Chelsea started their WSL title defense with a win against Manchester City, showcasing their familiar resilience despite new faces and tactical adjustments. Ellie Carpenter made an immediate impact with an assist, while Sam Kerr returned from injury. Manchester City, under a new coach, displayed tactical innovations but failed to convert chances. Chelsea’s ability to capitalize on opportunities secured the victory, reinforcing their status as title contenders.
The Women's Super League roared back into action, and the question echoing around Stamford Bridge was a familiar one: Can anyone dethrone Chelsea? Sonia Bompastor's tenure began with a hard-fought victory over Manchester City, a result that felt both new and distinctly Chelsea. The Blues weren't at their scintillating best, but they displayed the clinical edge that has become their trademark, securing a win that suggests the path to the title still runs through West London.
New faces graced both sides, tactical tweaks were evident, but the underlying narrative remained the same: Chelsea find a way to win. Former Chelsea defender Gilly Flaherty, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, noted, "Both teams are nowhere where they want to be. If City made better decisions going forward, they could have had more chances. Chelsea didn't look invincible as such, but they looked like creating. I think both teams will look different in a few weeks."
Last season, Chelsea often appeared vulnerable, with opponents sensing opportunities for exploitation. Yet, they swept all before them domestically, securing the WSL, FA Cup, and League Cup titles without defeat. Their opening game this season followed a similar pattern. They needed time to decipher City's revamped approach under new manager Andree Jeglertz.
The pre-match atmosphere was electric, fueled by the introduction of Alyssa Thompson, Chelsea's high-profile signing, and the return of Sam Kerr after 20 months on the sidelines. Compatriot Ellie Carpenter also debuted, bringing pace and dynamism to the full-back position. Once Chelsea adjusted to City's fluidity, they asserted control.
Carpenter’s impact was immediate, exploiting the space against City captain Alex Greenwood. Her relentless runs and quality deliveries created the opening goal, assisted to Aggie Beever-Jones. Chelsea doubled their advantage in the second half, capitalizing on their attacking prowess while City failed to convert their own chances. Niamh Charles's own goal provided a glimmer of hope for City, but Chelsea held firm. The Chelsea faithful's chants for Kerr underscored the sense that even without their talismanic striker at full fitness, the Blues remain a force to be reckoned with.
Bompastor said, "Yeah, I'm pleased with the result but also the performance. In the first half we had control and created the most dangerous opportunities. We were able to keep some really good players at City quiet. We had a strong start in the season and I'm pleased with that, but it's only the first game. In terms of the psychological aspect, it's always important to beat a big opponent and someone who is trying to fight for the league. I won't go crazy with these three points. We still have 21 [games] to go." Her measured response reflects the understanding that while this victory is significant, the season is a marathon, not a sprint.
Ellie Carpenter's integration into the Chelsea setup was seamless, owing to her prior relationship with Bompastor at Lyon. With Lucy Bronze sidelined, Carpenter seized the opportunity, showcasing her pace and attacking intent. Bompastor lauded Carpenter's instant impact, highlighting her familiarity with the player's qualities: "It was a great performance from Ellie. I know Ellie by heart so I was not surprised by her debut for Chelsea and in the league. She is a great player. You could see she brought an immediate impact on the performance and the result. She has this quality and she's a good addition to our squad. It's good to have her at Chelsea. We are really proud to have her."
Manchester City displayed a new tactical approach under Jeglertz. Greenwood shifted to left-back, Lauren Hemp operated on the right, and midfielders Hasegawa and Lohmann interchanged positions. Jeglertz emphasized dynamism and versatility, seeking to unlock new attacking avenues. He said, "What is an important thing for me in my way of looking at football is that we need to be dynamic. I think it's the key thing for players to be able to play in different spaces and not always just in one area. [Hemp's switch] gives us so many more ways to attack and more possibilities - not just with crosses, but with central combinations. I like players who are versatile like she is. She is a clever football player and is good at combining with players. It gives more opportunities for her to combine."
The Swedish coach acknowledged the need for improvement in converting chances and preventing goals. "We put a lot of energy in the high press and I thought we nailed it in the second half. The way Chelsea's formation was initially, we didn't really expect that. But of course, everything is about scoring goals and we conceded two. We created enough chances to get at least one point - but that is how it is."
Chelsea's victory over Manchester City was a statement of intent, signaling their determination to remain at the summit of the Women's Super League. While new strategies and faces emerged, the result underscores Chelsea's winning mentality and their ability to adapt and overcome challenges. However, with a long season ahead and rivals fine-tuning their approaches, the race for the title promises to be fiercely contested.
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed