Sonia Bompastor praised Ellie Carpenter’s impressive Chelsea debut in their 2-1 WSL victory over Manchester City. Carpenter’s assist, defensive contributions, and overall impact highlighted her quality. Bompastor, who coached Carpenter at Lyon, expressed no surprise at her immediate success. Chelsea extended their unbeaten WSL run to 26 matches, while Manchester City’s new manager, Andree Jeglertz, felt his team deserved a draw. The game showcased Carpenter’s potential to be a key player for Chelsea this season.
Sonia Bompastor expressed her satisfaction with Ellie Carpenter's stellar debut performance for Chelsea in their Women's Super League (WSL) clash against Manchester City. The Chelsea manager admitted she wasn't surprised by Carpenter's immediate impact, highlighting the defender's quality and experience.
Chelsea commenced their WSL title defense with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. The match showcased Carpenter's capabilities as she played a crucial role in Chelsea's win. She assisted Aggie Beaver-Jones’ opening goal, demonstrating her attacking prowess from the right-back position. Her defensive contributions were also noteworthy, as she won 10 out of her 11 duels, regaining possession seven times and creating two chances from six attempted crosses, solidifying her position as a dynamic presence on the field.
Bompastor, who previously coached Carpenter at Lyon, spoke highly of the Australian international. "I know Ellie by heart, and I’m not really surprised about her Chelsea debut and her debut in the league," Bompastor said. "She’s a great player. As you could see tonight, she brought an immediate impact on the performance and on the result. She has this quality, so it’s a good addition to our squad and it’s good to have her here. Having the opportunity to bring players with her quality into Chelsea is always something really positive, and we are really proud to have her in our squad."
Carpenter's arrival at Chelsea has undoubtedly bolstered their squad, providing both defensive stability and attacking impetus. Her familiarity with Bompastor's tactics from their time together at Lyon has allowed her to seamlessly integrate into the Chelsea setup. Her performance against Manchester City suggests she will be a key player for Chelsea as they pursue further success in the WSL and beyond.
WHAT A WAY TO START THE SEASON!! #CFCW pic.twitter.com/pgvnslxZvQ
— (C)helsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) September 5, 2025
Chelsea's victory also extended their unbeaten run in the WSL to 26 matches, a streak that began during Emma Hayes' tenure as manager. Bompastor has quickly made her mark, setting a record for the fewest matches taken to reach 20 wins in the English top-flight (23). "I’m pleased with the result, but also with the performance," Bompastor added.
Bompastor further elaborated on the game, stating, "I think we had control in the first half. We created the most dangerous opportunities in the game, but conceded from a set piece. At the end, the game was more transitional because I think both teams were probably not 100% physically, but overall, I think we had a good performance in and out of possession. We were strong."
On the other side, Andree Jeglertz oversaw his first competitive match as Manchester City's manager. Despite the loss, the Swedish coach believed his team deserved at least a point. "Of course I’m disappointed," Jeglertz told Sky Sports. "I think we deserve based on how we were playing, especially in the second half and the chances we are creating, I think we should have a result with us. But when we analyse the game afterwards, there is a lot of things we can bring with us that shows that we are challenging Chelsea during the whole game and we definitely will do that during the season."
The match served as a promising start to the WSL season for both teams, with Chelsea demonstrating their title credentials and Manchester City showing signs of potential under their new manager. Carpenter's debut was a major highlight, signaling her intent to become a key figure in Chelsea's quest for silverware.