Brighton & Hove Albion Women delivered a thoroughly convincing home display on Sunday evening, sweeping aside Charlton Women 5-1 at Broadfield Stadium in the FA Women's Super League. A dominant first half laid the foundation, and although Charlton briefly threatened a response after the restart, the Seagulls reasserted control with two late goals to complete a comfortable victory.

It was exactly the kind of performance Brighton's home supporters have been hoping for: sharp in possession, aggressive without the ball, and ruthless in front of goal.

Match overview

Brighton started brightly and were rewarded inside the opening quarter of an hour, taking the lead through a well-worked move down the right. Charlton, to their credit, responded with a spell of pressure and equalised midway through the first half, briefly silencing the home crowd. But the Seagulls regathered themselves quickly, scoring twice before the interval to go in with a deserved cushion.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Charlton pushed bodies forward in search of a way back into the game, but Brighton's midfield kept their shape and picked off the spaces left behind. Two further goals in the final 20 minutes turned a good win into a statement one.

Key moments

• 13 minutes — Beth Rowe opened the scoring with a composed finish after being played through one-on-one.
• 27 minutes — Rosie Hale levelled for Charlton, converting from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
• 36 minutes — Lauren Ashby restored Brighton's lead with a header from a corner.
• 44 minutes — Tilly Grant made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time, finishing a fast counter-attack.
• 71 minutes — Amber Wharton added a fourth, curling a shot into the far corner from the left side of the box.
• 88 minutes — Chloe Fenwick completed the rout with a low drive from just outside the area.

Tactical story

Brighton set up with a fluid front three that constantly rotated positions, making it difficult for Charlton's defenders to pick up runners. The width provided by the full-backs stretched the visiting back line, and the Seagulls repeatedly found joy by overloading one side before switching play quickly to the other.

Charlton's best moments came when they pressed high and forced turnovers in Brighton's half, but those spells were too short to build real momentum. Once Brighton's midfield settled into a rhythm, the game became one-way traffic, with the home side dominating possession and territory for long stretches of the second half.

Standout players

Lauren Ashby was a constant threat from set pieces and led the line superbly, while Amber Wharton's second-half goal capped an energetic display in midfield. Tilly Grant's timing on the counter was excellent, and her finish on the stroke of half-time effectively ended Charlton's resistance. For the visitors, goalkeeper and captain led by example, but the side struggled to contain Brighton's attacking width.

What it means for the table

The three points lift Brighton into a healthier position in the WSL standings and give their goal difference a welcome boost, particularly valuable in a division where European places can hinge on fine margins. Charlton remain in need of a response, with defensive organisation likely to be the focus on the training ground this week.