Goals from Lexi Potter and Melvine Malard helped secure the three points for The Blues in front of 4,793 fans at Stamford Bridge.

Inside the opening five minutes, the hosts registered attempts on goal from Veerle Buurman and Keira Walsh.

Potter opened the afternoon’s scoring with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box, following visiting keeper Sophie Baggaley’s stoppage of Alyssa Thompson’s initial close-range effort.

Chelsea then came close to doubling their lead through a chance from Sjoeke Nüsken, but her header hit the bar.

Sonia Bompastor’s side started the second half strongly, but attempts from Walsh and Thompson were blocked by Baggaley.

Just before the hour mark, Birmingham City were close to levelling matters when Wilma Leidhammer’s close-range effort was blocked by Hannah Hampton.

Second half substitute Malard then made an impact for Chelsea on her first appearance at Stamford Bridge. Her close-range shot doubled the hosts’ lead in the 71st minute.

In the final minutes, both sides looked to create opportunities. Katie McCabe’s shot for Chelsea was blocked while Birmingham City went close through a free-kick from Océane Hurtré. In the end, the scoreline remained 2-0 to the hosts.