Sonia Bompastor’s ruthless gamble pays off as Chelsea sink the reigning champions to reclaim top spot in WSL title race: Chelsea 1-0 Man City
Chelsea secured a deserved 1-0 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge to leapfrog their rivals and reclaim top spot in the WSL table.
Sandy Baltimore’s first-half goal was enough to ensure Chelsea inflicted City’s first defeat of the season and blow the title race wide open.
After keeping the reigning WSL champions at bay following an early barrage, Chelsea grew in confidence but still lacked the cutting edge that had seen them held to back-to-back draws in recent weeks.
A moment of magic from Baltimore in the fourth minute of stoppage time ensured history would not repeat itself.
City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita was sent off in the 75th minute for a rash challenge on Alyssa Thompson, a move which appeared to invigorate the visitors, but Chelsea held firm to see out all three points.
Daily Mail Sport’s Tara Anson-Walsh and Samara Watts were at Stamford Bridge to bring you the things we learned…
Chelsea inflicted City’s first defeat of the season and blew the title race wide open
City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita was sent off in the 75th minute for a rash challenge on Alyssa Thompson
Buchanan’s feeling the blues
Devastation for Kadeisha Buchanan, who was hooked after 11 minutes by Bompastor. The centre back has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season but had an unusually shaky start to this match as she looked out of her depth against Bunny Shaw, ever a precarious place to be against the league’s top striker.
Buchanan gave an early ball away to allow Shaw to race through towards the Chelsea goal, and a few minutes later was again outmuscled and outpaced by the Jamaican striker, although City failed to capitalise on both occasions.
The 31-year-old Canada international looked devastated when her number flashed up on the board after just 12 minutes and reluctantly welcomed a hug from her manager as she headed straight for the tunnel.
Her replacement, the 20-year-old Veerle Buurman, who was outstanding against Shaw in the two sides’ last meeting in the FA Cup, changed the game, giving Chelsea a more solid platform to build upon as they grew in confidence.
Confident to step out from the back line and build forward, Bompastor hinted at half-time that the move had, indeed, been tactical.
If so, it showed the lengths Bompastor is willing to go to reclaim this title. Whether it will serve her in the long term, though, remains to be seen, with one of her best players’ confidence now undoubtedly knocked.
The centre back has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season but had an unusually shaky start to this match and was hooked after just 11 minutes
Royalty in the building
Women’s football royalty Sarina Wiegman, Emma Hayes and Ian Wright braved the chilly climes of Stamford Bridge to witness the showdown between the WSL heavyweights on Saturday afternoon.
The freshly anointed Dame Wiegman sat next to Hayes and the pair chatted warmly. This is a relationship that will no doubt drop in cordiality as the sand in the hourglass ahead of next summer’s World Cup continues to run down.
Wiegman had several England players on her watching brief, not least young Lexi Potter, whose stock has risen dramatically this season. The 20-year-old put in another assured performance against the reigning champions, continuing to demonstrate her maturity in the highest stakes, which will no doubt put her in a good position ahead of Tuesday’s squad announcement.
The Dutch coach will have been alarmed by the number of crunching tackles put in against her right back, Lucy Bronze, in this match. If there is one player that she will want to wrap up in cotton wool ahead of Brazil, it is the recently turned 35-year-old Bronze for her steadfast leadership and relentless athleticism.
Another player looking to make an impact ahead of Tuesday’s squad announcement was Aggie Beever-Jones, who has struggled this season and was left out of Sonia Bompastor’s starting line-up. An injury to Melvine Malard saw her gain more minutes than she would have expected, but she will have been disappointed not to have converted after once again finding herself in good positions.
Another player who finds herself in a race against time is Manchester United’s Ella Toone. Toone was left out of yet another of Eva Olid’s starting line-ups as Manchester United stormed to a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, and the two-time Euros winner will be growing increasingly concerned with her situation as Brazil edges nearer.
The freshly anointed Dame Wiegman sat next to Hayes at the WSL showpiece and the pair chatted warmly
Chelsea’s Malard blow
Melvine Malard’s absence raises questions about who Chelsea’s main goalscorer will be this season. The squad has lacked a clinical edge without England striker Lauren James, who will be out with a hamstring injury until the international break.
Chelsea are averaging 24 shots per game, an unprecedented rate across a WSL campaign, but have recently struggled to convert their chances. They were held to a 0-0 draw against BK Hacken midweek and a 1-1 draw against Everton last weekend.
The French forward went off injured after 35 minutes. Although she missed the start of the season after picking up a knock in pre-season, she has been the Blues’ top scorer in the absence of Lauren James, scoring six league goals so far.
Malard leaving the pitch meant Chelsea struggled for a creative spark up front. Replacement Aggie Beever Jones has been dealing with an ankle injury, and is still trying to find her feet with only one goal in the WSL.
French International teammate Sandy Baltimore had a moment of magic on the edge of the box to make it 1-0. Chelsea’s first shot on target gave them the lead before half time, but they were unable to capitalise on any of their chances in the second half.
Malard limped off in the first half and meant Chelsea struggled for a creative spark up front
Yamashita’s moment of madness
Stamford Bridge was in uproar as Manchester City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita rushed out of her box to take down Alyssa Thompson, who had a clear chance on goal.
The blues were mounting a dangerous attack down the left hand side, with Alyssa Tompson just outside the box when Yamashita tackled her to the ground.
The Japanese goalkeeper was shown a straight red card in the 75th minute and was sent off the pitch. This was Manchester City’s first red card in the WSL since November 2023.
The referee allowed the Cityzens three minutes to replace the Japanese goalkeeper, with Scotland’s number one Eartha Cumings coming on to replace forward Aoba Fujino.
Cumings was given her first test only minutes later, as Aggie Beever Jones’ right footed shot from an indirect free kick dropped dangerously, but she was saved by the bar.
Yamashita could miss City’s next three games before international break, meaning the Cityzens could be without their first choice goalkeeper when they face Tottenham Hotspur at home next week.
Stamford Bridge was in uproar as Manchester City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita rushed out of her box to take down Alyssa Thompson, who had a clear chance on goal
Chelsea take top spot
Chelsea’s win at the Bridge breaks the title race wide open, as they are now just one point ahead of Man City at the top of the WSL table.
Sonia Bompastor’s side ended Manchester City’s unbeaten streak. The Blues look dangerous with 24 league goals compared to Manchester City’s 16 after 10 games.
However, with seven shots and just one on target this game, Chelsea will look at their attacking options as they take on Liverpool and London City Lionesses before the international break.
Manchester City were unable to create opportunities in front of goal, with the WSL’s all-time leading goalscorer Vivianne Miedema’s return overshadowed by Ayaka Yamashita’s nightmare in goal.
London City Lionesses face Arsenal tomorrow at the Emirates. London City is in third place with 19 points, and a win in North London could bring them two points behind Manchester City.
