Lauren James Returns as Chelsea beat Charlton 4-0

Photo Credit: Chelsea FC

The Blues’ first game of 2025 was nothing short of action packed. Lauren James returned to the Chelsea side, playing 45 minutes, however there was still no sign of Sam Kerr.

Though Charlton presented a surprising threat and Hampton made two early saves, Chelsea was the only team to find the back of the net. The scoreline wouldn't have been the same without Jess Gray's amazing saves, playing an impressive game at Kingsmeadow.

It took forty minutes for Chelsea to open the scoresheet as Charlton’s back five put up a fight. Ramirez scored a stunning header assisted by Bronze. A penalty by Guro Reiten, sending Gray the wrong way, gave Chelsea a doubled lead during seven minutes of added time in the first half.

On her 50th appearance, Aggie Beever-Jones, subbed in at halftime, scores the third goal of the game, just three minutes into the second half.

With the fourth and final goal, Niamh Charles notches her first of the season. She tapped the ball in after it rolled across the penalty box and landed at her feet.

Following a foul by O'Rourke on Kaptein, referee Joanne Hornwood issued a yellow card to the Charlton player during stoppage time. Five minutes of on-field care later, the teenager left the pitch on a stretcher, her name chanted by the crowd. With all substitutions made, Chelsea's manager, Bompastor, had only ten players for the game's final moments. We're hoping Kaptein's injury is not as serious as it looked and are looking forward to her return to the pitch.

Despite Chelsea's possession dominance, The Addicks spirited fightback, fueled by their chanting supporters, was evident. BBC Sport reported that Chelsea managed 11 of 30 shots on target, while Charlton only managed 3.

Charlton displayed admirable performance and determination while playing the WSL champions. They deserve to be proud of their team.

TEAMS

Chelsea:  4-2-3-1

Hampton

Bronze

Bjorn

Bright

Baltimore (Charles 46’)

Cuthburt (Nusken 55’)

Jean-Francois

Reiten

James (Beever-Jones 46’)

Macario (Kaptein 46’)

Ramirez (Hamano 56’)

Charlton:  5-4-1

Gray

Pearse

Skeels

N’Dow

Newsham

Hutton (O’Rourke 63’)

Filis (Chime 90’)

Bradley

Muya (Bashford 76’)

Brazil (Siber 76’)

Barton (Primus 63’)