WSL: Lucy Bronze and Lauren James net as Barclays Women's Super League champions Chelsea blitz Crystal Palace 7-0

React to this story

Lucy Bronze and Lauren James were among the goals as Chelsea trounced Crystal Palace 7-0 at Selhurst Park. The reigning Women's Super League champions, now under the leadership of Sonia Bompastor, followed up their narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa on the opening day to produce a scintillating performance in south London and make it two wins from two for their new French boss.

'His confidence is very good' - Flick backs stand-in keeper Pena as Szczesny rumours persist

Video credit: SNTV

Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Lauren James were on the scoresheet as Chelsea routed Crystal Palace 7-0 at Selhurst Park.

Sonia Bompastor's Blues were clinical in south London on Friday night, netting six times in the second half to comprehensively continue their perfect start to the new campaign.

They ground out a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in their season opener, but here they were as ruthless as they were under Emma Hayes, and showed that despite there being a new face in the dugout, the seven-time champions still mean business.

Premier League

Rice and Fernandes lead six-man Players’ Player of the Year shortlist

05/06/2026 at 10:45

Aggie Beever-Jones put them ahead on 38 minutes with a first-time finish from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's cross.

Lucy Bronze, the new arrival from Barcelona, netted her first in Chelsea blue as she guided a strike into the far corner three minutes into the second half.

Ten minutes later, her compatriot Lauren James was in on the act, as she fired home after being set up by Mayra Ramirez.

Guro Reiten struck in the 74th minute after a crisp passing move that sliced the Palace defence apart, before the Norwegian slotted in a fourth.

Nathalie Bjorn added a fifth four minutes later, sticking out a boot from a corner to stab the ball over the line.

Reiten had her second and Chelsea's sixth in the 90th minute, capitalising on some sloppy play at the back from the Eagles to fire in another.

The scoring wasn't done there, as Catarina Macario rounded off the rout with a poked finish.

"I was angry at myself after the last game because I should have had a couple of goals there, but it was nice scoring today," Reiten told Sky Sports.

"It was hard breaking them down in the first half. They defended really well. We talked about movement and passing the ball quicker. Maybe they got tired, or we got better, a bit of both I think.

"It's been hard [under Bompastor]. Training has been intense but I love it. It's a new start for everyone, new players, new staff. It's been good so far, and we can only continue building on what we started."

---

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Football