Refreshments on board, Aggie Beever-Jones gets the ball back rolling for the second half.

Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor would not be drawn when asked in her news conference yesterday about Catarina Macario's rumoured big-money move to San Diego Wave.

Macario joined Chelsea from Lyon in 2023 and has scored 12 goals for the club.

"I haven't' heard anything about Macario yet," the Blues boss said of the United States forward.

She is still a Chelsea player for now. She was still with us [on Tuesday]."

However, one player who confirmed her exit from Chelsea this week was Guro Reiten, the Norwegian winger who left after winning 13 trophies in six years with the club to join Gotham FC.

"Guro was a great player for the club for many seasons and had a lot of success," Bompastor said.

"She said goodbye to everyone and it was good to have her. We wished her all the best for the future."

Jess Park finds her passing range at last, picking out Julia Zigiotti Olme on the edge of the box with a neat cut back.

The Swede runs onto it and strikes first time but she's denied by a strong save from Kinga Szemik.

Now if only Manchester United can keep doing that they might have some joy.

Jen Beattie
Former Scotland defender on BBC Women's Football Weekly

I have loved watching Guro Reiten - maybe not playing against her as much because she has been a phenomenal player.

When you see someone show so much loyalty to a club and see how much it means to her with a really emotional heartfelt goodbye message, you have to feel for them. It must have been hard to make that decision - to leave the club midseason as well when you might not necessarily get the proper goodbyes.

You saw the pain and sadness of leaving a club she absolutely loved. Respect levels are through the roof for a player like Reiten.

United pass from left to right across the midfield and then back again, before doing that a few more times over.

They look lost for ideas up against this West Ham mid block.

Image source, Getty Images

It's been as busy a week off the pitch for Chelsea with several pieces of personnel news.

Midfielder Guro Reiten suddenly departed the club for NWSL outfit Gotham FC last Tuesday after six years in West London. She won 13 trophies, including six WSL titles during her time at the club.

Then last Friday the club announced that star forward Lauren James had signed a new contract until 2030, which she backed up with a player of the match and goalscoring performance in the League Cup final two days later.

And the latest bit of news out of Cobham is that forward Catarina Macario could be set to leave. Reports from across the pondsay that she's signed a deal to join San Diego Wave in the NWSL, external.

We're yet to get solid confirmation on this side of the water though, with Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor not giving anything away in her press conference.

For context, Manchester United are donning their purple and white third strip this evening.

Jess Park reaches the byline on the right but then massively overhits the cross and it loops well over every waiting purple and white shirt in the middle and out of play on the far side.

The Manchester United backline try and fail to stop Viviane Asseyi as she charges into the box before jinking inside and out and firing centimetres over the top left corner.

Nice effort from the forward but it was a pretty tricky angle to shoot from.

Fran Kirby touched the ball just nine times in that first half on her return to Chelsea.

Brighton had a mere 29.8% possession, and Kirby, who scored more than 100 goals for the Blues, surely needs to be more involved after the break.

Image source, BBC Sport

Captain Maya le Tissier has the opportunity to deliver into the box but she sends Manchester United's first corner right into the gloves of Kinga Szemik.

Simply not good enough yet from the visitors.

Gilly Flaherty
Former Chelsea defender on BBC Three

I am surprised in the build-up how easy it was to just play the ball straight through Manchester United's midfield.

West Ham are on the front foot and in Manchester United's face. They don't like it.

Oona Siren turns away from several Manchester United players in midfield before laying off for Shekiera Martinez to strike.

The German gets plenty behind it but it's aimed straight at Manchester United keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

Image source, Getty Images

Lexi Potter's first senior goal has Chelsea in the lead at the break.

Brighton have been impressive though, so this one is far from over yet.

Not really a fan of the 'As it stands' table aside from on the final day, but I'm going to refer to it anyway now.

With tonight's results as is, Chelsea will be leapfrogging Manchester United into second place in the race for Champions league qualification.

Gilly Flaherty
Former Chelsea defender on BBC Three

West Ham are just creeping a bit higher now so that when they do have a turnover they have potentially five bodies in Manchester United's third.

Some sloppy Brighton passing presents Lauren James with the ball in the final third.

She unselfishly threads a pass forward to give Aggie Beever-Jones a shooting opportunity but the striker is denied by a strong left hand from Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Jess Park tricks her way past Ines Belloumou to make room for a shot from distance. She winds up her left foot but doesn't quite catch it well enough and it's a routine gather for Kinga Szemik.

Still nothing of note yet in east London.

We expected United to come out swinging after that League Cup final defeat on Sunday, but West Ham have been rather comfortable.