Match ends, Chelsea Women 1, Manchester United Women 0.
Chelsea swiftly regained top spot in the Women's Super League as Maren Mjelde's penalty saw off a resolute Manchester United side at Kingsmeadow.
Having been deposed from the summit by Manchester City's 5-0 win over West Ham in the early kick-off, Mjelde's second-half spot-kick ensured that demotion was a brief one.
United vehemently protested against the penalty, convinced Millie Turner had got a touch on the ball when she challenged Fran Kirby, but referee Jack Packman pointed to the spot.
Norway defender Mjelde tucked home to give Chelsea a victory watched by 4,790 spectators - a record attendance for a WSL game held at a non-Premier League stadium.
Chelsea were far from their best and only the woodwork denied United a late equaliser as Blues keeper Ann-Katrin Berger superbly tipped Ella Toone's volley onto the underside of the bar and out.
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After a cagey first half devoid of clear-cut chances, Blues ultimately emerged triumphant by converting a purple patch of supremacy around the hour mark.
Scotland international Erin Cuthbert should have fired them ahead as she raced on to a ball over the top of the United defence but steered wide with only keeper Mary Earps to beat.
However, the introduction of England striker Kirby from the bench paid instant dividends as, within a minute, she drew the foul from Turner, who appeared to get a touch on both ball and player.
Earps got a hand to Mjelde's penalty but could not keep it out as Chelsea, who this week added Australia striker Sam Kerr to their attacking options come January, made it five wins from six WSL games.
United, promoted as Championship winners last season, were left to once again rue fine margins, having lost 1-0 to the division's leading three sides - Manchester City, Arsenal and, now, Chelsea.
They were unfortunate not to earn a point when Toone's volley from Jess Sigsworth's cross was diverted on to the bar by Berger, with the rebound hitting the keeper on the back but somehow staying out.
Line-ups
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 30Berger
- 18Mjelde
- 4Bright
- 16Eriksson
- 25Andersson
- 22CuthbertBooked at 45mins
- 5Ingle
- 10JiSubstituted forCarterat 87'minutes
- 23BachmannSubstituted forSpenceat 79'minutes
- 9England
- 11ReitenSubstituted forKirbyat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Blundell
- 7Carter
- 14Kirby
- 21Cooper
- 24Spence
- 28Telford
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 27Earps
- 4TurnerBooked at 14mins
- 5McManusBooked at 42mins
- 21Turner
- 2Harris
- 10ZelemSubstituted forTooneat 74'minutes
- 12Ladd
- 18HansonSubstituted forSigsworthat 59'minutes
- 14Groenen
- 11Galton
- 16JamesSubstituted forRossat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Okvist
- 7Toone
- 9Sigsworth
- 15Mikalsen
- 17Arnot
- 19Ross
- 20Smith
- Referee:
- Jack Packman
- Attendance:
- 4,790
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away3
- Corners
- Home8
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away11
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Chelsea Women 1, Manchester United Women 0.
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Magdalena Eriksson.
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Francesca Kirby (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Hayley Ladd (Manchester United Women).
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Beth England.
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Jessica Carter (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jessica Sigsworth (Manchester United Women).
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Jessica Carter replaces Ji So-Yun.
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Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Leah Galton.
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Millie Bright.
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Attempt saved. Ella Toone (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United Women. Jane Ross replaces Lauren James.
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Attempt saved. Francesca Kirby (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Drew Spence.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Drew Spence replaces Ramona Bachmann.
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Attempt missed. Lauren James (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Jackie Groenen.
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Foul by Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women).
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Jackie Groenen (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Beth England (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Erin Cuthbert with a cross.
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Offside, Chelsea Women. Maren Mjelde tries a through ball, but Francesca Kirby is caught offside.