Chelsea Women 6-1 FC Twente Women
Chelsea Women 4-2 Brighton
Tottenham Hostspur Men 3-4 Chelsea Men
Chelsea Women romped to victory against the Dutch side FC Twente in what will be the Blues' last home game of 2024, in front of a shivering core of supporters at a bitterly cold Stamford Bridge.
Wednesday night's 6-1 triumph once again saw goals shared between players – a fact that delights coach Sonia Bompastor who continues her remarkable winning sequence knowing she isn't reliant on one striker.
After weathering a determined start from the visitors for roughly a minute and a half, Chelsea took the lead through Catarina Macario who, when her first effort rebounded off the keeper, juggled the ball on her thigh, then volleyed cleanly into the net after two minutes.
A soft penalty allowed Twente to briefly level on the half-hour mark, with Kayleigh Van Dooren beating Zecira Musovic from the spot, but normal service swiftly resumed.
Oriane Jean-Francois scored her first goal for the Blues with a rocket of a shot before Mayra Ramirez lofted the cheekiest 35-yard chip over stranded Twente keeper Olivia Clark for 3-1. But Chelsea weren't finished. Erin Cuthbert struck a fourth and, in the second half, sub Sjoeke Nusken (though seemingly offside) glanced home a fifth.
But Chelsea weren't finished. Erin Cuthbert struck a fourth and, in the second half, sub Sjoeke Nusken (though seemingly offside) glanced home a fifth.
With five minutes remaining, Eve Perisset popped up to volley a sixth through a forest of legs to leave the Blues top of their group with a perfect 15 points from five matches. The last Champions League outing of the year is on Tuesday, at Real Madrid. Avoid defeat, and the Blues will retain top spot.
Laboured victory over Brighton
Wednesday's comfortable victory was all the more remarkable as Chelsea had only ground out a win against Brighton at Kingsmeadow three days earlier, with post-international break fatigue blamed for a below-par showing by Bompastor.
But a win is a win, and the 4-2 victory now means the boss has surpassed legend Emma Hayes' record winning streak as the WSL table-toppers head up to Leicester this weekend for their final league game of 2024.
Against Brighton, Chelsea capitalised on chances while also relying on the outstretched limbs of in-form goalie Hannah Hampton.
Nüsken (two), Aggie Beever-Jones and Jo-Jo Rytting Kaneryd were on target, with ex-Chelsea midfielder Jelena Cankovic and Kiko Seike replying for the Seagulls.
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Cole Palmer shines again
Meanwhile Chelsea's men had an early scare at White Hart Lane, going 2-0 down to Spurs after 11 frantic minutes thanks to goals from ex-Blue Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski. Jadon Sancho was on target six minutes later to make it 2-1 at the break, in front of a boisterous 61,184-strong crowd.
But it was Tottenham fans who were the more nervous, and when Moises Caicedo was upended by Yves Bissouma, ice-cool Cole Palmer beat Fraser Forster from the spot on the hour.
Yet everyone sensed it wasn't going to end there. Palmer teed up Enzo Fernandez for 3-2, before another penalty success – a cheeky chip – from Palmer made it 4-2. He's now netted 12 out of 12 pens! Although Spurs got a late consolation, the Blues pocketed the points.
Tottenham are going to have to do something about the paper dart-throwers in the vast, steeply banked South Stand, who showered Palmer in aeroplanes every time he tried to take a corner. But will it be gaffer Ange Postecoglou heading off on the next plane? The natives are certainly getting restless.
Following Thursday's long trip to Kazakhstani side Astana in the Europa Conference, Chelsea's men have another London derby on Sunday, against Brentford at the Bridge.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
