Chelsea return to top of the WSL with 1-0 victory over Tottenham - title chance now in their own hands

Chelsea returned to the top of the WSL table on Wednesday night with a narrow 1-0 victory over Tottenham. There’s not much in it at the top though, with Chelsea and Manchester City tied on points, and only separated on goal difference with one final round of games to come - two goals all that is it in going into Saturday.

But considering that the soon to be departing Emma Hayes had given up the title race as a done deal after that loss to Liverpool at the start of the month, it’s been a remarkable turnaround for Chelsea – albeit one helped by their title rivals losing to Arsenal ten days ago.

"I think relief, we came here for three points and we are walking away with three points so job done, one to go," Erin Cuthbert said afterwards.

"We knew we needed to win tonight, we’ve done that and we’ve set up a good match against Man United at Old Trafford. We can enjoy the moment, but rest, recover as we have a game again in two days."

On a warm and sunny night in London, Chelsea started brightly against Tottenham, having the better chances but being denied by some solid defending. But with just over half an hour gone, Maika Hamano snuck in at the back post to tap in a brilliant cross from Niamh Charles to put the blues ahead for her first goal for Chelsea.

Chelsea went into the break with that 1-0 lead, with Tottenham forced into a rejig by an injury to Amanda Nilden, the Swede stretchered off late into the first half with a shin injury.

They started very much the brighter in the second half too, but soon the nerves started to bite and Tottenham – playing with total freedom – began to make inroads into Chelsea’s half.

Martha Thomas and Matilda Vinberg both came on for Tottenham with 20 minutes to go as they went on the attack, keeping hold of the ball and starting to starve Chelsea of possession. The fans were getting nervous too, knowing how important this victory could be. A draw wouldn’t be enough – it would leave Chelsea depending on other results on the last day of the season.

Cuthbert gave the Chelsea fans something to hold on to with a scything run through the box, her tight shot deflected behind. The resulting corner didn’t lead to much, bar giving Chelsea’s defence a few moments of respite.

But it did disrupt Tottenham’s momentum, and so did the double substitution of Lauren James and Fran Kirby, coming on with 10 minutes to go for Aggie Beever-Jones and Guro Reiten. Kirby like Hayes is also on her swansong, and she had a chance soon after coming on – albeit a tough one which went wide.

It was Kirby who was looking lively as the clock went into the red, trying to get a cross away as Tottenham threw players back, leaving themselves short up the field when they did manage to clear.

But the final whistle eventually sounded to put the Chelsea fans out of their misery, turning nerves into jubilation as their team return to the top of the table, with Hayes punching the air on the touchline.

"We had a few chances but most importantly it was about keeping the back door shut in the second half.  We’ll leave everything on the pitch [on Saturday]," said Cuthbert.

 

It means Hayes goes into her final game in charge of her side with a chance to clinch a fifth successive title. Chelsea travel to Manchester United on Saturday, while title rivals Man City are away to Aston Villa. And more importantly, it means Chelsea’s destiny is in their own hands. Provided they win and win well on Saturday, the title is theirs.

"You have to work hard in every game in this league, you have to earn it. This league is getting more and more competitive, Tottenham put on a great effort especially in the second half. It’s been a long season, players have put in great shifts and it’s a slog this time of year so we need the whole bench," said Hayes afterwards.

"I think we have the tougher of the two games, we have to go to Old Trafford, a fitting finale for me – my final game. If someone gives you a second chance in life, make sure you don’t need a third one. We’ll give it everything no matter what. I’m absolutely knackered!"

As for Tottenham, they are already assured of sixth in the table, and are at home to West Ham as they seek to end their season on a high.

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