Chelsea Women kicked off their WSL title defense with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City, thanks to goals from Aggie Beever-Jones and Maika Hamano. The match was a closely contested affair at Stamford Bridge, with both teams displaying their quality. Chelsea’s win extends their impressive unbeaten run in the league, while Manchester City will look to bounce back after a hard-fought defeat. Sonia Bompastor also reached 20 WSL wins in record time.
Stamford Bridge witnessed a captivating start to Chelsea's Women's Super League title defense as they secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Manchester City. Aggie Beever-Jones and Maika Hamano etched their names onto the scoresheet, ensuring the Blues began their 2025-26 campaign on a winning note against a formidable opponent.
Chelsea, fresh from completing a domestic treble in Sonia Bompastor’s impressive first season, demonstrated their resilience and title aspirations. The match was a tactical chess match, with both sides showcasing their quality and determination. The victory extends Chelsea's impressive unbeaten run in the WSL, signaling their intent to dominate the league once again.
The first half was a pulsating affair, marked by brilliant goalkeeping and near misses. England’s Euro 2025-winning goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, was called into action early, denying Khadija Shaw with a sharp save. At the other end, Ayaka Yamashita showcased her agility, palming away Sandy Baltimore’s deflected shot. The deadlock was finally broken in the 31st minute, thanks to a well-executed move by Chelsea. Nathalie Bjorn's incisive pass released Ellie Carpenter down the right flank. Carpenter, after skillfully maneuvering past Alex Greenwood, delivered a pinpoint cross for Aggie Beever-Jones, who calmly swept the ball home, sending the Chelsea faithful into raptures.
Manchester City almost responded immediately, with Greenwood's powerful free-kick rattling Hampton’s crossbar late in the first half, highlighting their attacking threat. The visitors started the second period with renewed vigor, with Yui Hasegawa going close on two occasions, but Chelsea's defense stood firm.
Against the run of play, Chelsea doubled their lead in the 64th minute. Wieke Kaptein's clever cutback found Maika Hamano, who clinically tucked the ball into the net, extending Chelsea's advantage. However, City refused to back down. Five minutes later, Niamh Charles inadvertently headed the ball into her own net, reducing the deficit and injecting fresh life into the game. Despite the own goal setback, Chelsea managed to weather the storm. Khadija Shaw squandered a golden opportunity to equalize, and City's woes were compounded by injuries to Greenwood and Lily Murphy in the closing stages.
WHAT A WAY TO START THE SEASON!! #CFCW pic.twitter.com/pgvnslxZvQ
— (C)helsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) September 5, 2025
Data Debrief: Bompastor's Record-Breaking Start
Chelsea's dominance under Sonia Bompastor is undeniable. Last season, they won 19 of their 22 WSL matches, demonstrating their consistency and hunger for success. Bompastor's impact has been immediate and profound, seamlessly taking over from the legendary Emma Hayes. Friday’s victory marked Bompastor's 20th WSL win in just 23 outings, surpassing Jonas Eidevall's previous record of 25 games. This achievement underscores her tactical acumen and ability to motivate her squad.
Chelsea's unbeaten streak in the WSL now stretches to an impressive 26 games, a testament to their resilience and quality. The current run dates back to Hayes’ tenure, illustrating the club's sustained excellence. Only Chelsea themselves (33 games between February 2019 and January 2021) and Manchester City (31 between May 2015 and May 2017) have enjoyed longer unbeaten runs in the WSL, placing the current Chelsea squad in elite company.
Manchester City, despite the defeat, can take heart from their performance. They amassed 17 shots compared to Chelsea’s eight, indicating their attacking intent. However, they only narrowly edged the expected goals (xG) battle (1.4 to 1.23) and failed to capitalize on the momentum gained after Charles’ own goal. This defeat will undoubtedly serve as motivation for City as they aim to challenge for the title.
The match was a compelling showcase of the Women's Super League, highlighting the talent, passion, and competitive spirit within the league. Chelsea's victory sets the stage for an exciting season, while Manchester City will be eager to bounce back and prove their title credentials.