Tottenham Hotspur Women were beaten 6-2 by Chelsea in a one-sided Women's Super League London derby at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 18 October. The heavy defeat follows a difficult period for Spurs, who were also thrashed 6-1 by London City Lionesses on Sunday 4 October before the international break.
Matilda Vinberg and Signe Gaupset scored for Tottenham, but they were overwhelmed by a Chelsea side featuring two goals each from Lauren James and Ellie Carpenter. The result leaves Robert Vilahamn's side fourth in the WSL with 10 points from five games, having recorded three wins, one draw and one loss. They are now five points behind leaders Manchester City and have a goal difference of plus eight, having scored 16 and conceded eight this season.
How the match unfolded
Chelsea took the lead after 25 minutes through Lauren James. Tottenham responded well and equalised just before half-time. Julie Blakstad picked up possession outside the box and delivered a cross that Vinberg converted to make it 1-1.
The second half saw Chelsea pull away. Ellie Carpenter restored their lead in the 58th minute, and James added her second four minutes later. Sjoeke Nusken made it 4-1 in the 67th minute, effectively ending the contest.
Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop made a good save to deny James a hat-trick, but Maika Hamano scored a spectacular effort from distance in the 86th minute for Chelsea's fifth. Gaupset pulled one back for Tottenham a minute later, but Carpenter scored her second in stoppage time to complete the scoring.
A tough run of form
This loss means Tottenham have now lost their last two WSL matches, following the heavy defeat to London City Lionesses. Their recent form reads two wins, one draw and two losses from their last five outings, a sequence of results that began with a 0-0 draw against West Ham on Wednesday 23 September. The team has scored 16 goals this season but conceded eight in their last two games alone. Their top scorer this season is Victoria Pelova, who has five goals in five appearances.
Manager Robert Vilahamn made several changes to his starting lineup, with A. Nilden and Victoria Pelova both receiving yellow cards during the match. The team's next challenge is a huge north London derby at home to Arsenal on Saturday 24 October. Arsenal currently sit eighth in the table, making it a key fixture for Spurs to stop the slide.
More detail at chelseafc.com
