In a decisive conclusion to a closely contested chess match of a game, Chelsea emerged victorious thanks to goals from Mayra Ramírez and Guro Reiten, propelling them ahead of Manchester City at the summit of the WSL table. The agony etched on Alex Greenwood’s face after Ramírez slipped past her, the sole instance in the 96 minutes, underscored the magnitude of the loss. Both coaches had downplayed the game's impact on the title race, recalling City's four-point haul against Chelsea last season, which ultimately saw Chelsea clinch the title on goal difference. Yet, the dejected expressions of the City players at the final whistle hinted at a different reality.
Chelsea now sails with the wind at their back, with Sonia Bompastor’s team two points clear of their rivals following the 2-0 victory and holding an additional game in hand. Many had anticipated that the WSL’s two top sides would be separated by the narrowest of margins. When the teamsheets were revealed, Chelsea’s odds improved with the notable absences of Lauren Hemp and Greenwood’s defensive partner, Laia Aleixandri, for the visiting team. Gareth Taylor had been evasive about Hemp’s fitness after a knee injury sidelined her from their midweek Champions League win over Hammarby. The absence of the forward, who has created 26 chances in the league this season, was keenly felt at Stamford Bridge, where Khadija Shaw’s service was limited in the first half, compelling her to drop deeper in search of the ball.
City dominated possession but struggled to convert, with their best chance coming when Sandy Baltimore’s back pass inadvertently set up Shaw, whose shot went wide, sparing the French defender’s embarrassment. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, the WSL player of the month for October, was Chelsea’s brightest spark, yet the Blues lacked a cutting edge, with Maika Hamano and Reiten both failing to capitalize on opportunities created by Rytting Kaneryd. The forward’s shot was expertly blocked by Aleixandri’s replacement, Alanna Kennedy, just before halftime.
The second half saw a more frenetic pace, perhaps driven by the tense atmosphere, the slipping chance to maintain a winning streak for the home team, or the diminishing likelihood of City extending their lead at the top. The game highlighted the defensive prowess of England’s centre-backs, Millie Bright and Greenwood, with the latter’s perfectly timed tackle around the 50-minute mark symbolizing the fierce battle between her and Ramírez, as well as the ongoing struggle between Bright and Shaw.
In the 75th minute, an opening finally emerged. Alanna Kennedy was outmuscled, leaving Ramírez one-on-one with Greenwood, whom she sidestepped before firing into the far corner past Ayaka Yamashita. With City rattled, Chelsea doubled their lead five minutes later when Lucy Bronze delivered the ball to an unmarked Reiten on the right, who curled it into the bottom corner. Chelsea now boasts seven wins from seven games under Bompastor, having cleared their biggest hurdle to date.
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
