A last-gasp Rachel Williams header sealed a much deserved win for Birmingham, keeping their FA Women’s Super League title hopes very much alive.
Blues took the lead in the first half courtesy of Williams, but Chelsea fought back with Helen Lander and Hayley Moorwood putting their side ahead.
But Birmingham grabbed a deserved win, as Jo Potter scored the equaliser, then Williams scored her second goal of the day and 14th of the season in the 90th minute.
With a lot riding on this match for the hosts, the game got off to a slow start as Blues were happy taking their time and playing some neat passing football, but it only took 15 minutes for star striker Williams to let the Chelsea defence know that she meant business.
The ball was played into the box and Izzy Christiansen knocked it down to Williams, but the 23-year-old narrowly missed from close range.
Williams was involved again nine minutes later, by threading a delightful through ball to Karen Carney, and with the England international bearing in on goal, Carly Telford had to be at her very best in the visitors’ goal to tip over Carney’s effort.
From the resulting corner, Williams broke the deadlock.
The FAWSL’s leading goalscorer bundled home past Telford, as Potter’s corner caused all sorts of problem in the Chelsea box.
The away side responded well and Laura Coombs went close with a 20-yard strike, but Birmingham were in total control for the rest of the half.
David Parker’s side could have doubled their advantage but full back Chelsea Weston headed Potter’s free kick just wide of the right post on 30 minutes.
The Blues continued to knock the ball around nicely for the remainder of the half and carried on in the same vein after the break.
However, Chelsea levelled proceedings in the 56th minutes – slightly against the run of play.
Lander found herself in plenty of space 25-yards out, and with Marie Hourihan off her line, the striker lobbed the Blues ‘keeper.
The visitors went close to taking the lead moments later, with Ashlee Hincks drawing Hourihan into a fine save, and from the resulting corner, Weston was forced to clear the ball off the line.
Chelsea didn’t have to wait long for their second, though, as a long ball in behind the Blues defence was poked past the onrushing Hourhan by Morwood.
Birmingham piled the pressure on Chelsea after the goal and had two golden opportunities – with a little under 20 minutes left – to equalise.
The prolific Williams looked certain to score, when inside the area, but substitute goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill somehow managed to savage the goal-bound effort. Moments later, substitute Duni Susi also missed a great chance when she headed inches wide from close range.
Birmingham did find an equaliser, though, with ten minutes to play.
Carney worked her way into the box and laid the ball off to Jo Potter, who smashed the ball home from the edge of the area.
Blues pushed hard for a winner, and got their just rewards, as the brilliant Williams headed home from ten yards.
Attentions now turn to Arsenal’s game in hand at home to Everton on Thursday night. Anything but a win for the Gunners, and the Blues will have things in their own hands heading into the last day of the season at Doncaster Rovers Belles.
Blues: Hourihan, Weston, Harrop, Stanton, Bassett (C), Williams, Carney, Potter, Moore, Christiansen (Susi 67), Westwood.
Unused subs: Wright, Curtis, Scheuber, Watts.
Chelsea: Telford (Quantrill 26) Perry, Davies (C), Bonner, Champ (Cole 73), Buet, Moorwood, Coombs, Lander, Plewa (Longhurst 45),Hincks.
Unused subs: Fay, Mills.
Goals: Williams (24), Lander (56), Moorwood (62), Potter (80), Williams (90).
Bookings: Champ (20), Stanton (82).
Player of the match: Rachel Williams
Attendance: 413
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