Aluko wins it

The FA Tesco Women's Premier League Cup
Second Round
2pm, Sunday 5 October 2008
Metropolitan Police Ground



An extra-time volley from Chelsea forward Eniola Aluko secured the Blues' passage into the Third Round of The FA Women's Premier League Cup.

However, the game itself was somewhat overshadowed by an horrific injury suffered by Leeds Carnegie captain, Jess Wright, which caused the game to be delayed by 40 minutes.

Deep into the second half, Wright raised her left foot to clear the ball and appeared to twist her knee upon landing, suggesting ligament damage, which could keep her sidelined for the majority of the season.

At this stage Chelsea were 2-1 ahead but just 12 seconds after Wright was taken to hospital, an inswinging Sue Smith cross from the right evaded everyone in the box, including Chelsea 'keeper Siobhan Chamberlain, to send the game in extra-time.

This goal equalised a fantastic Brooke Chaplen effort just before the break. Cutting in from the right, Chaplen unleashed a fizzing drive which nestled in the 'keeper's bottom right hand corner.

Chaplen was heavily involved in Chelsea's opener. Again, good work on the flank allowed her to centre, causing panic in the visitor's box only for Sophie Bradley's attempted clearance to inadvertently give Chelsea the lead.

Blues Manager, Steve Jones voiced his concern with Carla Cantrell's leveller after 43 minutes. Chamberlain failed to hold on to a cross from the left and after her defence had difficulty clearing the danger, the breaking ball fell to Cantrell, who prodded home from close range.

"We had a couple of opportunities to clear our lines, but no-one took responsibility, so I'm a bit disappointed with that," Jones said.

However, Chaplen's strike restored their lead and Aluko's majestic extra-time finish sealed a Third Round berth for Chelsea. Controlling a cross on her chest, her right foot volley from inside the box was virtually unstoppable and rounded off a superb week for the young forward, who had earlier helped England qualify for Euro 2009 with a hard-fought 2-2 draw in Spain.

"I'm happy with the result, but the performance can always be better," admitted Jones after the match.

"However, we've got two new players and a new backroom team, so we're still getting to know each other. For the girls to put on a performance like that with hardly any preparation shows me that they're hungry and we'll see who we get in the next round."

After the game, however, all thoughts were with the unfortunate Leeds Carnegie captain.

"Jess has gone to hospital," Manager, Rick Passmoor explained.

"It looks like a long-term knee injury and we all wish her well and hope she has a speedy recovery."