Karen Carney misses penalty as Birmingham City hold Chelsea

Karen Carney, targeted this week by horrific social media abuse, had to wait until past the hour to play against her hometown and former club. The England centurion was coming into an attack that had failed to break down its opponent and her 75th minute penalty, struck at the right height for the Birmingham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger who saved well to her left, was the epitome of another frustrating afternoon for a Chelsea team that has scored just twice in six WSL matches.

Last week’s 5-0 defeat to Arsenal had ended a two-year unbeaten run at home, and an unblemished 25-game WSL sequence for the reigning champions. The Chelsea manager, Emma Hayes, is searching for the correct blend in an altered squad and it remains to be seen whether the “maternal side” she has spoken of showing her players can help restore their previous dominance. Chelsea have won just one league match this season, and this was their third goalless away draw.

READ MORE: England’s Karen Carney sent horrific messages after Chelsea beat Fiorentina

READ MORE: Pogba row with Mourinho ‘normal’, says former United defender

Defensive strength had carried Birmingham to joint-top of the league. Chelsea striker Fran Kirby had multiple attempts on goal but the ball never quite sat right; there was usually a Birmingham defender at close quarters or a last-ditch challenge blocking her way.

When Marisa Ewers left the field after 13 minutes with a shoulder injury which required hospital treatment, Marc Skinner, the Birmingham manager, had to rejig. Harriet Scott, after an unfathomably long eight-minute wait, came on as right-back and Chloe Arthur moved into midfield. That did not stem the flow of Chelsea attacks, usually conducted by the playmaking skills of Ji So-Yun. It was not until the 24th minute that Chelsea mounted an attack of note, one that ended with Arthur drifting her shot wide.

The Chelsea onslaught resumed with Bethany England striking the base of the post and Kirby having first a shot and then a header saved at point blank by Berger. Birmingham striker Emma Follis was meanwhile operating in splendid isolation from team-mates.

Skinner likes his team to play out from the back but though it was a perilous policy against an opponent whose coaches were urging their players to press high it eventually led to the storm being weathered by the end of the first half. Chelsea appeared a little wearied by their midweek endeavours.

Chelsea began the second half on the same front foot. Kirby went close once more with a piece of back-heeled improvisation, with Berger again equal to the task. Carney immediately added liveliness and invention and had an early chance with a header she could not get enough purchase on.

When Kerys Harrop tackled Ji in the box, the referee called what looked a most harsh penalty. Carney’s moment had arrived, but she failed to capitalise on it. Even after Birmingham were reduced to 10 by Hayley Ladd’s second bookable offence, Chelsea failed to find a way through, with Ji’s header forcing a fine late save from the excellent Berger.