Spurs edged by Chelsea in WSL defeat - on-the-whistle-report

We were beaten 3-2 at home to Chelsea in the Women's Super League on Sunday afternoon.

Jess Carter gave Chelsea the lead early on, but we responded through a Bethany England equaliser moments later. Lauren James put Chelsea back in front with a solo effort in the 27th minute, and Guro Reiten added a third in the second half. Nikola Karczewska pulled one back for us in the 88th minute.

Rehanne Skinner made two changes to the side that began our last game against London City Lionesses, Eveliina Summanen and Amy Turner coming in to replace Angharad James and Rosella Ayane.

Chelsea had a chance to score early on, Erin Cuthbert putting the ball into a dangerous area for Reiten, but Turner was on hand to slide across and concede a corner.

From the resulting set-piece, Cuthbert's delivery was headed in by Carter for 1-0.

Sam Kerr volleyed wide of the post after taking the ball down well in the 15th minute as Chelsea looked to double their lead.

We then equalised with a simple finish at the other end. Ashleigh Neville poked the ball round to the edge of the 18-yard box, where Drew Spence collected possession. She put a good ball into the box for England to tap-in to an empty net to equalise.

Mana Iwabuchi put a lovely ball into the box for Neville, but it came back out to our number 20 and her shot was blocked.

In the 27th minute, James drifted inside from the right wing and picked out the bottom right corner with her left foot to put Chelsea ahead again.

Chances faded away for both sides in the final third of the first half and the visitors went into the break with a 2-1 lead.

Spence had the first chance of the second half with a powerful shot from distance flying over the crossbar, before Chelsea increased their lead.

Reiten got the wrong side of Celin Bizet and burst through on goal before placing it past Korpela for 3-1.

At the other end, Bizet pulled the ball back for Summanen, but she fired high over the bar.

Summanen carried the ball forward well in the 71st minute before playing it through to Neville and her shot ricocheted wide for a corner, but nothing came of it.

With 13 minutes to go, we replaced Turner with Karczewska, an attacking subtitution.

We then made a double substitution, Iwabuchi and Bizet making way for James and Ayane.

Karcewska pulled one back in the 88th minute, tucking the ball into the bottom right corner for 3-2, and Korpela made a great save at the other end to keep us in it, before Kirby volleyed wide.

Match data

Goals: Spurs Women - England 16, Karczewska 88, Chelsea Women - Carter 8, James 27, Reiten 64.

Yellow cards: Chelsea Women - Buchanan 28, Cuthbert 45+1.

Referee: Abigail Byrne.

Venue: Brisbane Road, Leyton.

Weather: Sunny with cloudy intervals, eight degrees.

Attendance: 1880.