Chelsea Ladies’s profitable run of 13 video games is over after they got here from behind to attract 1-1 with Leicester Ladies of their ultimate WSL sport of 2024.
The Blues had swept each staff apart in all competitions beneath Sonia Bompastor to date – together with wins towards Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis – nevertheless it was the relegation-threatened Foxes who proved to be their greatest take a look at to date.
Up till the seventy fifth minute, the Blues had mustered only one shot heading in the right direction. It got here within the first half as Guro Reiten pinged a shot from vary off the crossbar, with the guests usually restricted to photographs from exterior the field by a formidable Leicester defence.
Compared, the Foxes scored with their solely shot heading in the right direction as Missy Goodwin (20) gave the hosts the lead towards the run of play. The ahead was unmarked on the best as she turned dwelling Asmita Ale’s cross, having come on as an alternative choice to Deanne Rose within the eleventh minute.
As the sport ticked into the ultimate quarter, Chelsea started to indicate indicators of their normal selves, as they desperately sought to take care of their good report.
They managed to attain half of the duty as Wieke Kaptein (77) thundered dwelling from the highest of the field, roaring in celebration – and a touch of frustration – afterwards.
Wieke Kaptein celebrates after equalising for Chelsea at Leicester
The 19-year-old, together with Sjoeke Nusken and Lucy Bronze, went shut in some frenetic closing moments, however the guests have been on their knees on the ultimate whistle having been unable to seek out one other well beyond a decided Leicester aspect.
Chelsea will stay prime of the WSL desk heading into the winter break, however might see their lead lower to a few factors on Sunday. Leicester, in the meantime, add what might be a vital level as they go above Everton on aim distinction into tenth place with six factors.
Evaluation: What occurred to Chelsea?
Sky Sports activities’ Charlotte Marsh:
Up till Saturday, Chelsea appeared unstoppable: 13 wins, quite a few targets, prime of the desk in each the WSL and Champions League.
However the journey to the King Energy provided a reminder that, regardless of the outcomes, the WSL stays fiercely fought and no staff are infallible.
Chelsea lacked concepts in assault for a lot of the sport. Sure, there was loads of possession and photographs – a whopping 28 – however a lot of these didn’t come till afterward. Additionally they didn’t make any actual use of their 20 corners and have been largely ineffective from set-pieces.
5 of their six photographs heading in the right direction got here within the ultimate quarter-hour, they usually merely appeared unable to interrupt down a mightily spectacular Leicester defence.
They annoyed Chelsea at each flip – blocking and clearing photographs with confidence, coming by means of to take the ball and successfully double-marking the hazard gamers.
Half-time substitute Catarina Macario started nicely, however quickly discovered herself focused. Mayra Ramirez and Maika Hamao – who was taken off on the break – have been unable to have an affect.
Every of the again 4 topped a statistical defensive class for any participant on the pitch – Sophie Howard for clearances (13) whereas Ale had an help in addition to probably the most tackles (9). Julie Thibaud received probably the most tackles (4) and Sari Kees made the joint-most interceptions (4).
Chelsea made a rod for their very own backs, too, with their defending for Goodwin’s aim. The Leicester ahead shouldn’t have been open to choose her spot with the Blues pooled over in direction of the right-hand aspect.
In the end, a staff like Chelsea ought to be skilled and good sufficient to seek out the options, nevertheless it didn’t fairly work out that means on this event.
There may be maybe an argument that some fatigue is setting in heading into the winter break, with the continued accidents for the likes of Lauren James and Sam Kerr.
Each are catalysts for Chelsea’s attacking play and supply potent shops, and regardless of seven adjustments from the midweek sport towards Twente, there appeared to be a lethargy total.
With one sport to go towards Actual Madrid on Tuesday, Bompastor might be hoping to proper some wrongs and finish on a excessive. Chelsea do nonetheless stay unbeaten, however the outcome raised questions.
