The games are coming thick and fast for Chelsea Women, with Brighton and Arsenal visiting in the next four days.
Based on last weekend's storming performance against Spurs Women, the Blues' dazzling form offers real hope of cementing the place at the top of the Women's Super League.
Yet Chelsea began Sunday's game at Kingsmeadow completely on the back foot and having to weather chance after chance from a Tottenham side who flew out of the blocks.
For 20 minutes they were all at sea as keeper Ann-Katrin Berger made key saves from Shelina Zadorsky and Kit Graham, while Ria Percival – wearing a white protective facemask like the Lone Ranger – struck the post.
Grilled about why her side had been uncharacteristically pinned in their own half for 20 unnerving minutes, manager Emma Hayes blamed sloppiness. "We played into their hands, but credit to the opponents," she said. "There's an expectation on this team to win all the time and perform amazingly, but we're human and sometimes we're not at our best."
She said that sometimes a team needs reminding about life's realities, and that success has to be earned.
Chelsea suddenly found their rhythm and purpose, firing home two quickfire goals and eventually running out comfortable 4-0 winners – but it required the astute touchline guidance of Hayes to wake her players up.
Mel Leupolz, who scored two goals including one from the spot, shone for the Blues. Maybe the German pro, approaching her 27th birthday, was inspired by the arrival of Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge – a manager widely admired for his tactical nous.
He seems to have got neglected and marginalised players fizzing again, suggesting interesting times ahead at Stamford Bridge.
Hayes, too, is proving adept at developing younger players, promoting Jorja Fox and Aggie Beever-Jones to the first team squad, and encouraging Jessie Fleming to build confidence in a forward role.
Wednesday night's clash with Arsenal Women at Kingsmeadow could prove crucial in the race for the title.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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