SONIA BOMPASTOR commended Hannah Hampton for her contributions in Chelsea’s win over Brighton, despite a communication lapse that led to an Albion goal.

The Blues’ goalkeeper made several outstanding saves as Sjoeke Nusken netted twice, resulting in a 4-2 triumph against the Seagulls on Sunday.

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The home team registered their ninth consecutive victory, preserving their flawless season and maintaining a five-point lead.

Bompastor’s squad matched Arsenal’s record of nine straight wins in the top division from the 2018-2019 season.

The high-scoring affair at Kingsmeadow included two goals conceded by Chelsea due to defensive lapses.

This included Hampton’s attempted clearance in the 71st minute that led to Kiko Seike’s goal, Brighton’s second.

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Blues head coach Bompastor noted: “Hannah had a commendable performance, even when reflecting on the goal we gave away.

“Nonetheless, I don’t dwell on those moments when we win.

“My priority is the players’ willingness to try, even if they fail. I encourage bravery and confidence to keep pushing forward.

“When you review her game, the balance of her performance is decidedly positive.

“She produced some incredible saves that kept us competitive, and that’s my main focus.”

The Seagulls, who were without forward Fran Kirby due to a calf injury, aggressively challenged their opponents in a late surge.

Brighton recorded nine shots on target throughout the match, resulting in significant saves from Hampton, including a crucial stop from Seike late on.

Bompastor additionally remarked: “Prior to the match, someone pointed out in the press conference that dominating the league isn’t good for it.

“This game proved we have a fiercely competitive league.

“We expected a tough match with players returning from international duties.

“During this season, fatigue can be an issue, and maintaining focus on performance and energy is crucial for success.”

Ex-Chelsea midfielder Jelena Cankovic had a shot cleared off the line in the ninth minute during a hectic first half.

Jorelyn Carabali forced a quick reflex save from Hampton half an hour into the match.

Nusken eventually broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, capitalizing on Brighton’s attempt to play from the back, sliding the ball across the line.

Chelsea surged to a 2-0 lead in the 40th minute when Aggie Beever-Jones caught Albion goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley off guard.

However, Brighton responded with Cankovic finding the net just before halftime to trim the deficit.

In the second half, highly-touted forward Michelle Agyemang came on for the visitors.

Chelsea then increased their advantage to 3-1 through Johanna Rytting Kaneryd following a deflection of Lucy Bronze’s shot by Baggaley in the 51st minute.

Agyemang, on loan from Arsenal, brought hope for a draw for Brighton by intercepting Hampton’s clearance and assisting Seike’s powerful shot.

Seike later had a late opportunity thwarted by Hampton before Chelsea capped off the victory with Nusken’s header in injury time.

This result pushed Albion down to fifth place ahead of their league encounter against Tottenham on Saturday, while Arsenal moved into third place, and Manchester United positioned fourth.

Brighton’s manager Dario Vidosic stated: “We knew we had to start strong and were aiming to win.

“We could have scored five or six.

“We made a few minor mistakes which are not typical for us, but that’s part of our growth.

“I’m genuinely proud of the players’ efforts, especially under the circumstances leading into this match.”

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“We lost three players—Fran (Kirby), Maisie (Symonds), and Madison (Haley)—to injuries during the international break.

“Given the performance we displayed, it would have been ideal to get something from the match.

However, we fell short, and we’ll use this experience to prepare for our next game on Wednesday night (in the League Cup against Bristol City).”