Liverpool Women 2-1 Chelsea Women: Katie Stengel’s penalties seal shock win for Reds

Two second-half penalties from Katie Stengel earned Liverpool a shock 2-1 win over title holders Chelsea on their WSL return in entrance of a record-breaking crowd at Prenton Park.

The champions appeared set for a routine night after they had been awarded the primary penalty of the sport inside two minutes. Gilly Flaherty’s clumsy problem on Guro Reiten noticed referee Emily Heaslip level to the spot. Euro 2022 winner Fran Kirby then transformed on her first look for Chelsea since February.

But the Blues had been responsible of not taking their possibilities, with Sam Kerr, particularly, chopping a annoyed determine up entrance, as Liverpool stepped up their sport within the second half in entrance of three,006 followers – the best ever attendance for a Liverpool Women’s match at Prenton Park.

Flaherty redeemed herself from the primary half when she helped win Liverpool’s first penalty. Her flick-on from a protracted Megan Campbell throw hit Millie Bright on the arm and she or he was penalised for handball. Stengel – making her WSL debut – stepped up and simply dispatched previous Zecira Musovic.

Stengel then gained the second penalty, fouled by Chelsea debutant Kadeisha Buchanan inside the realm. The American ahead stored her composure as soon as once more and it proved to be the winner, with the Blues unable to discover a reply to Liverpool’s spirited show.

Discussing her penalties, Stengel advised Sky Sports: “I advised myself, ‘Don’t miss, please do not miss, all of those individuals will make enjoyable of me if I miss.’ I made a decision I needed to change it up and I acquired fortunate I suppose.

“When I step up for a penalty I have to decide before I take it which way I’m going, take a breath and if the goalkeeper moves early I can adjust but otherwise just stick with what I decided to do.”

There had been jubilant scenes among the many Reds at full-time, inflicting Chelsea’s first defeat in 2022. The WSL title holders have now misplaced their opening sport within the final two seasons.

How Liverpool surprised Chelsea

While Liverpool did have the nightmare begin on their WSL return, they rallied properly and will have equalised mere minutes later. After some nice play from Ceri Holland, her shot was stopped however largely fumbled by Musovic. Reds debutant Emma Koivisto was ready, however fired her effort over from a number of yards out.

Chelsea ought to have doubled their lead within the twentieth minute. Kerr latched onto Kirby’s diagonal ball earlier than lashing previous Rachael Laws. But the offside flag was raised and the aim dominated out, regardless of replays displaying she was on.

The Blues continued to see possibilities fall their approach, regardless of some spectacular play from Liverpool. Erin Cuthbert’s half-volley simply dipped previous the put up with Kerr nodding one other effort large in the direction of the top of the primary half.

It was a quieter begin to the second interval, though Liverpool suffered one other blow when Leanne Kiernan was injured simply earlier than the hour. After a sort out from Buchanan, she landed awkwardly and ultimately hobbled off with the help of two Liverpool physios. They helped her to maintain any weight off of her proper ankle as she was carried down the tunnel.

But a record-breaking Prenton Park ignited when Liverpool had been awarded the second penalty of the sport, which expertly dispatched by Stengel. However, Chelsea might have gone again forward quickly after a poor contact from Koivisto noticed the ball at Reiten’s ft. But her eventual effort, having did not spherical Flaherty, was a weak shot straight at Laws.

Liverpool started to extend the tempo and the now well-worn penalty spot was in motion once more late on as Stengel was fouled by Buchanan, with the striker stepping up once more to in the end win the sport for her aspect.

Chelsea might have snatched a degree late on as Kerr flicked the ball on for Bethany England, who was lurking within the six-yard field. However, Liverpool captain Niamh Fahey was there to nip in and see the ball away because the Reds accomplished a shocking victory.

Hayes: I did not assume we might hit a barn door at the moment

Chelsea supervisor Emma Hayes advised Sky Sports:

“They play a 4-5-1 and they don’t come out so you’ve got to be patient to break them down. They scored from a throw-in that was a penalty and the second was a transition that was another penalty. It’s not like in open play they’ve had multiple shots – they’ve just maximised the situations.

“For us going ahead, I did not assume we might hit a barn door at the moment.

“I just think we played poorly in the first half. I think sometimes we want to win things by bigger margins when we should just follow the process and keep passing the football.

“I assumed within the second half it acquired just a little bit stretched for us. We’ve nonetheless acquired new gamers coming in and so they’re nonetheless studying the system. There’s large tasks on them. But we simply chalk it off and we go once more.

“What’s to be worried about in losing a football match? I’m not emotional about it. I think we have to reflect, watch it back and next week’s a new week.”

Beard provides tactical perception to Liverpool win

Liverpool supervisor Matt Beard advised Sky Sports:

“It’s just the first game. I felt over the course of the game we deserved it. Especially with the tactical changes we made at half-time, we’ve started with three points at home.

“This was a fortress for us final season, and we have made it uncomfortable and tough for Chelsea at the moment.

“Over pre-season we’ve tested ourselves against good WSL sides, we’ve started slowly in terms of not stepping out when we can and putting them under pressure, and it just took a little bit of time.

“We just dropped Katie in on Sophie Ingle, to be a little bit more compact centrally, because Chelsea like to play through and then round.

“We stopped that taking place, and we knew we might harm them on the counter-attack. The targets they conceded final season had been both from a cross or a counter. We knew we might harm them, and fortunate sufficient for us at the moment it paid off.

“Whenever we pick a team to play a game, we’ve always got changes in mind. When you looked at the players who came on, we were physically a lot bigger.

“Chelsea play with a excessive line and are fairly expansive, so we needed to go together with Leanne and Mel on the base. It did not fairly work for us, however we modified it and acquired our rewards for that.”

Pundits: Liverpool absolutely deserve it

Sky Sports’ Karen Carney:

“To come back in the manner they have, you always felt at half-time, the score 1-0, the belief and the manager, there’s something about him.

“He all the time will get the very best out of his gamers, and within the second half they had been sensible. Chelsea had been nowhere close to adequate, particularly within the ultimate third.

“Liverpool absolutely deserve it, there were two brilliant penalties but it’s all about the manager. He’s achieved something special at that club.”

Former Arsenal striker Kelly Smith on Sky Sports:

“They were superb, organised, combative, they believed in each other.

“Furness, Daniels and Roberts got here on and had an actual impression with their power and work charge to get again.

“It was all about teamwork tonight, getting together, believing in yourself, and stifling Chelsea and they did that in the second half.”

What’s subsequent?

Sunday twenty fifth September 6:30pm


Kick off 6:45pm

Both groups have large WSL matches subsequent weekend. Liverpool tackle Everton within the first Merseyside derby of the season at Anfield subsequent Sunday, dwell on Sky Sports; kick-off 6.45pm. Chelsea additionally host Man City on the identical day; kick-off 4pm.