Match ends, Chelsea Women 3, Manchester City Women 1.
Maren Mjelde's controversial first-half penalty set reigning Women's Super League champions Chelsea on their way to victory in a lively tussle with last season's runners-up Manchester City.
Mjelde slotted home after City's Ellen White was penalised for handball, although the ball struck Demi Stokes.
But fortunate as their opener was, Chelsea dominated the second half.
Sam Kerr tapped in a second and, after Chloe Kelly's penalty gave City hope, Kirby's composed finish made it 3-1.
Read also: CM takes stock of flood-affected Chitrakoot
England striker Kirby, playing wide on the right, was the standout performer in a stylish win that extends Chelsea's unbeaten WSL run to 25 games and takes them up to third in the table after four games.
A thrilling first league meeting between the two sides this season went the same way as Chelsea's 2-0 Community Shield success in August.
City, who are fifth in the table following their first loss of the season, will feel hard done by following the spot-kick, which also saw White cautioned.
Kirby shines in wide role

Kirby was at her relentless best, teeing up numerous chances with a combination of direct running, pace and wonderful vision.
Read also: Jharkhand Job Aspirants Protest: Tear Gas, Lathi-Charge Near Assembly in Ranchi
The Blues edged a tight first period, with Pernille Harder crowded out by Lucy Bronze when well placed and Kerr blasting a half-volley over the bar, while City's best chance saw USA midfielder Sam Mewis' shot strike the bottom of the post.
Mjelde's calmly side-footed penalty gave the hosts the chance to defend deeper and utilise their pace on the break and they made the most of it.
Chelsea seized control as Erin Cuthbert came close to doubling the lead with a fierce low strike that went a fraction wide, while Kerr twice wasted wonderful opportunities from Kirby passes from the right.
Read also: Supreme Court Initiates Contempt Action Against MP Government Over Bhopal Sealing Drive
The impressive Cuthbert was then also guilty of some wayward finishing, blasting the ball over as she raced through on goal.
But the pressure told when Kerr's radar returned from yet another Kirby pass, this time the Australian netting from close range.
Millie Bright's handball enabled City to get on the scoresheet inside the final 20 minutes.
Kirby settled the nerves in the closing stages, however, rounding Ellie Roebuck and slotting the ball home.
Line-ups
Chelsea Women
- 30Berger
- 18MjeldeBooked at 88mins
- 4BrightBooked at 33mins
- 16Eriksson
- 25Andersson
- 10JiSubstituted forIngleat 85'minutes
- 8Leupolz
- 22Cuthbert
- 14Kirby
- 20KerrSubstituted forCharlesat 74'minutes
- 23HarderSubstituted forEnglandat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Thorisdottir
- 5Ingle
- 9England
- 11Reiten
- 17Fleming
- 21Charles
- 28Telford
- 31Fleming
Man City Women
- 26Roebuck
- 20Bronze
- 6Houghton
- 4Bonner
- 3Stokes
- 22MewisBooked at 45mins
- 24Walsh
- 19WeirSubstituted forScottat 81'minutes
- 16ParkSubstituted forStanwayat 60'minutes
- 18WhiteBooked at 36minsSubstituted forLavelleat 60'minutes
- 9Kelly
Substitutes
- 1Bardsley
- 7Coombs
- 8Scott
- 10Stanway
- 11Beckie
- 14Morgan
- 21Lavelle
- 27Greenwood
- 34Benameur
Live Text
Second Half ends, Chelsea Women 3, Manchester City Women 1.
Foul by Rose Lavelle (Manchester City Women).
Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Demi Stokes (Manchester City Women).
Maren Mjelde (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Keira Walsh (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jill Scott.
Maren Mjelde (Chelsea Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Georgia Stanway (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Maren Mjelde (Chelsea Women).
Jill Scott (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Melanie Leupolz (Chelsea Women).
Attempt saved. Rose Lavelle (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
Attempt blocked. Georgia Stanway (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Samantha Mewis.
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Sophie Ingle replaces Ji So-Yun.
Attempt blocked. Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Lucy Bronze.
Attempt blocked. Fran Kirby (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ji So-Yun.
<View AllRelated Posts
You May Also Like
QuotesPack Rat Day: 89+ Messages and quotes
BiographySruthi JS Wiki, Biography, Age, Short Films, Images
Memes Main toh kab se hoon prepared taiyaar
Movie News The Last Hour (Amazon Prime) Web Series Cast & Crew, Release Date, Actors, Roles, Wikibiodata
SportsIPL 2023: Tilak Varma’s 51* Helps Mumbai Indians Get to 155/7 Against Chennai Super Kings
Web SeriesAnugraheethan Antony, On Amazon Prime Video, Is A Light But Effective Drama About Afterlife And Unfinished Business
Lifestyle GRAFFITI NFT'S From an Original NYC Black Book!
EntertainmentRaveena Tandon receives heartfelt wishes on 47th birthday
Privacy & Consent Preferences
Compliant with Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act)
Choose which categories of cookies and data processing you permit. You can update or withdraw your consent at any time using the "Cookie Preferences" link in the footer.
Strictly Necessary
Always ActiveEssential for core site functions, account security, CSRF protection, session integrity, and remembering your display preferences (e.g. dark/light theme). These cannot be disabled.
Analytics & Performance
OptionalHelps us understand how visitors interact with our content, count pageviews, identify popular articles, and measure website speed (e.g. Google Analytics). Data is processed in aggregated and anonymized form.
Functional & Personalization
OptionalEnables enhanced features such as saving articles to your personal reading list, star ratings, emoji reactions, and personalized content recommendations based on your interests.
Marketing & Targeted Advertising
OptionalUsed by our advertising partners (e.g. Google AdSense) to serve ads tailored to your topics of interest and limit repetitive ads. Without this, you will still see ads, but they will not be personalized.
Your Rights under DPDP Act 2023
You have the right to access, correct, or erase your personal data, withdraw consent, nominate a representative, or file a grievance. Visit our Data Rights Portal →
Comments
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts.