Keira Walsh lauded young midfielder Lexi Potter after her decisive contribution powered Chelsea Women past Brighton & Hove Albion Women.
The contest sparked into life early, as Chelsea took the lead within 13 minutes through Alyssa Thompson, who nodded home confidently.
However, Brighton responded almost immediately, with Carla Camacho finding the net via a deflected long-range effort to restore parity.
As the first half edged towards its conclusion, Chelsea shifted gears again.
This time, Potter seized the moment: driving home from close range to net her first goal for the club on just her second start.
That strike ultimately proved decisive, giving the Blues a crucial edge heading into the break.
Operating in midfield alongside Walsh, the 19-year-old delivered a composed performance.
Meanwhile, Walsh, captaining the side in the absence of Millie Bright and with Erin Cuthbert starting on the bench, helped anchor the team through a demanding fixture.
Reflecting on the performance, Walsh highlighted the squad’s resilience amid a challenging period.
“We’ve got a busy few weeks ahead and we’ve got a lot of injuries, so I think the girls did really well,” said Walsh.
“Brighton are a tough team; I think we put in a great performance, especially in the first half.
“I think we controlled the first half really well. Obviously, in the second half, they threw a lot at us, but we withstood that.
“The girls who came on, Chloe (Sarwie), who is also a young player, came on and really made a difference in what was an important game for us.
“So I’m really pleased with the squad and really pleased with the result.”
As the game wore on, Chelsea had to dig deep, absorbing pressure while maintaining their structure.
Their ability to manage the tempo and withstand Brighton’s second-half surge ultimately secured the win.
Walsh also shed light on her on-field chemistry with Potter, praising the youngster’s awareness and intelligence in midfield.
“I wasn’t surprised by her performance,” continued Walsh. “I play her in training every day. I play against her, and it’s not easy.
“One thing I like about playing with Lexi is that she always recognizes where the space is, and I think we play really well in terms of working off each other and playing off each other’s space.
“So yeah, I enjoyed tonight, and I’m really proud of Lexi.”
All in all, it was a breakthrough moment for Potter and a reassuring performance for Chelsea.
With squad depth being tested, the emergence of young talents could prove vital as the Blues navigate a demanding run of fixtures.
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