Last year’s runners up Chelsea beat a vibrant Notts County side with title aspirations of their own, 2-1 with both goals coming from debutant Gemma Davidson.
Emma Hayes made three changes to her squad following their 6-0 over Watford in the FA Women’s Cup, bringing in Hedvig Lindahl, Eni Aluko and Laura Coombs.
County also eased through their cup fixture and now focused their attentions to the league.
In a blustery afternoon at Meadow Lane, both sides started brightly, enjoying periods of possession but without fashioning any clear-cut chances.
In the 15th minute, however, Chelsea’s Gemma Davison went close after a silky run by Ji So-Yun but Carly Telford pulled off an impressive stop in the County net.
Down the other end, Ellen White was denied from close range by a last-ditch tackle from Chelsea’s captain Katie Chapman.
Moments later the Blues took the lead after an excellent passing move between Eni Aluko, Drew Spence and Davison – with the latter finishing calmly past the outstretched Telford.
Chelsea’s lead, however, was short-lived as former Blue Rachel Williams scored a thumping header from a dangerous Alex Greenwood corner to level the scores.
As the half wore on the worsening conditions made for a game of few chances, although Jess Clarke did draw a stop from debutant Lindahl for the Pies.
The teams went in to the break still level and continued to persevere through the driving rain in the second half.
However as the weather improved, so did the action with Aluko creating a great chance for Ji So-Yun who should have put the Blues ahead, but her header hit the outside of the post.
Yet a minute later, the visitors did have the ball in the back of the net thanks to a Davison penalty and a hint of déjà vu.
In a repeat of last weekend’s FA Cup fixture, Davison was fouled in the area and duly brushed herself off to take the spot kick, confidently rolling the ball past Telford who dived the wrong way.
County then looked to score another quick equaliser, but Fiona O’Sullivan headed over the bar from a deep corner, so all three points went home with the visitors.
