Chelsea’s record-breaking 34-game unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League came to a shock end on Sunday as Everton stunned the defending champions 1-0 at Kingsmeadow, handing Sonia Bompastor her first defeat as Blues boss.

Honoka Hayashi’s 12th-minute strike proved decisive despite Chelsea dominating possession and creating numerous chances. The hosts either produced wayward finishes or found Ireland international Courtney Brosnan in inspired form, making two outstanding first-half saves from Catarina Macario and Alyssa Thompson.

A goalmouth scramble in stoppage time epitomized Chelsea’s frustration – two goal-line clearances and two efforts off the bar somehow kept the ball out as Everton claimed their first WSL win over Chelsea in 12 years. The defeat leaves Chelsea six points behind leaders Manchester City with the season approaching its halfway stage.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Livia Peng (6/10): Had nothing to do except pick the ball out of her net after Hayashi’s opener.

Ellie Carpenter (5/10): Beaten to the ball by Hayashi for the game’s decisive moment. A costly lapse.

Lucy Bronze (6/10): Marshalled Gago well in an intriguing individual battle despite playing an unfamiliar position.

Naomi Girma (6/10): Moved the ball well and dealt effectively with Everton’s counter-attacks to prevent further damage.

Sandy Baltimore (7/10): Chelsea’s brightest performer. Consistently troubled Everton with positive, confident runs at defenders while delivering dangerous set pieces. Hit the bar with the last kick.

Midfield & Attack

Keira Walsh (5/10): Tidy on the ball but couldn’t provide the moment of quality needed to carve Everton open.

Maika Hamano (5/10): Some decent possession moments but needed better off-ball movement to become more threatening.

Catarina Macario (5/10): Linked play nicely and forced Brosnan’s fantastic early save but operated too deep to be a consistent threat.

Alyssa Thompson (6/10): One of Chelsea’s livelier performers. Unlucky not to score after Brosnan’s first-half save, then fired just wide after the break.

Aggie Beever-Jones (5/10): Worked hard with nice creative moments but lacked service.

Lauren James (5/10): Got 55 minutes under her belt on her first start since injury. Looked lively considering her layoff and forced a good Brosnan save but lacked incision.

Sam Kerr (4/10): On the end of plenty of chances but couldn’t provide her trademark clinical finish, with one particularly bad miss.

Bompastor’s attacking lineup lacked structure at times as players got in each other’s way. Her substitutions addressed the problem but the ball simply wouldn’t go in.

Also read: Less Than 12 Months Since Joining The Club, Arsenal Full-Back’s Exit Looks Inevitable

Chelsea Women have announced a long-term partnership with Signify Group to strengthen protection against online abuse targeting players, coaches and staff.

The collab will utilize Signify’s Threat Matrix service to monitor and respond to threats across major social media platforms including X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, as well as the club’s own channels.

Chelsea Women Partner With Signify Group to Combat Rising Online Abuse Across Social Media Platforms: How Threat Matrix Works

The service combines artificial intelligence technology with human analysis to detect abusive and threatening content in real-time across 42 languages.

Once identified, Signify provides actionable evidence allowing Chelsea to take sanctions against perpetrators, including stadium bans and ticket restrictions. The most serious cases that cross the criminal threshold are escalated to police and relevant authorities for potential prosecution.

Threat Matrix will also monitor direct messages, which have become an increasingly common avenue for targeted harassment. The protection extends beyond just players to include coaches, key staff and even family members who may find themselves targeted due to their connection to the club.

Educational Component Included

Beyond monitoring and detection, Signify will deliver educational workshops for the Chelsea Women squad. These sessions aim to equip players and staff with knowledge about navigating the digital world confidently while understanding the risks and available support mechanisms.

A Chelsea spokesperson emphasized that player welfare remains paramount, stating the partnership represents proactive steps to address online abuse and ensure everyone associated with the club can focus on competing at the highest level without distraction.

Growing Problem in Women’s Football

The announcement comes amid mounting evidence that online abuse in women’s sport is accelerating alongside its growing profile. Recent BBC analysis revealed over 2,000 extremely abusive social media posts were sent about Premier League and WSL managers and players during a single November weekend, with Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor facing 50% of all WSL abuse.

Signify CEO Jonathan Hirshler noted online abuse represents one of modern sport’s most pressing challenges, with the company detecting a 25% year-on-year increase in abuse levels. He applauded Chelsea Women’s leadership in taking proactive measures to create safer environments.

Also read: Keira Walsh Reveals Majority of WSL Players Have Suffered Online Abuse as She Demands Action From Authorities

Malo Arthur Gusto, commonly known as Malo Gusto, is a French professional soccer player who plays for the Premier League club Chelsea and the France national team as a left-back. A product of Olympique Lyon’s youth academy, he spent his early career with Lyon before moving to Chelsea in June 2023. He is one of the highest paid players of Chelsea.

At 20 years old, the highly-rated defender is renowned for his versatility and explosive playing style, incorporating physicality and impeccable technical ability into his game. Gusto epitomizes the modern full-back, showcasing defensive and offensive prowess that establishes him as one of the best talents.

This article delves into the key aspects of the French talent’s life, exploring his early years, family background, net worth, career, and more.

Malo Gusto | Early life and family

Malo Gusto was born in Décines-Charpieu, a commune in the Metropolis of Lyon in eastern France. Hailing from a middle-class household, his family originally comes from Martinique, a West Indies Island nation. Malo’s father, Phillipe Gusto, works for the French railway company, while his mother serves as a director in a French association focused on welfare.

Malo Gusto was the only child of his parents but grew up in an extended family. Initially, his father’s passion for rugby led Malo to join a local rugby team. However, fate had different plans for him, and he later switched to soccer. In his family, education held significant importance, with his parents ensuring a balance between his academic pursuits and sports.

Malo Gusto | Club Career

During his early academy days, Malo Gusto played as an attacker with AS Villefontaine in 2012, where he spent three years before moving to another local club, Bourgoin-Jallieu. His one-year stint there marked the beginning of his career, and his impressive performances caught the eye of Olympique Lyon’s scouts during a local tournament.

Olympique Lyon

In 2016, Malo Gusto signed his first professional contract at 14, marking his official entry into the Lyonnaise Academy. Olympique Lyon’s youth system is recognized as one of the most elite talent producers in France, providing Gusto with the opportunity to polish his skills and nurture his talent within a professional environment and top-class facilities.

It was during his time with the youth team that Gusto made the transition to a defender, primarily opting for the right-back position, a decision that proved to be the best for him. His background in rugby training also played a role in enhancing his skills and overall game. Climbing the ranks with his talent, he progressed to join the U19 team and, a year later, secured a spot in the club’s reserve squad in 2020.

In January 2021, Gusto made his first appearance for the first team as a substitute, coming on for the current Newcastle star Bruno Guimares in Ligue 1. Following several more impactful appearances, he secured another contract with Lyonnaise, extending his commitment until 2024

Next season, Malo Gusto secured a spot as a regular player on the main team. He marked a significant milestone by making his first start for the club in the season opener against Brest in August. This accomplishment earned him the title of the youngest defender to start in a French league.

Chelsea

Sensing the potential of the French talent, Premier League side Chelsea paid a £30 million transfer fee to secure his signature on a long-term deal that runs until 2030 in the January window of 2023. However, he was allowed to stay at Lyon for the remainder of the season on loan to ensure regular minutes and further development.

The right-back officially arrived in the English capital to don the blue Chelsea jersey at the start of the season in August. Gusto made his debut in the league opener against Liverpool and has since earned a place in Mauricio Pochettino’s team, making a total of 19 appearances and providing 4 assists this season.

Malo Gusto | International Career

Malo Gusto has represented the French youth team at various age group levels. He initially played as a midfielder in the Under-16 youth squad before transitioning to a full-back during his Under-17 and Under-18 days, showcasing his versatility as he progressed through the national team setup.

The pinnacle of his career arrived when the left-back received a call-up to the France men’s team under Didier Deschamps in August of last year. Initially remaining on the bench in a friendly against Scotland, he later made a 10-minute appearance in the 2-1 victory over the Dutch in the European qualifiers. Gusto finally scored his first goal for Chelsea against the Wolverhampton Wanderers. He scored his goal after 165 matches.

Malo Gusto | Net Worth

Reportedly, Malo Gusto has an estimated net worth of €7 million, primarily attributed to his salary at Chelsea. He earns an annual salary of £7 million at Chelsea. His overall salary has increased and his net worth reached a milestone as well.

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