Sam Kerr netted a brace as Chelsea advanced to the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup with a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace at Kingsmeadow.
The Blues put 12 goals past Crystal Palace in three meetings last season – and Sonia Bompastor's side continued in the same vein
Captain Millie Bright broke the deadlock with a powerful header from an Erin Cuthbert free-kick after nine minutes and Kerr soon followed that up with an excellent strike from 15 yards. Guro Reiten added a third before half time, scoring a penalty she had won.
Kerr completed her brace early in the second half and Alyssa Thompson got herself on the scoresheet when she finished high into the back of the net from close range.
Bompastor introduced youngsters Lexi Potter and Chloe Sarwie in the final minutes of the match – the duo gaining vital experience – as we comfortably saw out our victory.
Changes made
Bompastor made three alterations from the side that started our win over West Ham at Kingsmeadow. Wieke Kaptein, Reiten and Kerr were brought into the starting XI in place of Sandy Baltimore, Ellie Carpenter and Sjoeke Nusken.
Youngsters Lois Shooter, Potter and Sarwie were all named on the bench as our Women's FA Cup campaign for 2025/26 got underway.
Leading by example
The Blues made a strong start as Reiten caused constant nuisance to the visitors' backline. And when the Norwegian was fouled on the edge of the penalty area, Cuthbert swung in the resulting free-kick, and skipper Bright broke free at the back post to drive a powerful header into the back of the net.
We quickly doubled our advantage when Kerr scored with a fine shot from just inside the penalty area, and then Reiten's dominance down the left paid off when she was fouled in the box by Jamie-Lee Napier after having broken free from the Eagles' full-back.
The Norwegian winger got up from the ground and took the spot-kick herself, scoring her first of the campaign and celebrating with a fierce roar.
Chelsea went in at the break with a three-goal lead and looked in firm control of the tie with the second half still to come.
Kerr strikes again
With the Blues in a commanding position, Bompastor made a double change at the interval: Naomi Girma and Lauren James were replaced by Lucy Bronze and Nuksen.
The changes helped the Blues maintain the intensity of our performance and, six minutes after the interval, we grabbed our fourth goal of the afternoon.
It was struck by Kerr, who took her tally for the campaign to nine. The Australian forward was put through on goal via a neat pass from Reiten and coolly converted. She was replaced soon, to a standing ovation, by compatriot Ellie Carpenter.
Adding another
The scoring was not done, however. With 20 minutes of the game remaining, Thompson was given time to power an excellent shot into the roof of the net.
Potter and Sarwie were introduced moments after our fifth goal; the Chelsea Academy graduates gaining good game time as they continue their development.
There was almost time for a sixth goal; Thompson struck another strong effort toward goal in the dying moments of the game, but her near-post attempt on this occasion ended in the side netting.
Palace put up a keen fight, but ultimately, Chelsea were simply too strong, and the 5-0 scoreline served as the best preparation for a tough Women's League Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Wednesday.
What it means...
The Blues are in Monday night's draw for the Women's FA Cup fifth round.
What comes next...
We travel north to face Manchester City in the Women's League Cup semi-final, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm at the Joie Stadium.
The teams
Chelsea: Hampton, Girma (Bronze h/t), Bright (c), Buurman, Rytting Kaneryd, Cuthbert (Sarwie 71), Kaptein (Potter 61), Reiten, James (Nusken h/t), Kerr (Carpenter 61), Thompson
Unused subs: Peng, Spencer, Shooter, Baltimore
Scorers: Bright 13, Kerr 22, 51, Reiten 29, Thompson 70
Booked: Kaptein 39
Crystal Palace: Yanez, Napier, Arthur (Howat 62), Cato, Everett (c), Sharpe (Riley 78), Weerden, Nolan, Ladd, Blanchard, Larkin (Brady 78)
Unused subs: Annets, Browne, Sibley, Hughes, Vanhaevermaet
Referee: Stacey Fullicks