Walsh went over and above her usual role as a deep-lying playmaker herself during the 3-0 win over the Seagulls, winning back possession in the final third on four occasions and completing 85.3 per cent of her total passes at the top end of the pitch.

Yet she was quick to shift the credit to team-mate Baltimore during her post-match interview, after the France international put the Blues ahead at the end of the first half with a solo piece of quality. Having turned her marker inside out on the left wing, Sandy finished expertly into the top corner on her supposedly weaker right foot.

'We know Sandy is capable of doing that,' explained Walsh. 'I wasn't sure it was going to come from the right foot, but we know she can do it from her left. We know that Sandy’s a special player.

'I think it was a great game because we got a win in the league, and we had a lot of chances to control the game. This was a real team performance. Lots of players chipped in with goals and assists today, which was good.'

Baltimore's strike put the Blues up 1-0 just before the interval, and while head coach Sonia Bompastor was pleased with the first-half display, she gave her side some feedback during her team talk during the interval.

Walsh explained what those instructions were, and also described why this was such a good result for Chelsea against a Brighton side with a well-organised defence.

'The feedback was just to be positive when we get the ball, to try to play forward,' she continued. 'If the ball was on in behind, then she wanted us to play in behind. We needed to be positive, to take our chances and take risks.

'Brighton are a great team. It's a tough ground to come to. Obviously, with the Champions League match coming up this week, I’d say it was a great result.'