Chelsea Girls 2-1 Man Metropolis Girls: Reigning WSL champions start title defence with nervy victory

Reigning Girls’s Tremendous League champions Chelsea started their defence with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over title rivals Manchester Metropolis.

On an entertaining opening evening – the place Chelsea launched their new £1m signing Alyssa Thompson earlier than kick-off and welcomed Sam Kerr again to the fold – the Blues scored two slick targets both facet of the break, comparable in nature, to safe Sonia Bompastor a record-breaking twentieth WSL win.

The Frenchwoman turns into the quickest supervisor within the competitors’s historical past to achieve that complete, regardless of being pushed all the way in which by dogged Metropolis, who performed aggressively within the model of recent head coach Andree Jeglertz and compelled Niamh Charles into an ungainly personal aim which made for a nervy finish.

Earlier than that, Bunny Shaw had squandered a handful of possibilities, whereas Yui Hasegawa and Lily Murphy have been denied by Chelsea’s faultless goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, as Metropolis landed extra photographs on the right track and generated a greater xG worth than their hosts. Chelsea have been in truth diminished to their fewest photographs (8) since February 2021.

However, impressively crafted strikes from Aggie Beever-Jones and Maika Hamano have been in the end decisive, making certain an ideal begin for the “efficient” champions at Stamford Bridge – with returning striker Kerr solely in a position to watch on from the sidelines. Their bid for a seventh straight title is formally up and working.

And to make issues worse for Metropolis, who will really feel as in the event that they deserved a greater final result, each Alex Greenwood and Lily Murphy have been misplaced to harm late on.

Chelsea debutant Ellie Carpenter, who assisted Beever-Jones for the sport’s opener, instructed Sky Sports activities: “Everybody needs to beat Chelsea. Coming into this as a brand new surroundings, you’ll be able to see that profitable mentality from day one.

“That’s what is so lovely, everyone gives their all. The small things in training, everyone wants to win everything and that is transferred into the game.”

Andree’s changes evident

Evaluation by Sky Sports activities’ Laura Hunter:

Manchester Metropolis misplaced this recreation, however Andree Jeglertz may nicely settle for the small wins as an necessary stepping stone. He needs Metropolis taking part in his model of soccer. They usually did.

In fact, that’s no comfort within the quick time period. Metropolis have misplaced three factors to the title favourites. However tactical tweaks have been evident and, as acknowledged, they brought on Chelsea issues all through.

His concepts have been significantly evident within the central connections between Lauren Hemp, Yui Hasegawa and Kerstin Casparij as Metropolis generated 17 efforts at aim, 5 on the right track, and three massive possibilities – all totals surpassing Chelsea’s respective columns.

The variations have been discernible. Metropolis conceded extra possession. Unparalleled. However created higher possibilities. They received extra duels than the house facet (51-44), and performed extra passes (167) within the opposition half. Shaw’s xG contribution (0.56) was the perfect of any participant on the pitch.

“Early signs are you can see an evolution in the way Man City want to play,” pundit Izzy Christiansen mirrored on Sky Sports activities’ stay protection.

Man Metropolis may not have preferred the result right here, however they are going to be harmful this season. And maintain particular title promise.

Efficiency pleases Bompastor

Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor:

“I feel pleased about the performance and the result. We’ve spoken about having a strong start and that’s what we did tonight.

“It is a good feeling to play a Friday evening recreation and have the ability to take the three factors. When you have got robust moments in video games you must be environment friendly.

“We scored two great goals, that’s important to be clinical, and that’s what makes the difference between these two teams.”

Jeglertz assured Metropolis can rival Chelsea

Man Metropolis head coach Andree Jeglertz:

“I’m disappointed. We deserved something, based on how we played second half. We should have a result with us, it didn’t happen.

“We’re difficult Chelsea throughout the entire recreation, and we will certainly try this all through the season.

“We saw the high press, it’s an important part for us. We did that many times, and also creating scoring chances. It’s not just about crosses. We can play through central combinations.

“I’ve mentioned it already, we’re right here to win. That is what our perception is. However should you zoom out, we’re altering just a few issues and I am bringing just a few new issues – within the first recreation we have proven we’ve come fairly far. The gamers imagine in what we’re doing.”