Chelsea kept up with Manchester City in WSL 1 on Sunday with an enthralling 6-3 win over Liverpool, while Birmingham City managed a narrow 1-0 success away at Notts County.

Captain fantastic

Birmingham City travelled to Meadow Lane in high spirits having beaten Doncaster Belles and drawn with Arsenal last week, with them looking to be getting the results that their performances had deserved. Still, Notts were equally as buoyant after having notched their first win of the campaign last time out against Liverpool.

Although the hosts had a handful of good chances in the first half and Angharad James drew a fine save from Sophie Baggley, her shot from outside the box bound for the top corner, Notts never really found their footing in the game, looking disjointed for most of the 90.

Conversely, Birmingham settled into an early rhythm, staying tight at the back and going forward with real purpose, fluid passing outfoxing their opposition.

But even still, the game looked to be heading for a disappointing 0-0 draw until Notts conceded yet another soft free kick near the half-way line. The set-piece was taken quickly; Jo Potter delivering into the box and Emily Westwood taking advantage of the slack Notts defending to connect with the ball and head over the helpless Carly Telford in the County goal.

Jo Potter grabbed the assist for Birmingham's winning strike. (Photo: Birmingham City LFC)
Jo Potter (left) grabbed the assist for Birmingham's winning strike. (Photo: Birmingham City LFC)

Wheatsheaf Park hosts goal-fest

When Katie Zelem put Liverpool a goal up within a first minute at Chelsea’s Wheatsheaf Park home, it looked like the current champions were on course for their first defeat of the season.

However, Karen Carney restored parity just before the 10-minute mark, rounding Siobhan Chamberlain and slotting into the open goal before Fran Kirby gave the hosts the lead half an hour in, dribbling past three defenders before finding the back of the net.

Kirby was involved again less than 10 minutes later, her lay-off to Drew Spence giving Chelsea a two goal advantage. Not to be outdone by her teammates, Eniola Aluko made it 4-1 just before half time to leave Liverpool wondering what had just happened.

The Reds gave themselves hope in the second half though. Caroline Weir fired home from a direct free-kick before Emma Lundh made it 4-3 just 60 seconds later.

With the home fans getting nervous, Chelsea once more took the initiative with Kirby opening the lead back up after being found by Hannah Blundell in the box.

The Blues put the game to bed with 25 minutes left on the clock; Spence mopping up the scraps after Kirby’s blocked effort. Although both looked like they could yet add to their tallies before full time, neither did and the breathless game finished 6-3. 

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About the author
Sophie L
Neutral football fan travelling around Europe, covering matches and bothering footballers for interviews