It was one of those matches where everything seemed to fall into place.
The sun had set, the lights were on, and Chelsea Women walked out onto the pitch with purpose. They knew what was at stake — another step closer to the Women’s Super League title. But they also knew that nothing in football comes easy, no matter the opponent.
Facing Crystal Palace in a crucial match, Chelsea didn’t just win. They showed who they are — a team full of spirit, talent, and heart. From the first whistle to the last, the Blues controlled the game and left the pitch with a 4-0 win.
But what made the night truly special were two players. Catarina Macario, returning to full strength after a long injury, scored twice and looked absolutely electric. And Mia Fishel, back after her own tough recovery from an ACL injury, finally scored again — and you could see how much it meant to her.
Let’s go through the game, the performances, and what this win really means for Chelsea.
A Night to Remember
From the beginning, Chelsea looked confident. The passes were sharp. The movement was smart. And the crowd could feel something was coming.
Just a few minutes in, Macario picked up the ball near the edge of the box. One quick touch, a powerful shot — and boom. The net rippled. The stadium erupted. You could see her smile from the stands.
That goal wasn’t just beautiful. It was emotional. She had worked so hard to come back from injury, and now here she was — back doing what she loves.
Before the first half ended, Chelsea added another goal, this time from Mia Fishel. It had been a long road for her, full of rehab and waiting. But in this moment, she looked free again. She made a perfect run, timed her shot, and the ball flew into the goal.
Her teammates rushed to her. The crowd stood and cheered. You could see the relief on her face. You could feel it in the air.
Chelsea Player Ratings (In Real Talk)
We’re not going to throw numbers at you like a robot. Here’s how the players really did — in plain, honest words.
Hannah Hampton (Goalkeeper)
Didn’t have much to do, but stayed focused the whole match. Clean hands, smart positioning. Solid all night.
Eve Périsset (Right Back)
Quiet, but consistent. No flashy runs, but kept her side locked down. Sometimes being dependable is better than being dramatic.
Millie Bright (Center Back)
An absolute rock. Strong in the air, calm on the ball. She’s the leader in the back, and it shows.
Jess Carter (Center Back)
Did the dirty work. Always there to cover space. Her passing from the back helped Chelsea build attacks.
Niamh Charles (Left Back)
All over the place — in a good way. Defended hard, pushed up the wing, and delivered a few great crosses. Non-stop energy.
Erin Cuthbert (Midfield)
A total engine. Tackled, passed, ran — she did everything. One of those players every manager loves.
Melanie Leupolz (Midfield)
Quiet but clever. Always in the right spot. Made sure things stayed calm in the middle.
Catarina Macario (Attacking Midfield)
What a comeback. Two great goals. Smooth touches, smart passes. She ran the show. Pure class.
Lauren James (Right Wing)
Didn’t score, but looked dangerous every time she had the ball. Made defenders nervous. Drew fouls and created chances.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Left Wing)
Quick and tricky. Helped stretch the defense. Maybe not her biggest game, but still useful.
Mia Fishel (Striker)
Her goal was the moment of the night. You could see what it meant to her. She fought hard, held the ball well, and looked full of life again.
Substitutes
- Fran Kirby: Always cool, always calm. Played a few neat passes after coming on.
- Sjoeke Nüsken: Helped close the game down. Smart player, does the basics right.
- Aggie Beever-Jones: Didn’t get much time, but ran hard.
- Ashley Lawrence: Came on to help defend and did her job well.
What This Win Really Means
This wasn’t just about goals or clean sheets. This was about moments.
Catarina Macario’s return. Mia Fishel’s redemption. A team that fought, smiled, celebrated together — that’s what football is about.
This win keeps Chelsea right in the title race. But more than that, it shows they’re peaking at the right time. Players are coming back. The chemistry is clicking. And the belief is strong.
Emma Hayes, the manager, deserves credit too. She trusted her players. She let Macario play in her natural role. She gave Fishel a chance. And she made the right calls at the right time.
Final Whistle Thoughts
If you’re a Chelsea Women fan, this is one of those nights you won’t forget anytime soon. Not just because of the scoreline — but because of the heart.
Football isn’t just about trophies. It’s about stories. About people. About fighting back from injuries. About scoring again after months of pain and sweat and silence.
Tonight, Macario reminded us what talent looks like. Fishel reminded us what courage looks like.
And Chelsea reminded everyone why they’re one of the best teams in the world.
