The Blues swiftly returned to winning ways in the Women’s Super League (WSL) with a 3-0 victory over Brighton on Sunday.

Sonia Bompastor’s side dismissed any suggestions of a second consecutive league defeat, taking control of the early proceedings and maintaining possession for the majority of the contest.

While the same could be said for the Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Everton last weekend as the side narrowly failed to find the target despite having 30 shots and 18 corners, Chelsea this time showed their cutting edge to convert their opportunities.

“I’m really pleased to be able to travel here and put on that performance. We scored some great goals, three goals and a clean sheet,” said Chelsea manager Bompastor. 

“It was a really complete performance and some individual performances as well.” 

One of the players Bompastor was surely referring to is Sandy Baltimore, who crucially fired the Blues ahead just before half time. 

With Brighton’s compact midfield forcing Chelsea’s attacks to transpire from the wide areas, the Seagulls’ backline were able to head away and intercept the Blues’ crosses with reasonable comfort. 

The hosts were, however, caught out when Baltimore later took the more direct approach, driving forward before cutting inside and unleashing a strike into the top far corner. 

Two goals later, Bompastor revealed her half-time message was to “make more runs in behind the backline”, with the Frenchwoman’s tactical tweak working to triumphant effect in an equally attacking second half.

A run in behind the defence from Chelsea substitute Sam Kerr was tracked all the way by Brighton’s Caitlin Hayes, however, the centre-back inadvertently directed her defensive header past Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley.

While Alyssa Thompson’s later conversion materialised from Kerr chopping inside and driving a low ball across for the winger to sweep into the net, other chances untaken by the visitors indeed came from balls in behind. 

Kerr first latched onto a through ball from Keira Walsh before her strike against the angle was parried away by Baggaley, while substitute midfielder Wieke Kaptein ran beyond a fatigued Nadine Noordam and fired her attempt against the body of Hayes. 

Bompastor will surely look for her tactical tweaks to again make the difference on Wednesday night as the Blues travel to face Wolfsburg in a heavyweight Champions League clash. 

“It’s a crucial game against Wolfsburg,” said Bompastor.

“We want to finish in the top four so we need to win that game as well.”