Chelsea are on the brink of a fifth-successive Women’s Super League title after edging Tottenham in a nervy 1-0 win on Wednesday night. The Blues will go into the final day of the season on Saturday level on points with Manchester City, but they are top of the table thanks to a superior goal difference and are in pole position to be crowned champions of England once more.
Emma Hayes’ side didn’t have it all their own way in this London derby, with two strong penalty shouts waved away by referee Emily Heaslip, and they struggled to create many clear-cut chances. The biggest one fell to Maika Hamano early on but she made amends for sending a free header over the bar when she scored Chelsea’s long-awaited opener just before the break.
However, that didn’t open any floodgates and Spurs asked questions of the Blues, especially early in the second half when Luana Buhler forced Aggie Beever-Jones to make a massive block before Ashleigh Neville fired over from close range. Fortunately for Chelsea and their title hopes, though, they held on for all three points despite Fran Kirby missing a great chance to put the result beyond doubt in the closing stages. Hayes’ side need to beat Manchester United on Saturday, but do that, and they’ll likely retain their title.
GOAL rates Chelsea’s players from Brisbane Road…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Zecira Musovic (6/10):
Had a sloppy moment in possession early in the second half that was almost costly, but was otherwise able to deal with the little thrown at her.
Ashley Lawrence (6/10):
Got forward plenty and contributed to the build-up play well.
Millie Bright (7/10):
Her best performance since her return from injury.
Nathalie Bjorn (6/10):
Solid at the back without being troubled too much.
Niamh Charles (8/10):
Her and Reiten worked brilliantly down the left. Superb cross to Hamano for the opening goal.
Midfield
Erin Cuthbert (7/10):
Tenacious as ever in the middle of the park, winning possession back more than any other player.
Melanie Leupolz (6/10):
Some nice passes in the final third to create chances.
Catarina Macario (8/10):
Thrived in this deeper role, picking up space where she could and using it to cause Spurs problems.
.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
Attack
Maika Hamano (8/10):
Made amends for an early miss with some good movement and a great finish for the opener. A lively performer all night.
Aggie Beever-Jones (7/10):
A handful for Spurs’ centre-backs, if not as involved as she usually is when she plays out wide. Made a huge block in her own box to deny Buhler when Chelsea were under pressure.
Guro Reiten (6/10):
Linked up well with Charles to cause Tottenham issues down the left.
.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
Subs & Manager
Jess Carter (5/10):
The first of a triple sub just after the 70-minute mark. Settled into the defence just fine, without doing anything spectacular. Took a necessary booking late on to help Chelsea secure the win.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (6/10):
Electric pace gave Spurs something to think about in the last 20 minutes.
Sjoeke Nusken (5/10):
Couldn’t have much influence in her short cameo.
Lauren James (N/A):
On for the final 10 minutes and added something to the attack.
Fran Kirby (N/A):
Came on with James and had a golden chance to make it 2-0, but didn’t get the finish right.
Emma Hayes (6/10):
Had her hands tied a little with some injuries but put out a team that allowed some names to be rested ahead of the final day, though that almost proved costly with the tight nature of the result. Subs came a little later than anticipated.
