Chelsea begin title defence with Spurs victory

2 years ago 61

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By Jess AndersonBBC Sport

Last updated on 8 minutes ago.From the section Women's Football

Mia Fishel scored on her debut as Chelsea began their title defence with an entertaining derby victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

American forward Fishel, who moved to London from Mexican club Tigres this summer, headed home on 28 minutes from Niamh Charles' inch-perfect cross into the box.

Lauren James poked in following a scramble in the area six minutes after half-time to double Chelsea's lead on the opening day of the Women's Super League season.

Replays showed the ball had crossed the line when Guro Reiten bundled in but, in the absence of goalline technology, the Blues had to come again and James was on hand to finish.

Tottenham pulled one back in the 76th minute when Martha Thomas pounced on a Zecira Musovic blunder but, despite piling the pressure on the home side, could not find the equaliser.

Chelsea were without star striker Sam Kerr, but England midfielder Fran Kirby came on as a substitute to make her first appearance since February, having missed the World Cup through injury.

Emma Hayes' side are going for an unprecedented fifth consecutive WSL title.

More to follow.

Reaction from Chelsea's win over Tottenham

Line-ups

Chelsea Women

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Musovic
18MjeldeSubstituted forCankovicat 84'minutes
4Bright
7Carter
21Charles
5Ingle
6NüskenSubstituted forLeupolzat 59'minutes
19Rytting KanerydSubstituted forKirbyat 58'minutes
10JamesSubstituted forLawrenceat 77'minutes
11ReitenSubstituted forFlemingat 77'minutes
2Fishel

Substitutes

3Nouwen
8Leupolz
12Lawrence
14Kirby
15Périsset
17Fleming
26Buchanan
28Cankovic
30Berger

Tottenham Women

Formation 4-3-3

22Spencer
15James
21Bühler
5Bartrip
29Neville
20AhtinenSubstituted forAleat 61'minutes
24SpenceBooked at 30minsSubstituted forNazat 61'minutes
25Summanen
14Bizet IldhusøySubstituted forAyaneat 72'minutes
17Thomas
8ClintonSubstituted forGrahamat 90+2'minutes

Substitutes

1Votíková
3Zadorsky
4Turner
7Naz
12Percival
13Ale
16Graham
23Ayane
26Pearse

Referee:James Bell

Attendance:14,776

Live Text

Match ends, Chelsea Women 2, Tottenham Hotspur Women 1.
Second Half ends, Chelsea Women 2, Tottenham Hotspur Women 1.
Foul by Jelena Cankovic (Chelsea Women).
Ashleigh Neville (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Kit Graham replaces Grace Clinton.
Attempt missed. Mia Fishel (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Offside, Chelsea Women. Jelena Cankovic tries a through ball, but Mia Fishel is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Melanie Leupolz (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Fran Kirby.
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Jelena Cankovic replaces Maren Mjelde.
Attempt saved. Angharad James (Tottenham Hotspur Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Eveliina Summanen.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Conceded by Jess Carter.
Attempt saved. Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt missed. Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ashleigh Neville.
Foul by Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea Women).
Ashleigh Neville (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Ashley Lawrence replaces Lauren James.
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Jessie Fleming replaces Guro Reiten.
Goal! Chelsea Women 2, Tottenham Hotspur Women 1. Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur Women) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner.
Attempt saved. Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur Women) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Angharad James.
Lauren James (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.