Champions prove too strong for Albion

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Chelsea win 3-0 at the Broadfield Stadium in Albion's last WSL game of the year.

Bruce Talbot

2025-12-14T13:45+00:00

Madison Haley holds off Lucy Bronze. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Albion’s wait for a home win over Chelsea in the WSL goes on after the champions won 3-0 at the Broadfield Stadium on Sunday.

After suffering their first defeat in 34 league games against Everton last Sunday Chelsea were determined to avoid a repeat and they broke through just before the break thanks to a quality finish by Sandy Baltimore.

An unfortunate own goal by Caitlin Hayes six minutes into the second half left Albion with too much to do and Alyssa Thompson made it 3-0 with 17 minutes to go.

Marisa Olislagers challenges Ellie Carpenter. 📷Kyle Hemsley

There was no lack of effort from Dario Vidosic’s side in their final game of 2025, but the head coach’s options were limited by the absence of seven players through injury.

Albion settled into a back five when Chelsea had possession and they had a lot of that, soon pinning the hosts back. But Sophie Baggaley, recalled because Chiamaka Nnadozie was ruled out with a concussion, wasn’t called upon in to make a save in the opening 15 minutes.

Lauren James lashed a shot across goal and wide as Chelsea continued to dominate and Baggaley did have to intervene in the 24th minute when she stretched to tip Baltimore’s volley over after Ellie Carpenter’s right-wing cross created the danger.

Caitlin Hayes, left, and Manuela Vanegas combine to clear the danger. 📷 Kyle Hemsley

Baggaley reacted well to save Thompson’s close-range header with her legs but she had no chance when Baltimore opened the scoring two minutes before the break.

Nimble footwork opened up space on the left and Baltimore curled a right-foot shot from the edge of the box into the top corner – a high-quality finish.

Albion came out on the front foot and top scorer Kiko Seike forced Livia Peng into her first save when she touched her low drive from the left-hand side of the box past the post.

But Chelsea responded by doubling their lead on 51 minutes when Carpenter’s cross was headed past Baggaley by Caitlin Hayes, under pressure close to her own goal from substitute Sam Kerr.

Kerr was involved when Chelsea got their third in the 73rd minute, turning to create space and crossing from the left to Thompson, who beat Baggaley with a powerful right-foot finish into the bottom corner.

Kiko Seike challenges Millie Bright in the air. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Peng was tested by strikes from Seike, Fran Kirby, Carla Camacho late on as Albion sought a consolation but Chelsea kept hunting for more goals too and Baggaley denied Kerr and Carpenter in the closing stages.

Albion: Baggaley, Vanegas, Hayes, Minami, McLauchlan (Rule 67), Noordam, Symonds (Camacho 81), Olislagers, Seike, Haley (Tsunoda 81), Kafaji (Kirby 58).