The Lionesses striker got the nod up top ahead of Catarina Macario and she took her opportunity, kickstarting a big win for the Blues.
Goals from Aggie Beever-Jones and Maika Hamano saw Chelsea start their Women's Super League defence in ruthless fashion on Friday night, the Blues defeating Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in a 2-1 win. Expectations are certainly high in the blue corner of London after Sonia Bompastor's first season in charge, which saw her side go unbeaten in domestic competitions as they won an invincible treble. On their first outing of the new campaign, the champions showed just why they are capable of such remarkable achievements, too, with them clinical in front of goal in a competitive contest between two teams expected to battle for the WSL title.
Chelsea were missing several stars for their season opener, with all of Mayra Ramirez, Lauren James, Naomi Girma and Lucy Bronze watching from the sidelines due to injuries. It was the player in the latter's place, though, who stepped up and really caught the eye, as Ellie Carpenter showed just why she is a world-class player. It was the two-time European champion who delivered the perfect cross for Beever-Jones to break the deadlock and set the Blues on their way to victory. That lead was doubled just past the hour by Hamano, with Wieke Kaptein this time causing havoc down City's left with a ball that somehow found its way all the way through to the lively Japan international, whose display deserved a goal.
City, in their first game under new head coach Andree Jeglertz, had their chances. Alex Greenwood hit the woodwork with a stunning free-kick, Khadija Shaw was twice denied when one-on-one with Hannah Hampton and they would get a goal back to make things interesting, when a free-kick hit the unlucky Niamh Charles and went into the back of her own net. However, the difference between these two was simply that Chelsea didn't waste their opportunities. That's a big reason why they've won all of the last six WSL titles and why they remain the team to beat.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (7/10):
Made a number of good saves, particularly the two to deny Shaw in the first half.
Millie Bright (7/10):
Was generally solid, especially given she was up against one of the league's best strikers in Shaw, though was not so convincing from the free-kick which saw City pull one back.
Nathalie Bjorn (7/10):
Had a little iffy moment that allowed Shaw in for a big chance. Other than that, she stood tall, with her quality in possession standing out in particular.
Niamh Charles (7/10):
Was unlucky to be credited with an own goal, particularly on a night where she did little wrong. Hemp didn't get much joy down her side as a result, with there several instances of her intervening to break up attacks.
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Ellie Carpenter (8/10):
Brought plenty of energy down the right and created chances when she got into the final third, including the one Beever-Jones converted to break the deadlock.
Keira Walsh (7/10):
Helped Chelsea ensure the game was played more on their terms than one might've expected.
Erin Cuthbert (7/10):
Worked hard on and off the ball to ensure City had no rhythm in the middle of the park.
Sandy Baltimore (6/10):
Should've won her team a penalty when a smart strike hit Prior's hand early on but was quiet after that, which was a surprise given how explosive she was last season.
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Wieke Kaptein (7/10):
Battled well in midfield, winning plenty of duels, and kept the ball well. Great run and cross to create Chelsea's second.
Aggie Beever-Jones (7/10):
Great off-ball movement to get in behind Rose and on the end of Carpenter's cross for the opener.
Maika Hamano (8/10):
Lively performance in which she picked up plenty of second balls to get Chelsea on the attack. Deserved the goal she scored to double the lead.
Subs & Manager
Catarina Macario (6/10):
Didn't get much service in her half an hour on the field, though did hold the ball up well and link play when she could.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (N/A):
Came on to help see the game out, doing some good defensive work as part of that.
Oriane Jean-Francois (N/A):
Another sub who did good defensive work to ensure Chelsea got all three points.
Sjoeke Nusken (N/A):
A late introduction as the game wound down.
Sonia Bompastor (7/10):
Didn't have too many big selection calls to make when it came to her XI, given several players were missing with knocks. Decision to pick Beever-Jones over Macario paid off when the England star broke the deadlock, though, while Hamano, a rotational player at times, took her chance to shine.
