In late January, dialogue is often about successful the switch window slightly than successful the league. On a moist Sunday afternoon in London, Chelsea did each.
Unveiling earlier than kick-off towards a membership who had additionally tried to signal her may very well be thought-about one thing of an influence transfer, however finally it was a mere help act for the principle occasion. Chelsea weren’t at their finest towards 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 great afternoon by way of the announcement,” mentioned Chelsea supervisor Sonia Bompastor afterwards. “And by way of the end result.”
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 unquestionably 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 gained the title on objective 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 sport after the sudden Covid shutdown. Chelsea have often impressed by their capability to desperately get throughout the end line. This season, they’re miles clear.
The notable factor, in gentle of one other huge new signing, was that Chelsea gained this sport due to their power in depth.
Substitute Reiten scored a penalty that had been earned due to the trickery of Lauren James, one other substitute, who was enjoying her first WSL sport for the reason that 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 generally — that they had the suitable mentality even when they have been pissed off,” mentioned Bompastor. “When approaching, that they had a huge impact.”
Girma’s affect will presumably be to enhance Chelsea’s defence, though this can be a aspect that has conceded simply six occasions in 12 WSL matches this time period. Contemplating Millie Shiny 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’ll probably 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 potentialities Girma’s arrival will present, permitting her to play a again three when required.
Chelsea are so dominant this season that their competitors won’t come from different sides within the league however from the most effective sides in earlier WSL seasons. Possibly Chelsea are competing towards themselves. They already maintain the file for many factors gained 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 obtainable and go unbeaten. Clearly, she hit again with the standard stuff about taking every sport because it comes, that they’ve gained nothing but and the way they should preserve the suitable mentality, though right-back Lucy Bronze was requested about the identical matter, and was a lot bolder.
“We needed to get a great stretch of factors (forward) in order that after we’re going out in March, April, Could — after we’re attempting to compete within the , the Subway Cup, the — that’s tough and also you would possibly drop factors, however we’re in a great place now the place we will afford that,” she instructed the BBC.
“However we wish to go the season unbeaten. There are data on the market to interrupt. Chelsea is a staff that’s all the time needed 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 great street to try this.”
Amid the miserable sight of seeing their aspect slip to defeat, Arsenal followers may not less than 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 Girls’s Cup’.
With Chelsea on this temper, maybe they need to watch out about tempting destiny.
This text initially appeared in .
Chelsea, NWSL, UK Girls’s Soccer
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