Chelsea Women 9-0 Feyenoord Women
A 9-0 victory ushered in the Sonia Bompastor era as Chelsea Women thrashed Feyenoord at Kingsmeadow, and sent a message to the team's Women's Super League rivals.
The first seven goals were netted by different players, underlining the breadth of talent in this reshaped Chelsea team, while a 17-minute hat-trick by sub Aggie Beever-Jones was the cherry on top.
Bompastor was delighted, although she had to tell her four children in the stand that matches aren't always this one-sided.
It could have been worse for the Dutch visitors. Card-happy ref Emily Heaslip booked Celainy Obispo for a foul on Mayra Ramirez in the 27th minute, then brandished a red seconds later for back-chat.
Common sense prevailed. After Bompastor and her opposite number Jessica Torny reasoned with Heaslip on the touchline, Obispo left the field, but sub Tess van Bentem was allowed to come on to even up the numbers.
Goals from busy new attacker Sandy Baltimore, Ramirez, Sjoeke Nusken and exciting Dutch debutante midfielder Wieke Kaptein put the game beyond doubt by half-time, with captain Millie Bright and striker Maika Hamano adding to Beever-Jones' trio.
Kaptein (whose first name is pronounced 'Vicky') revealed the secret to her impressive first-half Chelsea debut, just days after her 19th birthday. "Pancakes," she said firmly, adding that she was still adjusting to UK food, but was being made very welcome at the club. Her industry, pace and sharp-witted positioning is already delighting home fans.
On the debit side, Naimh Charles dislocated her right shoulder in a heavy fall, while stalwart Sophie Ingle had to limp off in the second half after aggravating a knee problem.
As for the gaffer, Bompastor said she felt "part of the Chelsea family". Her aim? "I just want the fans to say at the end of the game: 'I want to come back for the next one!'"
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
