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Emily Keogh, ESPN FCNov 16, 2024, 03:06 PM ET
Chelsea clinched a vital 2-0 victory over Manchester City to move top of the Women’s Super League (WSL) table and stake their claim on a sixth consecutive title. It was a stalemate between the sides in an unusually passive display until the 75th minute.
Both sides were struggling to take their chances until Maika Hamano expertly picked out Mayra Ramírez, who created a perfect solo goal. The strike allowed Chelsea to breathe, and within four minutes, the side added a second through Guro Reiten, claiming all three points. This marked Manchester City’s first defeat of the season after they secured six wins and a draw to start their campaign.
The 2-0 result means Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor maintains her perfect start to the season, now unbeaten in all seven of Chelsea’s WSL games (with a game in hand), in addition to three Champions League victories.
Chelsea’s perfect start remains intact
At what point will Chelsea drop points? Not anytime soon, it seems. Bompastor’s emphatic fist bump and “yeah!” exclamation at the final whistle reflected just how much this result means to the team and to their title hopes. Following their 100% perfect start to the season, Chelsea excised their biggest demon and title rival in Manchester City to take their winning streak to 10 games (seven WSL; three UWCL).
Bompastor, who only joined The Blues in the summer, curated Chelsea’s best start to a WSL season ever. No manager has ever secured seven consecutive wins to start their tenure, allowing the French manager to make history in only a few months in charge.
She has overcome her biggest tests with ease, blazing through the competition as if she has been leading the side in the WSL for years. The reality is that she has only been at the helm for four months, expertly and swiftly taking over after Emma Hayes’ 12-year tenure to create a winning machine with her own style.
At times this season it has not always looked comfortable, and Chelsea have looked vulnerable. Yet their mentality, depth and ability to find a breakthrough has separated them from other teams.
Speaking ahead of this potentially decisive title clash, midfielder Erin Cuthbert told ESPN that the manager demands high standards in training, explaining how Chelsea are able to overcome their biggest tests with ease. Before this, they defeated Arsenal in a comfortable 2-1 victory to mark their first victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea now sit at the top of the table, with a current two-point cushion ahead of City. They also have steamed ahead in goal difference with plus-22, more than Arsenal and City combined who both have plus-10.
To add salt to the wound for City, Chelsea still have a game in hand against Manchester United to be played next week. If Chelsea can continue their perfect run, they will be five points clear of their title rivals with only eight games of the season played.
City struggle in the absence of Hemp
City were seriously missing Lauren Hemp, ruled out for a minor knee injury, leaving their attack less than desirable. Hemp, who has been a key figure in City’s attack all season, missed the mid-week Champions League clash with Hammarby and was ruled out ahead of their travel to the London club.
Her absence was felt throughout the evening as prolific scorer Khadija Shaw was left starved of opportunities as Mary Fowler and Aoba Fujino failed to provide clear-cut chances for the Jamaican international to finish.
The few chances Shaw did have, though, she squandered. It was obvious that last year’s Golden Boot winner was getting frustrated by the situation but could not generate anything herself, muscled off the ball by Millie Bright and controlled by Hannah Hampton‘s quick interceptions of the ball. Shaw was also dropping deeper to help with the lack of control in midfield, meaning no one was the line’s focal point when City could get going.
Man City left-back Leila Ouahabi was overrun by Chelsea’s Johanna Kaneryd’s pace and physicality, removing her as an additional attacking threat and leaving City vulnerable on the left side. City are feeling the absence of Laia Aleixandri at the back, too, who has been missing since the most recent international break. Their defensive line has been lacking control following her injury.
City have not given a timeline on Hemp or Alexiandri’s returns, but the sooner they return, the better for manager Gareth Taylor and the team’s title hopes.
Chelsea’s mentality pays off
Chelsea, usually dominant in front of goal, were struggling with their decision-making in the final third, opting for the wrong pass or shot and failing to register their chances on target. It was a passive opening hour and it wasn’t until the 75th minute when Chelsea’s patience paid off.
It was a rather subdued start from The Blues who struggled against Celtic midweek in the Champions League, going behind for the first time this season but using their experience and mental strength to fight back and secure a win. The fatigue in the side was apparent, however. Chelsea’s trademark mentality, something that the players and manager praised when speaking to ESPN before the game, was vital in separating the sides in the top-of-the-table clash.
Their possession, only 36.6%, was also far lower than what Bompastor usually hopes for, adding to why Chelsea lacked a clinical edge. This did not matter in the end as patience and belief in their system paid off, resulting in two goals in four minutes.
The win is made more impressive given the current injuries Chelsea are facing. Key figures Mia Fishel, Sam Kerr and Sophie Ingle are still ruled out with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries with no return date in sight.
Niamh Charles (shoulder), Kadeisha Buchanan (knee injury) and Lauren James (ankle) are all recent absences with indefinite returns, forcing Bompastor to make changes to her tactics and lineup that contributed to their struggles in front of goal.
However, it was a statement win from Chelsea and an example of what Bompastor’s Chelsea looks like: ruthless, controlled and a real winning machine.
