After a record $1.1 million transfer fee and recovering from injury, US international Naomi Girma makes her official WSL debut for Chelsea. The Blues acquired Girma in the most recent transfer window from the San Diego Wave after speculations that the defender was going to move to the European league. Since joining, her debut had been put off due to a calf issue. Unfortunately, the former NWSL star would go on to leave the game with an injury.
Blues' shaky defense exposed in Lasada's goal
The game started with Brighton having a few chances to score early, but Chelsea's defense held them at bay. 16 minutes in, Chelsea's Sandy Baltimore slotted the ball into the back of the net with a powerful strike with her left foot. It didn't take long for the Blues on concede however, with Brighton's Marisa Olislagers equalizing with a goal in the 22nd minute.
Chelsea's defense continued to struggle with Brighton's Vicky Lasada scoring after a throw in late in the first half. Chelsea, undefeated this season, looked shaky in this first half. While maintaining most of the possession, the Blues had given away two goals.
Substitutions and recovery attempts
Chelsea made a substitution at the half, with Kiera Walsh (on minute management) making way for Oriane Jean-Francois. The former PSG player nearly equalized 25 seconds into the second half. The second half started much like the first, with Brighton having more of the chances to score with Chelsea's defense looking lost in space. On the offensive side, English forward Lauren James made some good crosses in the box early, but Chelsea couldn't capitalize. The Blues, more noticeably their defense, look confused, disheartened, and tired.
The game went from bad to worse when Naomi Girma went down in the 56th minute, causing even more trouble for Chelsea. The defender already had her debut delayed due to a knock to her calf following the December international break with the United States and another injury is the last thing that she, or the team need right now. Girma was subbed out, unable to continue.
Chelsea found the equalizer, leveling the score at the hour mark. James, who looked hungry coming into the second half, scored her third goal of the season, which put Chelsea right back in the game.
Since James scored the equalizer, Chelsea struggled to get another goal. With shots going wide or right to the goalkeeper, the Blues couldn't pull off the win. The team looked completely disjointed with a defense that didn't know how to defend and an offense that couldn't handle Brighton's locked in defense.