craven Cottage on Saturday in a game refixed twice because of TV and Covid. If they can navigate past Luton in the next round, it would set up a winnable 5th round tie against Norwich or Barnsley.
Frank Lampard desperately needed that victory against the Shrimps, knowing that the patience of the boardroom was under strain.
“We’ve had some results we don’t like recently,” said the gaffer after Sunday’s cup tie, where he singled out young midfielder Billy Gilmour for praise.
Gilmour’s calmness on the ball is remarkable. He’s one of the most alert players in the squad, mapping out opponents’ movements in his head before making decisions.
If I had to put my 50p on any current Chelsea player still being at the club in 2031, I’d put it on Billy.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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