Club record signing Alyssa Thompson opened her Chelsea account in a 4-0 win over Paris FC as Sonia Bompastor’s side claimed their first Champions League win of the season.
Thompson, signed from Angel City of the NWSL for around £1 million on deadline day, was one of Chelsea’s bright sparks as they responded to a disappointing draw at FC Twente in their opening match with a dominant performance at Stamford Bridge.
The 20-year-old US international set up Chelsea’s second goal with a looping cross to Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s head and scored the third at the back post to kick off her new club and the Champions League.
Sandy Baltimore opened the scoring from the penalty spot after half an hour thanks to VAR intervention which recommended an on-field review after Sjoeke Nusken’s foot was trampled inside the area.
Baltimore opened the scoring for Chelsea from the penalty spot
Chelsea had struggled in front of goal up to that point, with Aggie Beever-Jones snatching the ball twice in the box, but they relaxed after the first went in and Rytting Kaneryd’s header doubled their lead six minutes before the break.
Thompson’s goal came 90 seconds after the restart as she headed towards the far post after a Keira Walsh cross to put the game out of reach for the French.
Chelsea scored a scrappy fourth goal through Erin Cuthbert after a horrific error of judgment by Paris FC goalkeeper Mylène Chavas on a corner led to a goalmouth melee.
There was some confusion when substitute Sam Kerr was initially awarded the fourth goal, but replays showed her effort was cleared off the line before the ball eventually went into Cuthbert.
Chelsea shrugged off the setback from their first-leg draw and secured a resounding victory that moves them up to fourth in the Champions League table.
