Man City 2-0 Chelsea: Disappointing Blues fall flat in Manchester - player ratings and report

Goals from Filippa Angeldahl (20) and Lauren Hemp (30) handed the home side a comfortable 2-0 win as Chelsea dropped to third in the Women’s Super League.

Emma Hayes welcomed both Maren Mjelde and captain Magdelena Eriksson to the side in place of Eve Perriset and the injured Millie Bright as Chelsea looked to build on the impressive midweek win away at Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

It was the home side that would start the brighter as good work between Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp saw the latter test Katrin-Ann Berger in the early stages of the clash - though Sam Kerr made her presence felt with a strong run and shot that tested Ellie Roebuck shortly afterwards.

The Australian would go close again just after the 10 minute mark when good pressing from Erin Cuthbert saw Kerr drive at goal from distance. Sophie Ingle would then test Roebuck with a fierce 20 yard drive as Chelsea grew into the opening period.

However, just as Chelsea began to get a foothold in the game, Angeldahl would put Gareth Taylor’s City side into the lead - the Swede hitting a stunning 25-yard drive beyond Berger and into the top corner.

Chelsea would then go two behind on the half hour mark through another great strike, this time from Hemp. The pace and power of Kelly once again caused the Blues problems down the right hand side and when her looping ball reached Coombs, the midfielder used great strength to lay it off to Hemp who fired a suptumous strike into the corner.

Hayes would read the riot act ten minutes before the half time break as she made a double substitution, replacing Sophie Ingle and Lauren James as the Chelsea attempted to turn the tide in a game that was running away from the champions.

As expected, Chelsea would start the second period in determined mood and almost halfed the deficit minutes after the restart when Esme Morgan was forced to clear off the line from a dangerous corner.

Roebuck would be called into action with 15 minutes left on the clock as she pulled off a smart save at her near post from Kerr as Chelsea looked to force a way back into the game. However, try as they might, Chelsea were unable to have any real influence on the game as they lost for only the second time this season in Manchester.

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Player ratings

Ann-Katrin Berger: Little she could do about either goal. 6/10.

Sophie Ingle: Took off by Hayes after 35 minutes with City dominating the midfielder. Not her best game. 4/10.

Jess Carter: One of Chelsea’s most consistent but really struggled with the outstandng Chloe Kelly, who had a great game. 5/10.

Melanie Leupolz: Was quiet in the Chelsea engine room and struggled against an excellent City midfield performance. 5/10.

Lauren James: Replaced after 35 minutes as Hayes looked to turn the game in Chelsea’s favour. 5/10.

Guro Reiten: So often the creator, the Norway international couldn’t spark her side as City controlled the game. 6/10.

Magdelena Eriksson (c): Tried her best up against Bunny Shaw but and managed to keep her off the scoresheet but was given a real rough ride. 6/10.

Maren Mjelde: Very quiet and taken off with 25 minutes to play. 5/10.

Sam Kerr: Continued to drive at the City defence with her trademark pace and power but was handled fairly well by the home side. 6/10.

Erin Cuthbert: One of few players Chelsea players who get a pass mark. Continued to press throughout and tried her best to get her side going but little worked around her. 7/10.

Kadeisha Buchanan: Struggled with the pace and power of City’s front three. 5/10.

Subs:

Niamh Charles (for Ingle 35 mins): Pressed and harried but was unable turn the game in her side’s favour. 6/10.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (for James 35 mins): Her introduction came early but couldn’t turn the tide much like Charles. 6/10.

Jelena Čanković (for Mjelde 65 mins): Came on with 25 minutes to play with the game running away from Chelsea. 6/10.

Jessie Fleming (for Cuthbert 80 mins): Replaced the injured Cuthbert late on. N/A.

Chelsea player of the match:

Erin Cuthbert

By Chelsea standards - this was poor. However, one player never let her head drop and continued to press and probe until her late injury and that was Scotland international Cuthbert.