Spurs Women push Chelsea all the way again, but it's not to be at Kingsmeadow

Spurs Women pushed Chelsea to the limit again but, once again, without reward as the Women's Super League champions elect came out on top on Thursday evening.

Beaten 3-1 by the Blues on Sunday, where we led 1-0 and had the better of the first half before succumbing to defeat in the last 20 minutes, this was a different story as WSL leaders Chelsea came out flying at Kingsmeadow.

Bethany England headed the home side into the lead on 19 minutes and they'd racked up 15 efforts at goal without reply when they were stunned by Kerys Harrop's equaliser in the 45th minute. Unfortunately, Chelsea responded straight away as Sam Kerr headed home Pernille Harder's cross just 18 seconds after the restart.

That proved enough in the end but we put Chelsea under pressure at the start of the second half, turning possession statistics of 80-20 against us at one point in the first half to 59-41 in our favour, Rosella Ayane coming closest to an equaliser, her curling effort tipped over by Zecira Musovic.

It was another display to be proud of against a WSL powerhouse - Chelsea have now lost just five of their last 95 WSL matches as they chase a third-successive title. Meanwhile, we remain fifth and on target for our best-ever finish in women's football.

Rehanne Skinner made three changes to the team that did so well for long periods at The Hive on Sunday as Asmita Ale, Maeva Clemaron and Rosella Ayane came in for Ashleigh Neville, Eveliina Summanen and Jess Naz.

We came out on the front foot on Sunday, but the boot was on the other foot this time around. Chelsea had their first effort at goal on 20 seconds, Sam Kerr heading straight at Tinja-Riikka Korpela, and were relentless for the first 45 minutes.

Efforts came in from all angles, but we stayed compact and defended for our lives. Magdelena Eriksson, Guro Reiten, Erin Cuthbert and Pernille Harder all tried their luck, Cuthbert's point-blank chance blocked by Shelina Zadorsky, before the home side took the lead on 19 minutes. Reiten played a corner short to Jonna Andersson and her cross was headed home by Bethany England.

Korpela twice denied Reiten and further chances fell to Harder, Kerr and Millie Bright before we stunned the hosts with our first effort on goal. Kyah Simon delivered a free-kick from the left and Kerys Harrop timed her run to perfection to glance a header across Zecira Musovic and into the far corner.

That was on 45 minutes - but Chelsea were back in front just 18 seconds after the restart. Harder got away down the right and her cross was headed home by Kerr. We barely had time to kick-off again before the half-time whistle blew.

How different it might have been had we held on at 1-1, as we impressed particularly for the first 35 minutes of the second half. Musovic did well to back track and touch over Rosella Ayane's curler as we pushed Chelsea back. Simon cleverly played in Asmita Ale to the right byline, but her cross was cut out with Ayane and Rachel Williams ready to pounce.

Possession statistics showed 59-41 in our favour on 79 minutes, but Chelsea began to press us further up the pitch and we struggled to gain that territory again. Instead, the Blues created the final chances of note from that high press as Erin Cuthbert struck the foot of the post and England's 25-yarder was taken safely by Korpela. As always, the team went right to the last whistle, but we couldn't carve out that final chance for an equaliser.

Match data

Goals: Chelsea - England 19, Kerr 45+1; Spurs - Harrop 45.

Yellow cards: Spurs - Ayane 87, Bartrip 88.

Referee: Jack Packman.

Venue: Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames.

Attendance: 3,660.

Weather: Clear, still night, 11 degrees at kick-off.