Million-dollar Girma has Chelsea debut cut short

The USA centre-back Naomi Girma's debut for Chelsea ended early as she was brought off with an injury in their 2-2 draw at Brighton.

- Tom Garry

The world's first $1m women's footballer, who signed for Chelsea from San Diego Wave in January for a $1.1m (£874,000) fee and has had to wait for her debut while recovering from a calf injury that caused her to miss the SheBelieves Cup in February, had to be withdrawn just before the hour. It was an absorbing contest in which a hard-working Brighton side gave Chelsea more than just a scare.

The result maintained Chelsea's unbeaten season so far in all competitions under Sonia Bompastor, but they dropped points in the league for only the second time. Chelsea went early on, thanks to a volley from France's Sandy Baltimore, but the Netherlands left wing-back Marisa Olislagers drew Brighton level in the 22nd minute from a tight angle.

Chelsea fell behind before half-time when Vicky Losada scored for the hosts, but Lauren James scored from close range on the rebound with 29 minutes remaining to move Chelsea within just seven games of completing an entire Women's Super League campaign unbeaten.