Chelsea started the season under the lights of the Bridge with a victory that begins the defense of the blues’ throne in the WSL.
Mia Fishel and Lauren James scored the goals that secured Chelsea a deserved opening day victory in the best of venues for the first London derby of the season: Stamford Bridge.
Niamh Charles provided two assists on a night that was only marred by the opponent’s goal. Martha Thomas took advantage of a loose ball to score with a quarter of an hour remaining, but the Blues overcame the final stages to score their first three points of the campaign.
For the first time since the 2019/20 season, Chelsea breaks the curse and wins its first league game. Coincidences of life, it was also against Tottenham at the Bridge.
CHELSEA 2 – TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1
After the rigorous minute of silence for the sudden death of Maddy Cussack, Tottenham started this long-awaited opening match on a cloudy afternoon. Sjoeke Nüsken and Fishel made their official debut dressed in blue.
The home team created two good opportunities in a row in the early stages. Nüsken rose highest to meet Guro Reiten’s corner kick, a header that forced Becky Spencer into a great save. Shortly after, it was James, after a hard play on the left, who took a shot that went just a few centimeters off the target.
Both teams were working well in the transitions, but finally it was the blues who broke the deadlock just before the half hour mark.
Charles lifted a cross for Fishel. The American headed a header over Spencer into the far corner, opening her Chelsea account in style.
James began to weave his magic and put in a left-footed shot that narrowly missed the far post. At the other end, Tottenham were denied an equalizer when Mušović made an excellent one-on-one save. Bright hooked the rebound almost over the line to prevent the Spurs from scoring.
James continues to shine for the blues
We came back from the locker room and both teams gave us a lively start to the second half. James did not want to waste time and in the 51st minute he scored the second for the hosts.
A Guro Reiten shot crossed the line clearly before being cleared by Ash Neville. The referee ordered them to continue, denying the home team the second. Reiten left the celebration in disbelief and picked up the ball to put it to Charles, who left the ball on a plate for James to volley from close range.
Before game time we celebrated Fran Kirby’s return to the green after a long period in the infirmary.
The game was slowly falling asleep and, with a quarter of an hour left, Martha Thomas scored a goal for the visitors. A blunder by Mušović who managed to stop a previous shot, but instead of securing the ball with his body, he decided to play catch with his leg from the ground. The former United player pounced on the practically loose ball inside the area and pushed towards the empty goal.
The Swedish goalkeeper made up for that mistake almost immediately when she stooped to deflect a Jessica Naz shot that could have been a 2-2 tie against the post.
Jelena Čanković scored on the next play, but the referee disallowed the Serbian’s goal due to Fishel being offside.
The Blues took the three points from Stamford Bridge, but the Spurs gave them a very bad time in the final minutes of the match.
MATCH SHEET
Chelsea: Mušović (P), Charles, Carter, Bright (C), Mjelde (Čanković, min. 84), Nüsken (Leupolz, min. 59), Ingle, L.James (Lawrence, min. 77), Reiten (Fleming , min. 77), Kaneryd (Kirby, min. 58) y Fishel.
Coach: Emma Hayes.
Spurs: Spencer (P), Neville, Bartrip (C), Bühler, A. James, Summanen, Spence (Naz, min. 61), Ahtinen (Ale, min. 61), Clinton (Graham, min. 90+2) , Ildhusøy (Ayane, min. 72) and Thomas.
Coach: Robert Vilahamm.
Goles: 1-0 Fishel (min. 28), 2-0 James (min. 51) y 2-1 Thomas (min. 76).
Referee: James Bell.
Party held at Stamford Bridge (London).
Attendance: 14,776 people.
Incidents: Yellow card to Spence (Spurs, min. 30).
Premio “Player of the Match”: Lauren James.
Author: Marga Martin
Photography: Chelsea FC Women
2023-10-06 02:14:35
#blues #defend #throne #Bridge #Queens #ball
