In late January, dialogue is normally about successful the switch window moderately than successful the league. On a moist Sunday afternoon in London, Chelsea did each.
Unveiling earlier than kick-off in opposition to a membership who had additionally tried to signal her might be thought-about one thing of an influence transfer, however finally it was a mere assist act for the principle occasion. Chelsea weren’t at their finest in opposition to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, struggling to get their attackers on the ball in harmful conditions, however Guro Reiten’s late penalty proved sufficient to win the sport 1-0 — and absolutely to win the league too.
“It was a very good afternoon by way of the announcement,” mentioned Chelsea supervisor Sonia Bompastor afterwards. “And by way of the consequence.”
The victory put Chelsea 9 factors away from Manchester Metropolis, and 10 forward of Arsenal. There are 10 video games remaining, and Chelsea nonetheless have to go to each Manchester golf equipment earlier than the tip of the marketing campaign. However the title is definitely wrapped up.
Chelsea, for all their success — this could be their sixth title on the trot — aren’t used to successful the league comfortably. Final season, they received the title on aim distinction, the season earlier than by two factors, in 2021-22 by a single level, in 2020-21 by two factors, and in 2019-20 by 0.1 factors per recreation after the sudden Covid shutdown. Chelsea have normally impressed by their capability to desperately get throughout the end line. This season, they’re miles clear.
The notable factor, in mild of one other massive new signing, was that Chelsea received this recreation because of their energy in depth.
Substitute Reiten scored a penalty that had been earned because of the trickery of Lauren James, one other substitute, who was enjoying her first WSL recreation because the reverse fixture. Together with Maika Hamano and Aggie Beever-Jones, they represented a ‘backup’ attacking quartet that isn’t noticeably weaker than the beginning 4 of Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Catarina Macario, Sandy Baltimore and Mayra Ramirez.
“These sitting within the stands deserve to start out typically — they’d the proper mentality even when they have been pissed off,” mentioned Bompastor. “When approaching, they’d a huge impact.”
Girma’s impression will presumably be to enhance Chelsea’s defence, though this can be a facet that has conceded simply six instances in 12 WSL matches this time period. Contemplating Millie Brilliant is the membership captain, was named participant of the match, and is arguably the league’s finest aerial defender — in all probability Girma’s solely shortcoming — it is going to possible be Nathalie Bjorn, signed this time final 12 months from Everton, who makes means. That’s considerably harsh on the Swede, though she’s able to slotting in at right-back or within the centre of midfield, and Bompastor spoke concerning the tactical prospects Girma’s arrival will present, permitting her to play a again three when required.
Chelsea are so dominant this season that their competitors is not going to come from different sides within the league however from one of the best sides in earlier WSL seasons. Possibly Chelsea are competing in opposition to themselves. They already maintain the document for many factors received in a marketing campaign — 58 from two seasons in the past — and the prospect of an unbeaten season is already being contemplated.
In Bompastor’s post-match press convention, the primary query was about whether or not she’s trying to win all 4 trophies out there and go unbeaten. Clearly, she hit again with the standard stuff about taking every recreation because it comes, that they’ve received nothing but and the way they should hold the proper mentality, though right-back Lucy Bronze was requested about the identical matter, and was a lot bolder.
“We wished to get a very good stretch of factors (forward) in order that once we’re going out in March, April, Could — once we’re making an attempt to compete within the , the Subway Cup, the — that’s troublesome and also you may drop factors, however we’re in a very good place now the place we will afford that,” she informed the BBC.
“However we need to go the season unbeaten. There are information on the market to interrupt. Chelsea is a group that’s all the time wished to try this. We’ve by no means clinched the Champions League, I feel it’s 5 in a row with the league titles, however unbeaten is unbelievable and we’re on a very good street to try this.”
Amid the miserable sight of seeing their facet slip to defeat, Arsenal followers might at the very least amuse themselves by signing ‘Champions of Europe, you’ll by no means sing that’ to the house supporters, referencing the Gunners’ 2007 victory when the competitors was often known as the ‘UEFA Ladies’s Cup’.
With Chelsea on this temper, maybe they need to watch out about tempting destiny.
This text initially appeared in .
Chelsea, NWSL, UK Ladies’s Soccer
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