We returned to Wimbledon under the lights and immediately looked sharp in attack. When Wieke Kaptein spotted an opportunity to shoot on the edge of the penalty area, she seized it with a sublime effort that bounced down off the underside of the bar and got us off the mark with only 11 minutes played.

There was concern for this evening's captain Keira Walsh, who had to be replaced after just 20 minutes, with Lexi Potter coming on in her place.

And with our narrow advantage, Vienna took confidence and got a foothold in the contest, going close to finding an equaliser twice just before half-time. We had chances to extend our lead after the break, but in truth, so did the determined visitors, who hit the post in the second half.

Some excellent defending and superb saves from Livia Peng protected the clean sheet in a contest that was far from comfortable, but as is the Chelsea way, we found a way to take the three points.

Another rapid start

Sonia Bompastor made three alterations to the side that started in our 2-0 win over Birmingham at the weekend, switching goalkeeper Hannah Hampton for Livia Peng and bringing in Katie McCabe and Melvine Malard for Lucy Bronze and Potter.

And for the second time in two matches, the Blues struck early to take the advantage. This time, Kaptein unleashed a confident strike from the edge of the penalty area, hitting the underside of the crossbar with such power that the ball continued on its trajectory, bouncing down and into the bottom corner.

There was then some concern for Walsh, who went off with an apparent injury after just 20 minutes and was replaced by midfield counterpart Potter.

Blues keep pushing

Alyssa Thompson was lively down the right, and shot just wide of the opposite post after burning past her marker. Next, her agility served her well as she kept a chance alive by jumping over the onrushing goalkeeper before teeing up Melvine Malard, who headed just wide from close range.

Vienna then had a chance to equalise as they fashioned an opening from an inswinging corner. Peng came out and made herself big, but the ball fell to Virginia Kirchberger, who blazed the follow-up over the bar. Buoyed by their attempt on goal, the visitors went close again soon afterwards as Louise Schoffel dragged her shot just wide of the post.

After some more pressure from the away side, we created the first big chance of the second half just before the hour mark. Another fierce shot from Kaptein was parried by Vienna goalkeeper Jasmin Pal, and Sandy Baltimore saw her attempt blocked inside the area on the follow-up.

This was turning into an enthralling encounter. As the Austrians broke down the other end, Peng did brilliantly to push a shot around the post and out for a corner.

Sealing the victory

There was an air of frustration that we weren't further ahead as the match moved into the final stages. Ellie Carpenter laid a ball on a plate across the six-yard box on 65 minutes, but no Chelsea player was there to convert and Pal was able to palm the ball away.

Carpenter went on the attack again with a trademark run down the right and was once again able to get her cross into the box. This time Sjoeke Nusken was there to get on the end of it, but the Germany international fired her volley over the bar.

With 15 minutes to play, we survived a big scare. Modesta Uka, who had been causing us problems all evening, powered her way into position and saw her shot bounce off the right-hand post and out for a goal kick.

This wasn't a match for the football purists, nor was it plain sailing for the Chelsea supporters in the stands, but we showed our resilience to take the points with a huge clash against Arsenal to come at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

What it means...

We take our first three points towards Champions League qualification, with five more fixtures to come.

Up next...

A hotly-anticipated London derby against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge awaits us on Sunday, and it's not too late to secure your ticket by clicking here.

The teams

Chelsea: Peng, Carpenter, Buchanan, Buurman, McCabe, Nusken, Walsh (c) (Potter, 20), Kaptein, Thompson, Baltimore, Malard (Hamano h-t)
Unused substitutes: Hampton, Rudz Brown, Bronze, Las, Dragoni, Bjorn, Girma, Sarwie
Scorers: Kaptein 11
Booked: McCabe 51

Austria Vienna: Pal, Wenninger (c), Schiechtl, Kirchberger, Schoffel (Cordes 79), Potzl, Pfattner (Orkic 92), Weiss (Pucci 92), Hanshaw, Uka (Sisic 79), Pfanner (Jakobsen 66)
Unused substitutes: Goetz, Gartner, Schorn, Pichler

Referee: Miriama Bockova

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