Another day, another strong start to a match from Chelsea. We flew out of the blocks once again when Lexi Potter was alive to a rebound off a save from an Alyssa Thompson shot, putting us ahead at the Bridge after eight minutes.

Birmingham dug in from that point and provided a couple of dangerous moments on the break, but we defended those well as we went in at half-time with a one-goal advantage.

Second-half substitute Melvine Malard put the contest beyond doubt with 20 minutes to play, capitalising on a Birmingham defensive error. This was a good day at the Bridge, with the three points secured before we face Arsenal here next Sunday.

Starting strong

Sonia Bompastor made just two alterations to her starting line-up, bringing in Veerle Buurman and Sandy Baltimore for Katie McCabe and Lauren James.

The match began with a cross each from Baltimore and Carpenter, as we showed our intent to penetrate the Birmingham penalty area at the earliest opportunity.

And the breakthrough came after just eight minutes, as Carpenter burst through into the box from the right-hand flank, beating the full-back and crossing to Thompson whose clever flicked needed saving. When the ball broke to Potter near the penalty spot, the midfielder opened our account with a superbly struck effort high into the back of the net.

Sustaining the pressure

After a short spell of Birmingham attacks, we went forward once more. Thompson sent her attempt just over the bar, and with 30 minutes gone, another dangerous ball in from Baltimore was almost steered home by Carpenter from six yards out.

We continued to push for more, and when Thompson crossed from the right, Sjoeke Nusken hit the bar with a header, but it wouldn't have counted as the flag went up for offside. A fast break from Wieke Kaptein saw the midfielder lay the ball off to Carpenter on the right, and the Australian proceeded to sting the goalkeeper's gloves with a powerful drive.

The half ended with our 14 shots as opposed to just one from Birmingham, but there was more work to do after the interval.

Doubling the lead

Thompson went close again soon after the restart and was denied a spot-kick when she was brought down in the penalty area when one-on-one with goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley.

Up the other end, only a quick intervention from Hannah Hampton prevented Wilma Leidhammar from netting an equaliser from close range. On came striker Melvine Malard in place of Baltimore as we looked to capitalise on our advantage, and Maika Hamano was also introduced shortly afterwards.

And as the visitors went close with a shot that went just wide of the post, we rushed forward from a Hampton goal-kick, and Malard capitalised on a moment's hesitation on a pass back to Baggaley to convert from close range.

Seeing out the victory

As the minutes ticked towards full-time, Malard played a ball across the box for Hamano, but the Japan international couldn't quite connect with the cross. With the points seemingly secure, Bompastor took the opportunity to make a triple substitution, swapping Nathalie Bjorn, Giulia Dragoni and Katie McCabe for Kadeisha Buchanan, Nusken and Thompson.

Hampton palmed away a ball that flew into the box from a Birmingham free-kick in stoppage time, preserving the clean sheet after a professional display from Chelsea. We earn our first win at Stamford Bridge since making it our new permanent home in the summer, sending our fans home happy.

What it means...

We have gained seven points from our opening three WSL matches this season

Up next...

We play the first game in the league phase of the Women's Champions League, as we take on Austria Vienna at Plough Lane on Wednesday evening, before returning to Stamford Bridge next Sunday for our London derby against Arsenal.

The teams

Chelsea: Hampton, Carpenter, Buurman, Buchanan (Bjorn 87), Bronze (c), Nusken (Dragoni 87), Potter, Kaptein (Hamano 73), Walsh, Baltimore (Malard 63), Thompson (McCabe 87)
Unused substitutes: Peng, Rudz, Girma, Las
Scorers: Potter 8, Malard 71

Birmingham City: Baggaley, Levasseur, Lee (Amano 66), Naalsund, Leidhammar, Crosthwaite, McKenna, Turner (c), Hurtre, Miyagawa, Herron
Unused substitutes: Thomas, Haris, Rastocle, Cooke, Holloway, Cornet, Effa Effa, Sarri

Attendance: 4,793
Referee: Alice Parker

Don't miss our huge London derby clash against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge! Secure your seat now...