Melvine Malard came off the bench to score on her league debut for Chelsea as they beat Birmingham City in the Women’s Super League.
Chelsea made a blistering start and the early pressure told in the eighth minute when Lexi Potter fired high into the net after Alyssa Thompson’s clever flick had been saved by Sophie Baggaley.
Having failed to turn their dominance in goals, Chelsea became increasingly nervy in the second half as Birmingham threatened.
But any fears of a sucker punch were put to bed when Malard pounced on a poor back header from Millie Turner, nipping in ahead of Baggaley to score the second.
Chelsea could have been out of sight within 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge as they laid siege to the Birmingham goal but failed to add to Potter’s early strike.
A quick throw-in put Thompson through on goal but she was denied by Baggaley, while Sjoeke Nusken headed against the bar from the American’s cross.
Thompson was put clean through again just before the hour mark but dallied, allowing Neve Herron to get back – although the centre-back was fortunate not to concede a penalty with her desperate challenge.
Still just one behind, Birmingham grew in confidence and should have equalised when Wilma Leidhammar slid in to meet Lily Crosthwaite’s teasing cross, but the forward couldn’t beat Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
Substitute Suzu Amano twice went close for the visitors soon after, but just when Chelsea might have feared a repeat of their opening day slip against Aston Villa, summer signing Malard nipped in to seal the win.