Bright start for Chelsea
Man City at Wembley
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MILLIE BRIGHT’S 30-yard rocket lit up Wembley as Emma Hayes Blues’ put one over their Super League rivals.
The centre-half delivered a killer blow with a right-foot drive midway through the second-half before sub Erin Cuthbert settled matters in injury-time to give last season’s champs an early psychological boost.
Not that Chelsea’s boss Hayes was surprised as her side made the most of Jill Scott’s 61st-minute dismissal to get their hands on the Community Shield trophy after a 12-year absence.
She said: “Honestly, I see it from Millie every day. It might be a surprise to others but not to me. She works so hard at her game. It wasn’t a coincidence. It’s no accident. She is a top, top player.”
Lockdown had provided a spicy backdrop to this opener as Chelsea won the title on points per game two months ago – despite Manchester City topping the table before the fixture-list was abandoned.
But Bright showed that decision was no empty gesture minutes after Scott was dismissed for her second bookable offence following a foul on Ji So-yun.
It was a good job the centre-half managed to find a way to goal – because Aussie star Sam Kerr endured an awful afternoon.
The Matildas striker – who joined the club on a £6,000-a-week deal last term – fluffed a string of chances after an X-rated horror show in front of goal.
She had wasted at least six opportunities – but Bright eventually found a way through.
New Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor called Scott’s sending-off ‘a game-changer,’ adding: “There really wasn’t much in it – until then I thought it was quite close. Both teams had decent chances.”