Setting up for a grey London Derby in N17. Tottenham Hotspur are currently having a record-breaking season, but they face off against the reigning champions of England. Will Chelsea get back on track in a disappointing couple of games, or will Spurs push ahead in their efforts to climb the table?
Spurs
Lize Kop (GK), Amanda Nilden, Signe Gaupset, Bethany England (C), Olivia Holdt, Matilda Vinberg, Clare Hunt, Hanna Wijk, Eveliina Summanen, Toko Koga, Julie Blakstad
Chelsea
Hannah Hampton (GK), Ellie Carpenter, Millie Bright (C), Veerle Buurman, Sjoeke Nusken, Erin Cuthbert, Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Johanna Rhytting-Kaneryd, Keira Walsh
Tottenham Hotspur Used Subs
Olga Ahtinen, Lenna Gunning-Williams, Cathinka Tandberg, Matilda Nilden,
Chelsea Used Subs
Lexi Potter, Sandy Baltimore, Sam Kerr, Guro Reiten, Chloe Sarwie
First 5-minute came with full Chelsea possession in the Spurs half. But both teams soon found a rhythm. With Chelsea maintaining the majority of possession and Spurs allowing this, they found their chances on the counterattack.
Keira Walsh set up Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in the 13th minute for a close-range effort that was ultimately gathered by Kop, while a dangerous Lauren James cross five minutes later narrowly missed Sjoeke Nüsken.
With penalty box pinball, goalkeeper spills and volley shots, Spurs looked like they were all over chelsea attacking wise in the first half. But all they needed in reward was a goal.
But a Chelsea corner taken by Erin Cuthbert was headed down by Julie Blakstad. It lands in the middle of the box for Keira Walsh to hit on the half volley, sending it past Lize Kop. After 38 minutes, it’s 0-1 to the Blues.
Erin Cuthbert steals the ball from the Spurs defence, playing it to Johanna Rhytting Kaneryd. She dribbles it further into the box to Alyssa Thompson, who lays it off for Lauren James. She hits it first time, sending it over the crossbar.
At the end of the first half, while Chelsea beat Tottenham in possession, Spurs dominated with shots testing their goalkeeper and defence. But Chelsea found a way through with a goal from Keira Walsh. With 45 minutes left to play its Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea
Just before the second half, Chelsea made their first substitution with youngster Lexi Potter coming on for Keira Walsh.
4 Minutes into the half. Sjoeke Nusken finds herself one-on-one with Lize Kop. Takes a shot and is initially blocked by the keeper. Alyssa Thompson is there for the rebound and hits it first time into the top left corner. Straight after the break, it is 0-2 to Chelsea.
Chelsea made their second substitution of the match with Sandy Baltimore coming on for Lauren James.
Soon after, Spurs made their first substitutions for the match, seeing Julie Blakstad on for Olga Ahtinen, Matilda Vinberg for Lenna Gunning Williams and Beth England leaving for Cathinka Tandberg.
Corner headed away by the spurs defence, landing for Sandy Baltimore. She hits it, sending it towards lots of bodies in the box, where it lands for Girma. She shoots, but the ball is caught by Kop.
Tottenham’s next subs saw Signe Gaupset off for Matilda Nilden.
Chelsea looks strong in the middle, but Spurs look like they’ve had the wind taken out of them. They’re looking for a goal but are struggling to maintain possession.
With 20 minutes left to go, both teams are in need of fresh legs. Araya Dennis comes on for Hannah Wijk for Tottenham. While Chelsea brings on Guro Reiten, and Sam Kerr are on for Alyssa Thompson and Sjoeke Nusken.
A Tottenham Chance saw a ball from Tandberg in the middle sent out to Olivia Holdt. She found herself one-on-one with Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. She shot straight at the keeper, what could have been gamechanging chance for Spurs keeps the score at 0-2 to the visitors.
Substitution for Chelsea saw an injured Millie Bright coming off for youngster Chloe Sawie. A change in formation for the blues going for an attacking last 10 minutes.
Just toward the end of the 5 minutes added time, Johanna Rhytting-Kaneryd comes charging down the right flank. She tries to go around Kop, but she’s able to reach for the ball, preventing a third goal.
The stats flipped from the first half to the second with Chelsea claiming even more possession and dominating in shots. While Tottenham looked like they had the wind taken out of them after the second goal early in the second half. Final score in North London is Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Chelsea.