- Albion rue what might have been after 1-1 draw with Chelsea
- Aileen Whelan breaks the deadlock late on
- Adelina Engman scores an added-time equaliser
- Albion’s attention turns to a Continental Tyres Cup match against Charlton next week
Both goals came in the closing ten minutes as Aileen Whelan fired Albion in front before Emma Hayes’s side bounced back to claim a point in stoppage time.
It was an Albion performance that showed plenty of resolve against a Chelsea side that included 10 senior internationals, and one that will give Hope Powell plenty of encouragement going forward.
Powell made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Bristol City on the opening day of the season. Danique Kerkdijk replaced Fern Whelan to make her first Albion start, while Ini Umotong came in for Kayleigh Green up front.
Albion’s defence was kept busier during the opening 45 minutes, and had to deal with Chelsea’s fluid movement in attack. England international Millie Bright had the first clear-cut opportunity when she played a neat one-two with Drew Spence, but fired her attempt over the bar.
Bethany England and Erin Cuthbert looked lively for the Blues, and England flashed an effort wide before Cuthbert stung the fingertips of Albion's standout performer Megan Walsh moments later.
Fliss Gibbons epitomised Albion’s spirit in the first half when she made a brilliant last-ditch challenge to deny Cuthbert following England’s cut-back.
Cuthbert then sent an enticing cross into the box that narrowly evaded Spence, before she got on the end of Maren Mjelde’s searching ball with a sliding effort that went just over the bar.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic though, and Ann-Katrin Berger had her defence to thank after spilling a corner from Gibbons, while Lea Le Garrec came close to breaking the deadlock in Albion’s favour with a long-distance strike that went just past the left post.
Walsh had to be alert shortly after the restart when making a two-handed save to deny Spence, before gathering Cuthbert’s follow-up attempt.
Albion and the majority of the 1,352 spectators inside The People’s Pension Stadium were encouraged as the score remained goalless. Ellie Brazil’s cross narrowly missed the waiting Umotong inside the area before Le Garrec shot over the target from distance.
The French midfielder then provided a chance for Victoria Williams, who stretched to head the ball wide from a corner at the far post.
Powell’s team continued to hold firm, but could have been undone in the blink of an eye when Guro Reiten flashed a ball across the face of goal with several Chelsea players waiting, but none unable to apply a finishing touch.
With time running out it was Albion who struck the opening goal courtesy of Whelan who was brilliantly teed up by Kerkdijk’s header inside the box and fired an unstoppable strike past Berger in the 84th minute.
It looked like the Seagulls would hold on for a famous win against their illustrious opponents, but substitute Engman took advantage of some indecision in the Albion box and scored from close range in stoppage time.
A good result but Albion will rue what might have been, as they turn their attention to the Continental Tyres Cup tie away at Charlton. However they’ll head into next week’s game full of confidence after two solid WSL performances.
ALBION: Walsh; Lundorf, Williams, Kerkdijk, Gibbons; Connolly, Bowman, Le Garrec (Simpkins 84); Brazil, Umotong (Green 65), A.Whelan.
SUBS NOT USED: Harris (GK), F. Whelan, Barton, Natkiel, Nilden.