Chelsea Women used a bitterly cold midweek clash with Brighton at Kingsmeadow as a springboard for what could prove a season-defining match at the weekend against WSL leaders Manchester United.

The Sunday lunchtime match, expected to be a sell-out, is live on BBC2, guaranteeing a big nationwide audience.

The Blues beat Brighton 3-1 on Wednesday night, achieving just the bounce back that manager Emma Hayes had called for after the previous weekend’s Conti Cup final defeat by Arsenal.

While United’s away record against Chelsea is poor on paper (three WSL games, three defeats), Hayes knows she’s facing an inspired and rejuvenated United… and a club that has already beaten all London opposition on awaydays this season.

The danger woman is Alessia Russo, coveted by the Gunners but still a Manchester Red. She has eight goals to her name in 12 league matches.

Hayes expects to keep more or less the same line-up as she used against Brighton, with Zecira Musovic retaining the goalie’s jersey, and Sam Kerr leading the line up front. But Lauren James, rested in midweek, will return to the starting XI.

With freezing rain swirling around Kingsmeadow on Wednesday it was no surprise that the attendance dropped below the 1,000 mark to 916. But those hardy souls, sipping their Bovril and pulling their woolly hats down over their ears, were treated to a great turn-and-shoot goal from Jess Carter in the 21st minute after Guro Reiten had scored from the spot nine minutes earlier.

Although Hayes keeps calling for VAR, she was probably glad it hasn’t been installed in Kingston as the penalty, awarded for a foul on Kerr, would have been ruled out for offside.

Aimee Claypole made her debut for the Blues in the freezing midweek duel with Brighton

The Blues made it 3-0 through Jo Kaneryd halfway through the second half, with the only slight blot on the evening coming as the final whistle approached, as sub Dan Carter scored when Brighton broke forward.

Great to see 17-year-old Aimee Claypole given a little run up front on Wednesday, coming on for Mellie Leupolz in the 81st minute after Kerr had been subbed moments earlier. Claypole took her place in the heart of attack, and looked busy, determined and keen on her debut, having joined the club a year earlier.