Captain Nathalie Bjorn headed us in front on her first league start for almost a year, before Melvine Malard struck twice either side of an Ellie Carpenter goal as the Blues raced into a four-goal lead.

Half-time substitute Aggie Beever-Jones added a fifth, and Giulia Dragoni rounded off the scoring with her first competitive Chelsea goal to complete a dominant afternoon for Sonia Bompastor's side.

The emphatic victory also extended our unbeaten start to the WSL campaign and moved us back above Manchester City on goal difference, after our title rivals had won earlier in the day.

The only concern came when Lauren James, who had been outstanding during our blistering start, was forced off with an injury before half-time.

Changes made

Bompastor made seven changes from Wednesday's 2-0 UEFA Women's Champions League victory over Roma, with Bjorn returning to captain the side in her first WSL start since November 2025.

The Sweden international has endured a frustrating spell with injuries but marked another significant step in her return to regular action in spectacular fashion.

There was also a first Chelsea start for Manaka Matsukubo. The Japan international joined from North Carolina Courage during the summer, having been named the NWSL Midfielder of the Year in 2025, and made her Blues debut as a late substitute against Crystal Palace last weekend.

Carpenter, Katie McCabe, Keira Walsh, Sjoeke Nusken and Malard were among the other players brought into the starting XI.

A flying start

We took just three minutes to break the deadlock. McCabe received the ball following a short corner and floated an inviting delivery into the penalty area, where Bjorn climbed highest to send a firm header into the net.

We continued to pour forward and doubled our advantage in the 10th minute. Sandy Baltimore, a constant source of danger on the left, delivered a cross which struck Malard around the midriff and slipped past Charlton goalkeeper Anna Koivunen.

Three minutes later, James tested Koivunen with an effort from outside the area. The goalkeeper could only push the ball into Carpenter's path, and the Australian finished confidently from close range for her fifth goal in all competitions this season.

Matsukubo then passed up a promising opening as she searched for her first Chelsea goal, but there was little respite for the hosts.

The fourth arrived in the 19th minute following a scramble in the Charlton box. Koivunen made a couple of saves as the Blues sought another way through, only for Malard to react quickest to the loose ball and turn home from a matter of yards.

The French forward thought she had completed her hat-trick shortly afterwards, racing onto a superb James pass and finishing across goal, but the assistant referee's flag ruled it out for offside.

A setback amid the dominance

James had been instrumental in our attacking display but was forced to pull up while running off the ball just after the half-hour mark and could not continue. Erin Cuthbert came on in her place.

There was also a brief interruption when Nusken needed treatment after catching her finger on an advertising board.

Charlton gradually steadied themselves after the opening onslaught and Jodie Hutton headed an opportunity off target, although Chelsea still enjoyed around 70 per cent of possession in the first half and did not allow the hosts a shot on target.

Fresh legs, more goals

Bompastor introduced Beever-Jones for Malard at half-time and Beever-Jones took her opportunity just before the hour mark. Walsh produced an inventive, instinctive backheel to send the forward through, and she finished calmly to register her first goal of the season, celebrating with visible delight.

Bjorn, Walsh and Matsukubo were then withdrawn as Bompastor made three further changes, but the Blues remained on the front foot.

Baltimore curled a wonderful effort against the woodwork, leaving Koivunen stranded, before Maika Hamano was denied by the post just moments later.

Our sixth finally arrived in the 66th minute, when Dragoni finished a flowing move involving fellow substitutes with real composure. The young Italian, who joined Chelsea permanently from Barcelona in the summer, was overcome with emotion as she celebrated her first competitive goal for the club.

Koivunen, making her WSL debut, recovered from a difficult opening to produce some impressive saves, including an excellent stop to deny Alyssa Thompson in the closing stages.

Charlton continued to search for a consolation and Ashleigh Neville headed narrowly over from a late corner, but Hannah Hampton and the Blues defence held firm to secure a clean sheet.

What it means...

Chelsea have now won seven of our opening eight WSL matches, drawing the other, and return to the summit with 22 points. Our goal difference of plus 23 puts us ahead of Manchester City, who also have 22 points.

What comes next...

We welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge in the Women's Super League on Saturday 7 November, with kick-off scheduled for 12.45pm.

The teams

Chelsea: Hampton, Carpenter, Bjorn (c) (Thompson 62), Buurman, McCabe, Walsh (Dragoni 61), Nusken, Matsukubo (Hamano 62), James (Cuthbert 35), Baltimore, Malard (Beever-Jones HT)
Unused substitutes: Peng, Buchanan, Bronze, Kaptein
Goalscorers: Bjorn 3, Malard 10, 19, Carpenter 13, Beever-Jones 57, Dragoni 66

Charlton Athletic: Koivunen, Johnston (Robe 79), Skeels (c), Lobato, Mason (Waldie 58), Neville, van Egmond (Kenney 46), Flannery, Hutton (Lockwood 73), Korhonen (Fitzgerald 58), Davidson
Unused substitutes: Whitehouse, Nelson-Iye, Humphrey, Azzaro
Booked: Hutton 50

Referee: Melissa Burgin