Chelsea Women Triumph 4-0 Over Charlton in FA Cup Opener

Chelsea Women kicked off their FA Cup campaign with a dominant 4-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, January 12, 2025. The match marked their return from a four-week winter break and set a positive tone for their season ahead.

The Blues, led by captain Millie Bright, showcased their attacking prowess early on. Lauren James opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a precise finish, followed by a stunning strike from Catarina Macario just before halftime. The second half saw further dominance, with Guro Reiten and Mayra Ramírez adding to the tally, sealing a comprehensive win.

Charlton Athletic, a Women’s Championship side, struggled to contain Chelsea’s relentless pressure. Despite a spirited effort from captain Mia Skeels and midfielder Ruby Brazil, the visitors were unable to break through Chelsea’s defense, marshaled by Bright and Nathalie Björn.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes praised her team’s performance, stating, “It’s always challenging to return from a break, but the players showed great focus and intensity. This is the standard we aim to maintain.” Charlton’s head coach, Karen Hills, acknowledged the gap in quality, saying, “We knew it would be tough, but this experience will help us grow.”

The match was officiated by Joanne Horwood and streamed globally on YouTube and the FA Player. Chelsea will now look ahead to their next fixture, while Charlton shifts focus to their Championship campaign.