Chelsea Women secured a 3‑1 victory over Crystal Palace Women at the 360 Engage Stadium on Sunday, 25 October 2026, turning a 1‑0 deficit into a win that kept them in the hunt for the top spot in the Women’s Super League. The match saw a dramatic comeback, with Chelsea’s Melvine Malard scoring twice and Sandy Baltimore adding a penalty to seal the result.
The Blues dominated from the start, forcing Palace goalkeeper Pauline Payraud‑Magnin into a double save within the first fifteen minutes. Despite early dominance, Chelsea failed to convert their chances and Palace’s Molly Bartrip capitalised on a corner to give the hosts a 1‑0 lead, their first win over Chelsea in eight meetings. Bartrip’s goal was the only one for Palace in the first half, and it set the tone for a tense second period.
Chelsea made a tactical switch at half‑time, bringing on Erin Cuthbert and Sandy Baltimore. The change immediately shifted the momentum in favour of the Blues. Melvine Malard, who had missed an early opening goal, struck a 25‑yard screamer to level the score in the 51st minute. Her second goal came in the 75th minute after a brilliant run by Baltimore that saw her beat three Palace defenders before delivering a perfect pass to Malard, who headed the ball into the net.
Baltimore’s contribution was not limited to the build‑up play. She finished the game by converting a penalty in the 90th minute, adding a third goal for Chelsea and ensuring the win. The late strike also prevented Palace from securing a point after a strong start.
With this victory, Chelsea temporarily move to the top of the WSL table, ahead of Manchester City, who are set to travel to Manchester United in their next fixture. The result keeps the Blues in contention for the league title and demonstrates their resilience after a shaky start to the match. The next week will see Chelsea defend their position against a challenging opponent, while Palace will look to regroup after a disappointing outing.