LONDON: Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 6-2 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to top the Women’s Super League (WSL). Lauren James and Ellie Carpenter each scored twice.
After a level first half, Chelsea struck three times in nine minutes through Carpenter, James and substitute Sjoeke Nüsken.
That burst turned a close contest into a comfortable home victory. Chelsea recorded their fifth consecutive league win, while Tottenham remained fourth after a second straight defeat.
James opened the scoring in the 25th minute after winning possession from Toko Koga outside the penalty area. She drove towards goal before finishing past Lize Kop from a tight angle.
However, Matilda Vinberg brought Spurs level before the break, heading Julie Blakstad’s cross into the far post.
Tottenham threatened again after the break, but Alyssa Thompson’s run and low cross set up Carpenter’s opener in the 58th minute. James then curled home from Lucy Bronze’s pass before Nüsken struck powerfully in the 67th minute, shortly after coming on.
Later, fellow substitute Maika Hamano scored from 30 yards. Signe Gaupset replied for Spurs before Carpenter completed the scoring in stoppage time.
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A crowd of 7,814 spectators watched Sonia Bompastor’s 50th league match as Chelsea manager. She has collected 125 points, a competition record for a manager’s first 50 games.
Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Martin Ho acknowledged his side’s defensive lapses despite their competitive opening hour. “We can’t completely collapse in those moments,” Ho said.
