Opposition watch | Chelsea vs Spurs (WSL)
Fri 29 September 2023, 11:30|
Tottenham Hotspur
What a start to our 2023/24 Barclays Women's Super League campaign as we kick-off against four-time champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (5.30pm). Here's a rundown of Emma Hayes' all-conquering Blues...
Form
Chelsea's record in the WSL is nothing short of remarkable. Champions for four-successive seasons since our first season in the WSL in 2019/20, Chelsea have lost just five matches in their 81 across those four campaigns (the 2019/20 season was cut to 15 due to COVID). They have a goal difference of +197 in that time. Bringing their form up to date, they won their final eight matches to clinch the WSL title last term - winning the Women's FA Cup against United in the middle of that run - and haven't lost domestically since a 2-0 reverse against Manchester City in March.
Players to watch
Packed full of superstars - including four players part of the England squad that reached the World Cup Final in Millie Bright, the Blues skipper, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles and Lauren James - Chelsea have added two USA forwards to their squad in Mia Fishel (from Tigres in the Liga MX Femenil, Mexico) and Catarina Macario (Lyon), plus Canadian defender Ashley Lawrence (PSG) and German midfielder Sjoeke Nusken (Eintracht Frankfurt). Add those to the likes of Sam Kerr, one of the best women's footballers of all-time, Scottish star Erin Cuthbert, Norway's Guro Reiten and England legend Fran Kirby, who missed the World Cup due to injury, and you can see why Chelsea are such a force.
Manager - Emma Hayes
A legend of the women's game, Emma Hayes took over at Chelsea in 2012, at that time, the only female manager in the top flight of women's football in this country. Since then, she's won the lot, multiple times, racking up 14 major trophies, including six WSL titles - currently guiding the Blues to four on the trot - and five FA Cups. Voted Best FIFA Coach in 2021, Hayes has been awarded the MBE (2016) and the OBE (2022).
Last time we met
On a tough run of five losses on the trot in the WSL in February, we gave a good account of ourselves against the eventual champions at Brisbane Road, eventually going down 3-2. 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, Guro Reiten added a third in the second half. Nikola Karczewska pulled one back for us in the 88th minute but we couldn't find an equaliser.
How to follow
Sunday's huge WSL opener at Stamford Bridge has been selected for live television coverage by Sky Sports, while BBC Radio Five Live's Sports Extra channel will provide radio commentary. You can follow the game on our women's social channels - Instagram and X - and minute-by-minute text coverage via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com. Match highlights and reaction will also be available via SPURSPLAY and this website.
