Chelsea v Real Sociedad
Late surge puts Chelsea on verge of reaching UWCL league phase
Melvine Malard scored twice on her competitive Chelsea debut as they hit back to beat Real Sociedad 5-2 in their Champions League third qualifying round first-leg.
Ainhoa Marín opened the scoring for the visitors in the seventh minute before a goal ultimately credited to Naomi Girma from Katie McCabe's corner drew the sides level.
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It was 2-2 after Veerle Buurman and Cecilia Marcos both scored in the span of four second-half minutes, then Malard, who joined the Blues from Manchester United in July, fired Chelsea back in front in the 67th minute.
Lauren James padded their lead seven minutes later and Malard added her second with two minutes remaining.
Assistant coach Camille Abily took charge of Chelsea in the absence of Sonia Bompastor, who was serving a suspension held over from last season.
" It was a tough game, a tough first half because is a really great team, but I think we have a good reaction," Abily said. "We were so much better on second half. There was more space. It's a good win. Tough win, but a good win."
The visitors took the lead when Marín curled a spectacular shot from range over Hannah Hampton, and Sandy Baltimore nearly drew the sides level but caught the underside of the crossbar.
Chelsea were finally back on level terms in the 29th minute. It looked as though McCabe might have scored it herself but the goal was given to Girma, who it was determined had glanced it on.
Buurman directed James' corner past Julia Arrula nine minutes after the restart but Chelsea's advantage proved short-lived after Marcos equalised, giving Hampton no chance when she fired into the far corner.
Malard made it 3-2 when she rounded the keeper and slotted home seven minutes after the hour before James added a 74th-minute cushion, tapping home after some great build-up play by Ellie Carpenter.
Substitute Malard, who replaced Beever-Jones 10 minutes into the second half, then latched onto a pinpoint Carpenter cross to ensure Chelsea will travel to Spain with a healthy aggregate advantage.
"I hope it'll be great if we're able to score anytime five goals," Abily added. "It's tough. I hope it's going to be good if we are able to score that many goals. Of course, with the quality we have on the pitch, but also on the bench because today the subs helped the team a lot."
ESPN Emily Keogh and PA contributed to this report.