A rather bright day graced the fans at Stamford Bridge for a London derby between Chelsea Women and Tottenham in the Women’s Super League. The Spurs had done very well in the league up until facing London City Lionesses, with the up-and-coming team brushing them aside with a 6-1 scoreline at Brisbane Road.
Chelsea haven’t been ones to get results as lopsided this season. It would still be good to see the Blues replicate something like this against the Spurs, as a show of our own strength in the WSL.
For this to happen the Blues would have to show a different approach to attacking. Preferably one that didn’t lead to so many shots getting blocked or off-target, unlike the Lionesses who hit the target in almost 50% of their attempts against Tottenham two weeks ago.
We did get the opening goal thanks to a moment of sheer brilliance from Lauren James. But even her didn’t have the kind of pace or impetus in front of goal that could beat Tottenham’s well-set line of defenders that were blocking almost every shot of ours towards their goal.
That wasn’t the case with Tottenham. They knew they wouldn’t have many chances against us and they needed to make the most out of any opportunity coming their way. That they did, thus equalising the scoreline via Matilda Vinberg in the final minutes of the first half.
Here we were again, seemingly on a path much like the others we had to travel in previous matches this season. We needed something different if we were to veer away from another disappointing draw or, even worse, a loss at Stamford Bridge.
Ellie Carpenter kickstarted everything, arriving late in the box to get us back in the lead in the early second half. Two more goals came in quick successful after captain Erin Cuthbert, as well as Maika Hamano and Sjoeke Nüsken, were introduced. James netted her brace while Nüsken got herself in the scoresheet.
An amazing shot from Maika Hamano added a fifth for Chelsea, which was duly answered by Tottenham’s Signe Gaupset a minute later. Signe’s goal itself got an answer as well via Ellie Carpenter.
Carefree!
- Lauren James starts.
- We can’t rely on individual brilliance to beat a team like Tottenham.
- A much better second half from the group.
- Next up: Crystal Palace away in the Women’s Super League.
- KTBFFH!
