Birmingham City Women were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but there were encouraging signs for the Blues as their return to the Barclays Women’s Super League continued with another difficult away assignment.

Lexi Potter gave the hosts an eighth-minute lead before substitute Melvine Malard doubled Chelsea’s advantage with 19 minutes remaining.

The result leaves Birmingham still searching for their first league win since returning to the top flight, following their opening-day defeat at Manchester City and last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Brighton. 

Yet for long spells Birmingham made Chelsea work for their victory, particularly after the interval, when the visitors began to threaten the home side's clean sheet and created opportunities of their own.

Early setback for Birmingham

Birmingham knew they would have to withstand pressure during the opening stages and Chelsea made their intentions clear from the outset.

The hosts moved the ball quickly into the wide areas and opened the scoring after just eight minutes.

Ellie Carpenter broke into the Birmingham box before delivering towards Alyssa Thompson. Thompson's flick was saved by Sophie Baggaley, but the rebound fell to Potter, who finished decisively from close range.

It was a difficult start for Birmingham, but Amy Merricks' side did not collapse.

Chelsea continued to create chances and finished the first half with 14 attempts compared with Birmingham's one, but the visitors managed to reach the interval only one goal behind. 

That proved important.

Blues grow into the contest

Birmingham emerged after the break with greater attacking intent and began to ask questions of a Chelsea defence that had enjoyed a relatively comfortable first half.

Chelsea had chances to extend their advantage, with Thompson going close again and later being denied a penalty after going down in the area.

But Birmingham were beginning to find openings.

One of their best opportunities arrived when Wilma Leidhammar met a Lily Crosthwaite cross and looked set to threaten the Chelsea goal. Hannah Hampton reacted quickly, however, making the intervention required to keep Chelsea ahead.

The hosts were beginning to look less comfortable than they had earlier in the afternoon.

Malard punishes Birmingham error

For all Birmingham's improved showing, Chelsea possess the quality to punish even the smallest mistake.

That was demonstrated in the 71st minute.

A Birmingham defensive error allowed Malard to pounce after Chelsea had worked the ball forward from a goal-kick. The substitute reacted quickest, beating Baggaley to the ball before finishing from close range.

It was particularly frustrating for Birmingham given the progress they had made since half-time.

Malard's goal was also a significant moment personally, coming on her return from injury and on her league debut for Chelsea. (Read Chelsea)

Birmingham refuse to give up

The second goal effectively settled the contest, but Birmingham continued to look for something from the afternoon.

Suzu Amano, introduced from the bench, provided an attacking spark and went close on two occasions as the visitors searched for a route back into the match.

Chelsea were forced to remain alert and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton had to deal with a dangerous Birmingham delivery in stoppage time.

Ultimately, though, the Blues could not find the breakthrough their second-half performance deserved.

The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 Chelsea victory, with Birmingham returning to the Midlands empty-handed. 

Plenty to build on

The result will naturally be disappointing for Merricks and her players, particularly after Birmingham had fought their way back into the game following Chelsea's early opener.

However, there were positives to take.

Birmingham showed resilience after conceding early, improved considerably after the interval and created moments against one of the division's leading sides.

Their previous league outing had seen them throw away a two-goal lead against Brighton, so another competitive display against Chelsea will at least provide evidence that the newly promoted side can cause problems at this level.

The challenge now is turning those encouraging passages into points.

With three matches played, Birmingham have one point on the board following the draw with Brighton. Chelsea, meanwhile, move onto seven points and sit second in the WSL table. 

For Birmingham, the focus will now turn to the next opportunity to secure that elusive first victory of their return to the top flight.

Chelsea 2-0 Birmingham City

Chelsea: Hampton, Carpenter, Buurman, Buchanan (Björn 87), Bronze, Nüsken (Dragoni 87), Potter, Kaptein (Hamano 73), Walsh, Baltimore (Malard 63), Thompson (McCabe 87).

Birmingham City: Baggaley, Levasseur, Lee (Amano 66), Naalsund, Leidhammar, Crosthwaite, McKenna, Turner, Hurtré, Miyagawa, Herron.

Goals: Potter 8', Malard 71'.

Attendance: 4,793
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Competition: Barclays Women's Super League