Club-record signing Alyssa Thompson opened her Chelsea account in a 4-0 thrashing of Paris FC as Sonia Bompastor’s side claimed their first Champions League win of the season.
Thompson, signed from NWSL’s Angel City for around £1 million on Deadline Day, was one of the bright sparks for Chelsea. The 20-year-old USA international helped the team respond to a disappointing draw at FC Twente in their opener with a dominant performance at Stamford Bridge.
Thompson set up Chelsea’s second goal with a precise cross for Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s looping header and scored the third at the back post, marking her first goal for the club and in the Champions League.
Sandy Baltimore had opened the scoring from the penalty spot after half an hour, following a VAR intervention that recommended an on-field review. The review revealed that Sjoeke Nusken’s foot was trodden on inside the box, awarding Chelsea the penalty.
Chelsea had struggled in front of goal up to that point, with Aggie Beever-Jones twice missing chances in the box. However, after the opener, the team relaxed and Rytting Kaneryd’s header doubled their lead six minutes before the break.
Thompson’s goal came just 90 seconds after the restart, as she poked in at the back post from Keira Walsh’s cross, effectively putting the game out of reach for the French side.
Chelsea’s fourth goal came from Erin Cuthbert following a corner, after a costly misjudgment by Paris FC goalkeeper Mylene Chavas led to a goalmouth scramble. There was some initial confusion when substitute Sam Kerr was credited with the goal, but replays showed her effort had been cleared off the line before the ball eventually went in off Cuthbert.
Chelsea shrugged off the setback of their opening-game draw and delivered a resounding win that moves them up to fourth place in the Champions League standings.
https://www.skysports.com/football/chelsea-women-vs-paris-fc-women/report/549243
