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SONIA BOMPASTOR commended Hannah Hampton for her contributions in Chelsea’s win over Brighton, despite a communication error that led to an Albion goal.
The Chelsea goalkeeper delivered several outstanding saves as Sjoeke Nusken scored twice, contributing to a 4-2 win against the Seagulls on Sunday.
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The hosts marked their ninth straight victory, reinforcing their flawless record and holding onto a five-point lead.
Bompastor’s side matched Arsenal’s record of nine consecutive wins in the top division set during the 2018-2019 season.
The high-scoring encounter at Kingsmeadow saw Chelsea concede two goals due to defensive lapses.
This included a mishap in the 71st minute when Hampton’s attempted clearance set the stage for Kiko Seike’s goal for Brighton’s second.
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Blues manager Bompastor noted: “Hannah had a fantastic game, even when considering the goal we conceded.
“But I’m not worried about that when we secure a victory.
“What matters is that my players make attempts, even if they fail. I want them to be bold and confident enough to try again.
“When you analyze her performance, the overall assessment is positive.
“She made some incredible saves that helped keep us in the match, and that’s my focus.”
The Seagulls, who were without forward Fran Kirby due to a calf injury, put forth a vigorous effort towards the end.
The visitors fired off nine shots on target throughout the match, leading to several critical saves from Hampton, including a remarkable close-range stop from Seike late in the game.
Bompastor added: “Before the game, someone in the press conference mentioned that dominating the league isn’t good for it.
“This match showed we have a competitive league.
“We expected a tough match with players coming back from international duty.
“At this time of year, fatigue can be a factor, so maintaining performance and energy levels is crucial for success.”
Former Chelsea midfielder Jelena Cankovic had an attempt cleared off the line in a frantic opening half.
Jorelyn Carabali compelled Hampton to make a leg save half an hour into the match.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 35th minute by Nusken, who capitalized on Brighton’s risk-taking efforts to play from the back, nudging the ball over the line.
Albion goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley was caught off guard by Aggie Beever-Jones, allowing Chelsea to surge to a 2-0 advantage in the 40th minute.
However, Brighton responded swiftly, with Cankovic scoring just before halftime to cut the deficit.
In the second half, Brighton brought on the highly touted forward Michelle Agyemang.
Chelsea extended their lead to 3-1 with a goal from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in the 51st minute, following a deflection of Lucy Bronze’s shot by Baggaley.
Agyemang, on loan from Arsenal, gave Brighton hope of leveling the score as she intercepted Hampton’s clearance, setting up Seike’s powerful strike.
Seike had another late chance denied by Hampton before Chelsea confirmed their win with Nusken’s header during injury time.
The result dropped Albion to fifth place ahead of their upcoming showdown against Tottenham on Saturday, while Arsenal moved up to third, with Manchester United in fourth.
Brighton manager Dario Vidosic commented: “We knew we had to start strong and aimed for a win.
“We could have scored five or six.
“We made a few small mistakes that are unusual for us, but that’s part of the learning process.
“I am genuinely proud of the performance my players delivered, especially considering the challenges leading up to this game.”
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“We lost three players in Fran (Kirby), Maisie (Symonds), and Madison (Haley) due to injuries during the international break.
“Considering the performance we delivered, it would have been ideal to gain something from the match.
But we didn’t, and we’ll learn from this to be ready for our next game on Wednesday night (in the League Cup against Bristol City).”
