Fiskerstrand: Chelsea performance gives us belief

Albion can take confidence into their final WSL game before the Christmas break despite their narrow defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, according to goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand.

The 24-year-old was in inspired form with a string of fine saves and felt Albion's hardworking performance deserved some reward.

“We are very disappointed with the result but we gave it our best and we're happy with the performance – we gave them a good challenge.

“I was proud watching the effort the girls put in, nobody can question it. We worked hard for each other.”

Inessa Kaagman went closest for the hosts when she saw her effort hit the crossbar in the second half.

Fiskerstrand says Albion must take plenty of confidence into Sunday's home match against Reading.

“We're in a totally different place to last season. I believe we can get higher in the table and that is our goal.

“We need to believe we can get something against every team, it doesn't matter who they are.

“We went toe-to-toe with a good side like Chelsea who are unbeaten in nearly 30 games and with a bit more luck we could have got something."

The weather was far from ideal at the People's Pension Stadium but the Norway international is used to the cold and rain and said she relished the tough conditions.

“I am Norwegian, so I am brought up in this weather! The first half was okay because we had the wind on our back, but in the second half it was against us and it was really windy.

“At one point because of the rain I couldn't see anything. But I kind of like it as well because you feel like a warrior.”