Seventh heaven! Chelsea maintain perfect start to WSL season as Blues THRASH Crystal Palace 7-0 away from home, with Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Guro Reiten among the scorers

Lauren James and Lucy Bronze both found the back of the net as Chelsea cruised to a dominant win over WSL newcomers Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Despite gaining three points in their season opener against Aston Villa, the Blues’ narrow 1-0 win felt uncertain. Only a late double save from Hannah Hampton ensured new manager Sonia Bompastor started her tenure with a win.

A win today against newly promoted Crystal Palace was not only important for the points, but also crucial in sending a message to the rest of the league. And that’s exactly what the reigning champions set out to do, sacking seven of last season’s championship winners.

Palace have now had a rude awakening in the top flight, conceding eleven goals in the first two games of the season.

There were periods in the first half when it looked like Palace might surprise Chelsea on half-time, but ultimately the final pass lacked the quality needed.

Lucy Bronze also found the back of the net against the Eagles and celebrated with Guro Reiten

The Blues’ win made them two wins from two to start the 2024-2025 WSL season

And it was from one of these cases that the visitors struck. Palace were making a few passes in the middle of the park when a ball intended for striker Katie Stengel fell short and was intercepted by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.

Rytting Kaneryd – already with a goal and an assist in her first two games – launched down the right flank and cut the ball back for Aggie Beever-Jones, who drilled it past Crystal Palace goalkeeper Shae Yanez.

Angers echoed around Selhurst Park as Palace fans expressed their frustration at how quickly their positive play had unraveled.

21-year-old Aggie Beever-Jones made her first start under new manager Sonia Bompastor, replacing Colombian forward Mayra Ramirez in the number nine role. The young England international was energetic and direct and showed early signs of a promising partnership with Lucy Bronze on the right flank – a partnership that could be very rewarding.

In the second half Chelsea turned the screw. First, a Palace kick from the penalty area landed at the feet of Bronze, and with poise and precision the Lionesses star stroked the ball into the top right corner.

And another ten minutes later the Blues struck again, this time through the newly introduced Ramirez, who expertly found Lauren James at the back post for an easy tap-in.

At this point the floodgates had well and truly opened, with Guro Reiten scoring a brace, Nathalie Bjorn and Catarina Macario also getting on the scoresheet, the latter smashing home for good measure in the 95th minute.

Sonia Bompastor has started her Chelsea career with two WSL wins in as many games

Propelled by passionate support, Crystal Palace continued until the final whistle

Guro Reiten scored two goals in the space of sixteen minutes to put Chelsea further ahead

The Selhurst Park crowd rallied behind the home side until the final whistle, with chants of ‘Eagles’ echoing through the stands whenever Palace managed brief spells of possession.

But their support wasn’t enough to derail the reigning champions, who were cruising.

Next up for the Blues is Manchester United at home (at Kingsmeadow), while Palace travel to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester next weekend, where they will hope they can turn the tide after a disappointing start. to their WSL season.