Manchester United 1-6 Chelsea: Kirby scores 50th WSL goal in emphatic win

Champions Chelsea issued a statement of intent to their title rivals as they ruthlessly ended Manchester United's unbeaten start to the season.

Fran Kirby opened the scoring with her 50th Women's Super League goal inside the first two minutes.

Pernille Harder doubled the Blues' lead with a superb solo effort before Sam Kerr tapped home a third.

Alessia Russo's deflected strike gave United hope, but Kerr, Drew Spence and Jessie Fleming added Chelsea goals.

Having been stunned by Arsenal in the season opener, Chelsea expertly negotiated this difficult away assignment with a devastating blend of aggressive pressing, precise passing and clinical finishing.

For United, it was a reminder of the level they must reach in order to challenge Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City after starting their campaign with comprehensive wins over Reading and Leicester under new boss Marc Skinner.

Chelsea were nearly gifted a goal after 15 seconds when United keeper Mary Earps overhit her pass to Maria Thorisdottir, allowing Sam Kerr to shoot from the edge of the box.

And while Earps managed to keep the Australian's low strike out with a strong left hand, there was nothing she could do to stop Kirby from capitalising on a sloppy United error.

Attempting to play out from the back, Hannah Blundell ran into trouble and passed straight to Kerr, who squared the ball for Kirby to tap home.

United managed to settle after Chelsea's fast start, but soon found themselves with a mountain to climb when Harder demonstrated her pace and power to double the away side's advantage.

Pouncing on a heavy touch from Jackie Groenen, the Dane stormed up the pitch, breezed past Thorisdottir and calmly lifted the ball over the onrushing Earps.

Pernille Harder's excellent solo strike doubled Chelsea's lead after 24 minutes

Kerr nearly struck a brilliant third five minutes before the break after being teed up by Kirby, but her first-time effort whistled just the wrong side of Earps' right-hand post.

From the goal-kick, however, United captain Hannah Zelem conceded possession and, in a roles reversal from the first goal, Kirby found Kerr, who slotted Chelsea into a three-goal lead.

United boss Skinner introduced Russo at the break and the England forward's impact was instant, latching on to Ella Toone's pass and beating Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger thanks to a heavy deflection off Millie Bright. Russo also rattled the crossbar with a rasping drive in an eye-catching display.

The home side's hopes of a revival were crushed three minutes after Russo's goal, however, when Kerr struck for the second time, although the striker appeared to have strayed offside before she converted Kirby's cross at the second attempt.

Spence and Fleming both struck late as Emma Hayes' substitutes put further gloss on the scoreline and cap a dominant display by the champions.

Line-ups

Man Utd Women

Formation 4-2-3-1

27Earps

6Blundell5Mannion3Thorisdottir17Batlle

10Zelem14Groenen

18Hanson37Staniforth11Galton

7Toone

27Earps6Blundell5Mannion3Thorisdottir17Batlle10Zelem14GroenenSubstituted forLaddat 66'minutes18Hanson37StaniforthSubstituted forRussoat 45'minutes11GaltonSubstituted forJonesat 82'minutes7Toone

Substitutes

2Harris8Risa12Ladd13Fuso23Russo24Jones32Baggaley

Chelsea Women

Formation 3-4-3

30Berger

4Bright7Carter16Eriksson

21Charles5Ingle8Leupolz11Reiten

14Kirby20Kerr23Harder

30Berger4Bright7Carter16Eriksson21CharlesSubstituted forAnderssonat 58'minutes5Ingle8Leupolz11ReitenSubstituted forFoxat 79'minutes14KirbySubstituted forEnglandat 78'minutes20KerrSubstituted forSpenceat 84'minutes23HarderSubstituted forFlemingat 78'minutes

Substitutes

1Musovic3Nouwen9England10Ji17Fleming24Spence25Andersson28Telford29FoxReferee:Kirsty DowleAttendance:2,197

Live Text

Match ends, Manchester United Women 1, Chelsea Women 6.

Second Half ends, Manchester United Women 1, Chelsea Women 6.

Goal! Manchester United Women 1, Chelsea Women 6. Jessie Fleming (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner following a fast break.

Attempt saved. Drew Spence (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jessie Fleming.

Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Drew Spence.

Attempt saved. Ella Toone (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Kirsty Hanson.

Goal! Manchester United Women 1, Chelsea Women 5. Drew Spence (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Bethany England.

Alessia Russo (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women).

Foul by Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women).

Bethany England (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Substitution, Chelsea Women. Drew Spence replaces Sam Kerr.

Substitution, Manchester United Women. Carrie Jones replaces Leah Galton.

Foul by Ella Toone (Manchester United Women).

Jonna Andersson (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Bethany England (Chelsea Women).

Attempt missed. Hayley Ladd (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Alessia Russo.

Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Jorja Fox.