According to a report by BBC Sport on Sunday, October 25, 2026, Chelsea Women produced an impressive second-half display to overcome Crystal Palace Women 3-1 after initially falling behind in their Women’s Super League encounter.

Molly Bartrip put Palace ahead in the opening half, but Chelsea responded after the break through two goals from Melvine Malard before Sandy Baltimore converted a late penalty to complete the turnaround.

Chelsea started the match on the front foot and created several opportunities to take the lead. Maika Hamano, Malard and Sjoeke Nüsken all tested Palace goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, who produced important saves to prevent the visitors from scoring.

Lucy Bronze also came close from a corner, but her header sailed just over the crossbar as Chelsea continued searching for an early breakthrough.

However, despite their promising start, it was Crystal Palace who opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Bartrip found the net from close range following a corner, with Fuka Tsunoda supplying the assist to give the hosts a valuable advantage.

Peyraud-Magnin remained busy as Chelsea attempted to respond before half-time, producing another save to deny Nüsken. At the other end, Hannah Hampton kept out an effort from Hayley Ladd, while Abbie Larkin also had an attempt blocked.

Chelsea went into the interval trailing 1-0, despite having created several good scoring opportunities.

Manager Sonia Bompastor reacted by bringing on Erin Cuthbert and Baltimore at the beginning of the second half. The substitutions gave Chelsea greater attacking impetus, and the visitors gradually increased the pressure on Palace’s defence.

Their efforts were rewarded in the 51st minute when Malard restored parity with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area. McCabe provided the assist, setting up the forward to bring Chelsea back into the contest.

Malard then completed her brace in the 75th minute, heading Baltimore’s delivery into the bottom corner from close range to put the visitors ahead.

Chelsea continued to threaten, with Nüsken hitting the post as they searched for another goal. Carpenter also came close, but her attempt narrowly missed the target.

The Blues eventually wrapped up the victory in the 90th minute when Baltimore confidently converted a penalty into the bottom-left corner. The spot-kick was awarded after Bartrip brought down Malard inside the penalty area.

Chelsea’s three second-half goals completed an impressive comeback and secured all three points after a difficult opening 45 minutes.