Title race hots up before Chelsea-Man City showdown

Published6 hours ago

Level on points at the top of the Women's Super League, there was little to separate Chelsea and Manchester City in the title race as they kicked off their respective matches at the same time on Saturday.

At that stage, Chelsea were edging the reigning champions thanks to a comfortably better goal difference, built up via a ruthlessness in attack and a solid defence.

However, by full-time, the tables had turned with Sonia Bompastor's side forced to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw against Everton, despite dominating at Stamford Bridge.

While Chelsea struggled to put their chances away, Khadija Shaw - a summer transfer target for the Blues - was running riot at Joie Stadium, and her hat-trick inspired Manchester City to an emphatic 5-0 victory against West Ham, trimming the goal difference gap in the process.

The win moves City two points clear of Chelsea at the top, one week before the sides meet in a potential title decider.

Yet Shaw, who has scored 12 goals in nine league appearances this season and is two away from equalling Vivianne Miedema's all-time WSL record of 97 goals, is not getting carried away.

"There's a lot of games to play, a lot of twists and turns," she told Sky Sports.

"One game at a time. We've got Champions League midweek and then we go again. We have to focus on the task ahead and not get too complacent."

Shaw hat-trick helps Man City back to top of table

Shaw hat-trick helps Man City back to top of table

Bronze scores own goal as Chelsea held by Everton

Bronze scores own goal as Chelsea held by Everton

Chelsea 'not at the races' as City 'click'

With Everton ranked eighth and West Ham placed 10th at the start of the day, both games - on paper - looked favourable for the league's top two sides.

At Stamford Bridge, the Toffees did not have a shot on target and had just three touches in their opponent's box, while Chelsea had 20 shots, an expected goals total of 2.14 and 55 touches in the Everton penalty area - to no avail.

At the other end, Lucy Bronze's unfortunate own goal ultimately cost them three points.

"We weren't quite on the same page today but I cannot fault anyone's effort," Chelsea captain Erin Cuthbert said.

"It's just one of those days where we're not at the races and we can't have too many of those if we want to be in a title race."

Bompastor's side resorted to hopeful crosses and shots from range, while they lacked creativity against a resilient Everton side.

The Blues were not helped by Lauren James' absence, the playmaker ruled out for at least five games after sustaining a hamstring injury in last weekend's 6-0 victory over Charlton.

In Manchester, City waited patiently for an opener against West Ham and once they got it - thanks to Shaw's composed finish - the floodgates opened.

Shaw and Lauren Hemp - despite both missing out on the 26-player Fifpro Women's World XI shortlist - are an unstoppable duo in City's attack, with City's first goal the fifth time they have combined in the WSL this season.

"It's hard to explain. We just click. It's a connection we've built over time," Hemp told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It's not always perfect, but with the standards we set for each other, naturally it's going to come."

Already a two-time Golden Boot winner, Shaw appears to be in the form of her life. Her 12 goals this season account for 44% of City's WSL strikes - but goals from Aoba Fujino and Iman Beney against West Ham suggest Jeglertz still has other options.

"Our depth is going to be crucial. We can put players on that can bring us to the next level," the City boss told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We are going to need all players. Five games in two weeks. Some players are starting, some are finishing, some are supporting from the side.

"We are all very important for success and this showed in this game."

City to 'battle the whole way' to defend WSL title

Chelsea will not have to wait long for a chance to overhaul City as victory against the champions next Saturday would put them back in top spot.

"We need to move on quickly," Bompastor said. "This group has a lot of experience with that and we will go into the next game really prepared.

"When we are doing well, it's good not to go too high - when it doesn't work, it's good not to get too low."

City have won their past two games against Chelsea - including last season's FA Cup semi-final - but the club know from past experience that it is far too early in the season to be complacent.

In the 2023-24 campaign, City were three points clear at the WSL summit with just two games left to play, but they ended up losing the title on goal difference to Chelsea on the final day of the season.

"At the moment, I don't care about it so much," Jeglertz said when asked about Chelsea dropping points.

"Of course I don't want them to win, but we also know that to win this league, we have to battle the whole way.

"If we win all our games, we'll be fine but if we struggle, then of course it doesn't matter what other teams do."

Chelsea v Manchester City

Women's Super League

13:30 GMT, Saturday, 14 November

BBC One

Related topics

Women's Football

Football

Women's Super League

Manchester City Women

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