Chelsea top of WSL after thrashing Charlton
Malard 10′, 19′
Carpenter 13′
Beever-Jones 57′
Dragoni 66′
Melvine Malard scored twice as Chelsea hit six at Charlton to move back to the top of the Women’s Super League.
Captain Nathalie Bjorn headed the Blues in front inside three minutes, from Katie McCabe’s delivery, and Malard doubled the lead seven minutes later at The Valley.
Ellie Carpenter, who was named player of the match, made it three on 13 minutes, and Malard added her second before the 20-minute mark.
Lauren James was replaced by Erin Cuthbert after 35 minutes, and Malard made way at half-time for Aggie Beever-Jones, who added a fifth early in the second half after being set up by Keira Walsh.
Substitute Giulia Dragoni completed the scoring midway through the half, with fellow replacement Alyssa Thompson providing the assist.
Charlton almost grabbed a consolation late on when Ashleigh Neville headed a corner onto the roof of the net, but Chelsea comfortably saw out the win.
The result leaves Sonia Bompastor’s side top of the table, with a goal difference 11 better than second-placed Manchester City.
(Subs not used: Peng, Kaptein, Bronze, Buchanan)
(Subs not used: Whitehouse, Humphrey, Azzaro, Nelson-Iye)
