Late goals from Guro Reiten and Mayra Ramirez sent Chelsea to the top of the WSL table on Saturday, as they triumphed over Manchester City in a high-stakes top-of-the-table clash.
The match appeared to be heading for a draw after a tense and cagey affair at Stamford Bridge, but Mayra Ramirez had other plans.
The Colombian forward shrugged off Alanna Kennedy, drove at defender Alex Greenwood, and then expertly finished past goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, igniting Chelsea’s attack and sending the home fans into raptures.
Just four minutes later, Chelsea doubled their lead. Guro Reiten controlled a precise pass from Lucy Bronze with a single touch before curling a clinical shot into the net from inside the box.
The Chelsea faithful erupted as Sonia Bompastor’s side continued their perfect start to the season, securing their seventh consecutive league win and handing Manchester City their first defeat of the campaign.
Player of the match Erin Cuthbert said Chelsea are ”loving” player under their new Boss, Bompastor.
”I see a lot of similarities between Emma [Hayes] and Sonia,” she told Sky Sports. ”They’re both winners, they don’t care how the job get’s done just as long as it’s done.”
”Emma left good foundations for Sonia to build on.”
For Gareth Taylor’s side, it was a disappointing trip to London. Without their star playmaker, Lauren Hemp, who has been instrumental this season, City struggled to create opportunities.
Striker Bunny Shaw was kept under control by Chelsea’s defence, and without Hemp’s creativity, she was unable to reach her usual heights.
The clash was a stark reminder for all WSL clubs that Chelsea, though under the helm of a new manager, remain the team to beat in England. A seamless transition from Emma Hayes to Sonia Bompastor has left the Blues looking stronger and more dominant than ever.
As the season unfolds, Chelsea will be determined to maintain their momentum, while Manchester City will need to regroup and bounce back from their first defeat.
Starting XIs:
Chelsea: Hannah Hampton (GK), Lucy Bronze, Nathalie Bjorn, Millie Bright (C), Sandy Baltimore, Erin Cuthbert, Sjoeke Nusken, Johanna Rytting Kanyerd, Maika Hamano, Guro Reiten, Mayra Ramirez
Manchester City: Ayaka Yamashita, Leila Ouahabi, Alex Greenwood (C), Alanna Kennedy, Kerstin Casparij, Jill Roord, Yui Hasegawa, Jess Park, Mary Fowler, Aoba Fujino, Khadija Shaw
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