. Whether this break in tradition hints towards a break in Chelsea's sustained dominance depends on one's capacity for positive thinking. A late wobble showed a vulnerability for complacency, while a laborious start from Chelsea left a crowd with little to cheer for. Nevertheless, a debut goal from Fishel promised to inject the home side with some semblance of a pulse. And so it was, with a more energetic start to th){kind=link}
The reigning champions began their Women’s Super League title defence with a home win over Tottenham thanks to goals from Mia Fishel and Lauren James on Sunday
Chelsea Women began their title defence with a first opening day win since 2019 as they defeated Tottenham Women 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.
A debut goal for new signing Mia Fishel opened the scoring shortly before the half-hour mark. The USWNT international, who was called into the starting XI in place of the recovering Sam Kerr, headed in a cross from Niamh Charles to sap some life into otherwise listless performance from the home side.
James doubled the host’s lead shortly after the interval, volleying in another cross from Charles after the ball had seemingly gone over the line for a Chelsea goal. Spurs, under the new management of Robert Vilahamn, looked dangerous on the counter through Drew Spence and Martha Thomas, and after Chelsea keeper ZeÄira Musovic mishandled a rudimentary save 10 minutes from time, the Scottish striker pounced happily to set up a nervy ending.
Here are the talking points…