Charlton suffer thumping as Chelsea return to top
Chelsea returned to the top of the Women's Super League with a thumping victory over bottom side Charlton.
The Blues scored four goals in the first 19 minutes at The Valley, leaving Karen Hills' side stunned.
Katie McCabe crossed into the box and Nathalie Bjorn rose highest to send a looping header into the far corner after three minutes.
Melvine Malard scored Chelsea's second goal from close range as Anna Koivunen fumbled the ball into her own net.
Lauren James' strike from the edge of the box was parried by Koivunen, but Ellie Carpenter was first to react to slot home for her second goal in as many games.
Sonia Bompastor's side kept pushing forward and Koivunen made two saves from Sandy Baltimore and Carpenter before Malard poked home for Chelsea's fourth.
Malard thought she had completed a 12-minute hat-tick but the goal was ruled out for a tight offside in a rare reprieve for Charlton.
The only moment of disappointment for the Blues came when James had to be substituted after 35 minutes, having gone down when trying to run on to the ball.
After the break, substitute Aggie Beever-Jones latched on to a clever flick from Keira Walsh to score her first goal since September 2025, further increasing Chelsea's lead.
Giulia Dragoni scored her first Chelsea goal with a brilliant turn and finish to wrap up the victory.
Chelsea are level on points with champions Manchester City but have a superior goal difference, while Charlton remain bottom of the league with zero points from eight games.
Chelsea analysis: Blues continue to rack up goals
Manchester City were comfortably the best side in the league last season as Chelsea finished six points behind them in third.
This season, they are not leaving anything to chance and the importance of goal difference is not lost on a side who won the league by that margin three seasons ago.
Chelsea scored seven more goals than Man City in the 2023-24 season and they have already scored 11 goals more than their rivals this term.
Bompastor's side kept pushing for goals until the end and both Baltimore and Maika Hamano crashed efforts off the woodwork.
Alyssa Thompson was clear on goal but arrowed her shot wide, with Charlton lucky not to concede more.
After an opening day draw against Aston Villa, Chelsea have won their past seven league fixtures and seem determined to reclaim the title from Man City.
Charlton analysis: Another bruising defeat
Charlton have looked ill-equipped for the league since they were promoted and Chelsea ruthlessly exposed all their weaknesses in a comprehensive thrashing.
For the fourth time this season, they conceded four or more goals in a league match.
Despite the defeat, Koivunen made some key saves to deny Thompson and Manaka Matsukubo, but the damage was done in the first 20 minutes.
As well as conceding 25 goals, they have failed to score in five of their eight matches.
Charlton face fellow newcomers Crystal Palace next Sunday as their hunt for league points continues.
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Last Updated 1st November 2026 at 16:27
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home team, Charlton Athletic
Manager: Karen Hills
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
away team, Chelsea
Manager: Sonia Bompastor
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Match ends, Charlton Athletic Women 0, Chelsea Women 6.
Second Half ends, Charlton Athletic Women 0, Chelsea Women 6.
Attempt missed. Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Katie McCabe with a cross following a set piece situation.
Maika Hamano (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Keira Flannery (Charlton Athletic Women).
Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Lucy Fitzgerald.
Attempt blocked. Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sandy Baltimore.
Giulia Dragoni (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Leighanne Robe (Charlton Athletic Women).
Foul by Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea Women).
Ashleigh Neville (Charlton Athletic Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.
Attempt missed. Veerle Buurman (Chelsea Women) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Katie McCabe with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Leighanne Robe.
Attempt missed. Ashleigh Neville (Charlton Athletic Women) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Keira Flannery with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Charlton Athletic Women. Conceded by Veerle Buurman.
Offside, Chelsea Women. Aggie Beever-Jones is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Katie McCabe.
Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Keira Flannery.
Attempt blocked. Giulia Dragoni (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alyssa Thompson.
