Melvine Malard scored twice on her Chelsea debut as the Blues closed in on a place in the Champions League tournament proper with a 5-2 win against Real Sociedad in the first leg of the third qualifying round.

France forward Malard, who was signed from Manchester United for about £850,000 this summer, came on as a substitute in the 55th minute with the score at 2-2 and pulled her new side head after 12 minutes on the field.

Played through by Sjoeke Nusken, Malard rounded Sociedad goalkeeper Julia Arrula and finished into an unguarded goal at Cherry Red Records Stadium.

The 26-year-old then capped a memorable debut, tapping home full-back Ellie Carpenter's low cross for her second in the 88th minute and sealing the 5-2 win for Chelsea, who finished third in the Women's Super League (WSL) last season.

Sonia Bompastor's side were stunned only seven minutes into their season opener by Ainhoa Marin, who curled an effort from the edge of the box into the top corner to give the Spanish side a 1-0 lead.

But the hosts struck back at the half-hour mark through their captain Naomi Girma, who headed in corner from another new signing Katie McCabe, who joined the eight-time WSL champions after her Arsenal exit.

Chelsea then took the lead from another corner as Lauren James' delivery was headed home by Dutch defender Veerle Buurman early in the second half - only for Sociedad to equalise through Cecilia Marcos.

But Malard ensured her team's victory with a late double which sandwiched a goal from James.

The second leg will be played in Spain on Wednesday, 2 September (18:00 BST) - three days before the Blues begin their WSL campaign against Aston Villa.

Chelsea are to play their home domestic cup and European league-phase ties at Wimbledon's home ground while all of their WSL home games will be hosted at Stamford Bridge starting this season.