Chelsea up and running in Europe after thrashing Paris FC

 Chelsea 4 Paris FC 0

They might have had a lukewarm start to the season by their lofty standards but it was only a matter of time before Chelsea were up and running in Europe.

Sonia Bompastor made reference to dropped points domestically and in the Champions League in the match-day programme, an indication of her keenness to right a few wrongs. How relieved she will be that her side are off the mark in the very competition she was hired to win.

After a run of scoring just once in three consecutive games, this was a welcome goal-laden display by Chelsea, which Bompastor called “perfect”, and Keira Walsh proved pivotal to it.

The England midfielder was involved in Chelsea’s first three goals, underlining her importance in a side that has been short on confidence of late, though they needed a dubious VAR intervention to help them on their way.

It was a decision that stunned the Paris FC bench. Referee Michalina Diakow deemed Anaele Le Moguédec to have made enough contact with Sjoeke Nusken, who was a million miles away from Walsh’s searching cross. Sandy Baltimore needed no second invitation from the spot.

With another deep cross, Walsh picked out Joanna Rytting Kaneryd, whose powerful header sailed past Mylene Chavas, before driving a low ball into the area for Alyssa Thompson to turn in moments after the break.

Thompson, bought by Chelsea for a club record £1m fee last month from Angel City, looked a livewire up front. “She’s a young player with a lot talent, but I don’t think we’ve seen the seen the best of her yet,” said Bompastor.  

With another deep cross, Walsh picked out Joanna Rytting Kaneryd, whose powerful header sailed past Mylene Chavas, before driving a low ball into the area for Alyssa Thompson to turn in moments after the break.

Thompson, bought by Chelsea for a club record £1m fee last month from Angel City, looked a livewire up front. “She’s a young player with a lot talent, but I don’t think we’ve seen the seen the best of her yet,” said Bompastor.  

By contrast ,Aggie Beever-Jones, the young in-form England forward, was uncharacteristically quiet. The Lioness made way for Sam Kerr before the hour mark, after which Erin Cuthbert bundled in a scrappy fourth.

After announcing her international retirement earlier this week, there was also vociferous support for Millie Bright. Chelsea’s captain made two vital blocks in the first half and a crucial sliding tackle late on, all of which were met with resounding cheers.

This might still be the early stages of the Champions League, but it is a steep ascent from here for Chelsea, who welcome three-time winners Barcelona to Stamford Bridge next month. Given the Catalan club thrashed them 8-2 over two legs in last year’s semi-final, the fixture will serve as a litmus test for Chelsea’s chances of finally conquering the continent.

Match details

Chelsea (4-3-2-1) Hampton 6; Nusken 6, Bjorn 6, Bright 7, Baltimore 8 (Potter 73); Kaptein 7 (Bronze 60), Walsh 9, Cuthbert 7; Rytting Kaneryd 7 (Hamano 56), Beever-Jones 5 (Kerr 56); Thompson 7 (Reiten 56).

Subs not used: Peng, Buurman, Charles, Jean-Francois, Sarwie, Macario.