In the match day programme Matt Beard talks about how expectations for this season have shifted from targeting a top 4 finish to a European place, after tonight's result we are definitely are in with a great chance of placing in the top 2.
Onto the game then, similar to the one against Arsenal a couple of weeks earlier our London visitors were faster out of the blocks than us. Swedish international Sofia Jakobsson in particular causing a stir on the right wing and capitalising on a defensive mix up to put Chelsea ahead.
Liverpool had a couple of chances to equalise, Amanda Da Costa's goal bound shot was saved by blues keeper Telford and Nicole Rolser also seen a strike saved.
Within 7 minutes of kick off Chelsea had doubled their lead, new signed Ogimi setting up Eni Aluko who scored past Sarah Quantrill.
The second goal caused Liverpool to regroup and step up their game, Fara Williams in particular pressing up the pitch and driving the team forwards. Williams tried a couple of long range efforts, one just wide of the post and the other narrowly over the crossbar.
Fara was then fouled and awarded a free kick in a similar position to where she scored against Chelsea in the Continental Cup. The ball swung in low at the near post, narrowly beating Telford to pull a goal back for Liverpool and the reds went in at half time trailing 2-1.
Matt Beard switched keepers at half time, Rachel Laws replacing Sarah Quantrill in the Liverpool goal.
Nicole Rolser was brought down in the penalty box, controversially nothing was given despite the German midfielder needing to leave the field for treatment. Shortly after returning to the pitch Rolser equalised. Louise Fors' corner found Gemma Bonner, who's headed looked to be clearer off the line but Rolser was there to tap the ball in.
Gemma Bonner then went down in our box with a back injury, the Liverpool captain did attempt to run it off and returned to the field after receiving treatment. Minutes later Becky Easton replaced her, with Lucy Bronze moving across to centre back and Amanda Da Costa taking the arm band.
Chelsea's Ogimi was lively throughout, she went through on goal after Whitney Engen missed her header yet Lucy Bronze did brilliantly to get back and clear.
Natasha Dowie then had a brilliant chance, also going through on goal but was denied by a great save from Telford.
Sofia Jakobsson's cross was then deflected into the back of the net to put Chelsea back in front, Becky Easton got the final touch but the ball was going in anyway.
3-2 down yet still not giving up the fight, Natasha Dowie equalised for Liverpool with a brilliant header. Dowie has now scored 6 goal in 9 league games.
Natasha then played a part in the next goal, setting Nicole Rolser up nicely for Liverpool to go in front for the first time during the game. Even Matt Beard and the bench were on the pitch celebrating the goal!
Nerves frayed in the stands and on the pitch, Ogimi feeling that Easton was taking her time on a throw in and rather amusingly handing her the ball.
6 minutes of added time due to the injury to Bonner thankfully seen no more goals and the reds secured another important three points.
POTM Nicole Rolser
Liverpool team: Quantrill (Laws), Bronze, Bonner (c)(Easton), Engen, Schroder, Omarsdottir, Williams, Rolser, Da Costa, Fors (Longhurst), Dowie
Next up for Liverpool we are away at Doncaster Belles on Saturday 24th August. There will be a match preview up for this game but no match report, I will be at Villa Park instead. (sorry!)
Will be covering the final 4 league games however starting with Birmingham away on Sunday 1st September, missing the Man Utd game for that one! Thanks for following @LFCLadiesFans again on twitter tonight and for reading these reports, all comments are really appreciated and I also want to say a massive thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! Especially @Girlsontheball who gave me some pretty cool GOTB merch!
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