Chelsea women's player ratings vs Tottenham: Keira Walsh to the rescue! England star's brilliant strike pierces resolute Spurs as Alyssa Thompson impresses again
Keira Walsh's stunning strike gave Chelsea a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday as the defending Women's Super League champions maintained their position at the top of the table. The Blues huffed and puffed a lot in this game, producing a lot of nice build-up play without the incisive final ball. And so, up stepped Walsh just past the hour mark to rifle an effort from range into the bottom corner of Lize Kop's goal and secure all three points in some style.
No fixture in WSL history has a more dominant head-to-head than this one, with Chelsea having won all 11 meetings between the two sides ahead of this game. That disparity was evident in the way the afternoon unfolded, too, with Spurs constantly pinned back in their own defensive third as the Blues peppered the box with crosses and attempted passes. However, despite a record number of corners and touches in the opposition's box for the first half in a WSL game, Sonia Bompastor's side failed to really trouble Kop in the away goal. It wasn't until the second half, when Alyssa Thompson curled an effort on target, that the Tottenham goalkeeper was really forced into action.
It wasn't long after that, though, that she was beaten. Chelsea cranked up the pressure after the break and showcased better decision-making in key areas, carving out a chance for Thompson from close range which was well-blocked. But it was actually from range that the opening goal would be scored, as Walsh lined up a shot from 25 yards and rifled it into the bottom corner brilliantly.
Once the net rippled, the result felt secure, with Spurs having defended excellently but done little to trouble Hannah Hampton. There would be one a heart-in-mouth moment for the home fans, when Hampton uncharacteristically lost possession in a dangerous area, but it was a situation from which Chelsea escaped unscathed as they saw the victory out in an otherwise comfortable fashion, making it five wins from their first six WSL games and extending their unbeaten run in the competition to 31 matches, the second longest streak in competition history.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Kingsmeadow…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (6/10):
Didn't have much to do. Was good in possession, bar a sloppy error midway through the second half that, fortunately for her, went unpunished.
Ellie Carpenter (7/10):
Another fantastic display in defence and attack. Linked up well with Rytting Kaneryd to cause Spurs plenty of problems down their left.
Millie Bright (6/10):
Dominant in her duels and good in her positioning to prevent Spurs from having any joy on the counter.
Nathalie Bjorn (6/10):
Battled well when called into action, though that wasn't too often.
Niamh Charles (6/10):
Got just under an hour under her belt on her return from injury. Was solid in possession and won plenty of her duels.
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Keira Walsh (7/10):
Tidy on the ball at the base of midfield and won the game with her terrific strike.
Erin Cuthbert (8/10):
Never stopped in a typical all-action performance. Won so many duels and was excellent in possession.
Wieke Kaptein (5/10):
Had a fantastic chance to break the deadlock in first half stoppage time but didn't connect with the cross well enough.
Attack
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (7/10):
Caused plenty of problems with her direct running and ability to get in behind. Became more accurate with her final ball as the game went on.
Aggie Beever-Jones (6/10):
Worked hard off the ball and produced some nice touches in and around the box. Didn't get much service, however.
Alyssa Thompson (7/10):
Alongside Rytting Kaneryd, was one of Chelsea's liveliest players for most of the game, forcing Kop into her first meaningful save in the game. Final ball could've been better, though it did improve.
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Subs & Manager
Catarina Macario (5/10):
Couldn't impact the game too much on this occasion, though it wasn't for a lack of trying.
Veerle Buurman (6/10):
Slotted in nicely on the left. Wasn't racing up and down the wing but did help recycle possession and keep the pressure on Spurs with her quality in possession.
Guro Reiten (N/A):
Ensured Chelsea's threat out wide remained until the end, picking up the baton nicely from Thompson.
Sam Kerr (N/A):
Another late sub whose presence and quality on the ball kept Spurs pinned back.
Lucy Bronze (N/A):
Made her first appearance of the season in the closing minutes, after overcoming injury.
Sonia Bompastor (6/10):
Will want to see more cutting edge from her team in the final third, especially after similar issues plagued them in a 1-1 draw with Twente in midweek, but will have been pleased with how that improved in the second half as well as other aspects of this win, not least the fact she was able to get Bronze and Charles back from injury. Didn't panic at 0-0 and trusted her side to get the job done, which they did.