Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Chelsea
Above: Mid-game battles heating up as the game comes to a close Photo: chelseafc.com
Chelsea claimed a 2–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in a Women’s Super League London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 8 February, taking a significant step in the race for UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification. The match brought together two sides separated by just one point before kick-off, with both pushing to strengthen their position near the top of the table.
Context and Stakes
Tottenham Hotspur hosted Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 8 February at 2:25pm in a Women’s Super League London derby that carried major significance in the race for UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification.
The two London rivals entered the fixture separated by just one point, with Chelsea third on 27 points and Tottenham Hotspur fifth on 26. With Arsenal and Manchester United also positioned close by, the match represented a key opportunity for both sides to strengthen their claims for a top-two finish, while Spurs were aiming to move into the top three.
Chelsea came into the contest under increased scrutiny following successive league defeats to Arsenal and Manchester City. Those losses marked the first time Chelsea had been beaten in back-to-back WSL matches since July 2015, and another defeat would have equalled a run not seen since the closing stages of the 2013 campaign. Despite a challenging season by their usual standards, the six-time reigning champions remained firmly in contention for Champions League qualification under manager Sonia Bompastor, who had recently extended her contract until 2030.
Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, had continued a strong upward trajectory after finishing 11th last season. Consistent performances had placed them within touching distance of the top three, and victory would have seen Spurs leapfrog Chelsea in the table and further underline their progress.
Chelsea’s historical dominance over the fixture provided an additional narrative. The visitors had won all 13 previous meetings between the sides, including narrow 1-0 victories in their two most recent encounters. With contrasting recent form and significant stakes at play, the London derby was set against a backdrop of both opportunity and pressure for the two clubs.
Team News and Shape
Tottenham Hotspur were expected to showcase the impact of an active January window that brought several new faces into the squad. Spurs strengthened their options with the permanent signings of Signe Gaupset, Hanna Wijk, Matilda Nildén and Julie Blakstad, alongside the loan arrival of Maika Hamano from Chelsea, adding depth and tactical flexibility across midfield and attacking areas.
Chelsea, by contrast, made no new signings during the January transfer window. Sonia Bompastor was therefore expected to rely on her existing squad, with internal adjustments to shape and personnel as Chelsea looked to regain control following recent defeats.
First Half Overview
The opening ten minutes were played at a high tempo, with both sides showing attacking intent while maintaining compact defensive shapes. The midfield battle was immediately physical and competitive, with Keira Walsh and Signe Gaupset influential from the outset. Tottenham Hotspur looked to play direct into attacking areas, testing Chelsea’s back line, while Chelsea showed their own threat through Naomi Girma, who carried the ball forward centrally when space allowed.
Chelsea created the first opening in the fifth minute with a dangerous delivery into the box, though the chance lacked the power required to trouble the goalkeeper, Lize Kopp. Spurs responded a minute later, counter-attacking through Beth England to force Hannah Hampton from her line and win the first corner of the match. In the eighth minute, a curling effort from distance was saved by Hampton, before Girma was penalised for a foul on Amanda Nildén in the ninth minute as Spurs continued to apply pressure.
Tottenham came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute when Spurs’ number 11 produced an athletic run and powerful strike that crashed against the crossbar. The chance originated from Gaupset winning a midfield duel against Millie Bright, underlining Spurs’ growing influence. Chelsea responded in the 14th minute through Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd, whose strong run and first touch were smothered by the Spurs defence, before Spurs countered again in the 15th minute, with England’s effort lacking power and comfortably gathered by Hampton.
Between the 15th and 25th minutes, Spurs enjoyed a sustained period of pressure, exploiting space in wide areas as Chelsea struggled to close passing lanes from midfield. In the 19th minute, Lauren James delivered a dangerous inswinging cross that failed to find a teammate. A minute later, Gaupset drove through midfield, evading challenges from Walsh and Erin Cuthbert, linking play before a recycled corner was headed just over the crossbar by Julie Blakstad.
Chelsea were nearly punished again in the 22nd minute when a loose pass at the back almost released Kaneryd. In the 25th minute, Hampton spilled a collection under pressure, with Girma required to clear the danger. Spurs continued to threaten, and in the 28th minute, Blakstad beat her defender at the byline before delivering for England, whose acrobatic effort flew over the crossbar.
Chelsea struggled to create clear chances during this spell and continued to lose possession in midfield. Spurs went close again in the 33rd minute when Blakstad’s shot from inside the box forced Girma into a sliding block before Ellie Carpenter cleared. James was fouled while driving at the defence in both the 35th and 37th minutes, briefly relieving pressure on the visitors.
Despite Spurs’ dominance in chances, Chelsea took the lead in the 39th minute. From a corner partially cleared to the edge of the area, Walsh struck a powerful effort on target to open the scoring. The goal shifted momentum, with Chelsea managing the remainder of the half more effectively.
James sent an effort from range over the crossbar in the 44th minute, before Eveliina Summanen was penalised for a foul on Sjoeke Nüsken in stoppage time. The half concluded with Spurs threatening once more, as Alyssa Thompson saw a curling effort from wide drift narrowly past the post, bringing an entertaining and physical first half to a close.
Second Half Overview
Chelsea made a half-time change, with Walsh replaced by Lexi Potter, likely as an injury precaution. The adjustment coincided with a clear shift in Chelsea’s approach, as they emerged for the second half playing with greater urgency and directness. Within the opening ten minutes, the change proved effective, with Chelsea shooting more frequently and moving the ball forward at pace.
The visitors controlled the early stages of the half, with James particularly influential. James used her strength and close control to carry the ball through midfield and into attacking areas, consistently beating defenders and creating shooting opportunities. Chelsea’s increased use of space and quicker transitions contrasted sharply with the first half, and their dominance was reflected in sustained pressure.
Chelsea doubled their lead in the 49th minute. A long, accurate pass from Kaneryd released Nüsken, whose powerful effort was emphatically saved by Kopp, only forThompson to show composure and time her finish well from the rebound. The goal visibly altered the momentum, with Tottenham Hotspur appearing deflated as Chelsea took control.
Set pieces became an increasingly prominent feature of the contest. Spurs delivered a free kick into the box in the 57th minute, with appeals for handball against Potter waved away, before Chelsea were denied a similar appeal from a free kick in the 59th minute. Chelsea continued to apply pressure, winning a corner in the 61st minute after Kaneryd used her physicality to drive into the area.
Chelsea went close again in the 68th minute when Girma nearly converted from a scrappy corner, as Spurs’ defensive organisation began to falter. Despite Tottenham introducing substitutes who added individual energy, Chelsea maintained control through sustained possession and disciplined game management.
Potter impressed after coming on, consistently offering passing options and cutting out opposition passes, providing stability in midfield. Tottenham’s substitutes showed moments of impact, with Cathinka Tandberg adding physical presence and pressing intensity, Matilda Nildén driving directly at defenders, and Araya Dennis strong in one-on-one defensive situations.
In the closing stages, Chelsea dominated possession as Spurs struggled to regain momentum. A brief opening arrived in the 73rd minute when Lenna Gunning-Williams broke quickly down the flank and crossed for Tandberg, whose header drifted just wide. Further pressure followed in the 81st minute when Amalie Holdt was played through on goal, only to be caught by Hampton.
A heavy challenge from Tandberg on Bright left the Chelsea defender requiring treatment before being replaced by Chloe Sarvie. Spurs continued to search for a route back into the game, with Gunning-Williams testing Hampton again in the 88th minute, but Chelsea remained composed.
Five minutes of added time followed, beginning with a Chelsea corner. A superb threaded pass nearly released Guro Reiten and Sandy Baltimore, with Baltimore narrowly prevented from breaking through on goal. In the final moments, Kaneryd was played one-on-one with the goalkeeper after a flick-on from Sam Kerr, but took too many touches and the opportunity was lost, as Chelsea closed out a controlled and authoritative second-half performance.
Standout Performances
Ellie Carpenter delivered a high-quality performance on the right, combining pace, timing and awareness to support Chelsea at both ends of the pitch. Her overlapping runs with Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd consistently created space, while her recovery speed ensured defensive stability.
For Tottenham Hotspur, Olivia Holdt showed composure and intelligent movement in attacking areas, while Signe Gaupset impressed with her ball-winning ability and drive from midfield. Lauren James stood out for Chelsea with her individual brilliance, using strength, close control and direct dribbling to repeatedly unsettle the Spurs defence.
Why Chelsea Took the Points
Chelsea were more efficient in decisive moments. They withstood sustained first-half pressure before taking the lead from a set piece, then increased their intensity and directness after the break. Improved game management, defensive organisation and clinical finishing ultimately separated the sides.
Outcome, Decisive Moments, and Implications
Chelsea claimed a 2–0 win that revived their push for Champions League qualification. Goals from Keira Walsh and Alyssa Thompson proved decisive, ending a difficult run of form and maintaining their perfect record against Spurs. Tottenham Hotspur missed the chance to break into the top three but showed enough in the first half to underline their continued progress under their new manager.
Teams: CHELSEA (3-5-2): Hampton, Carpenter, Bright (c), Girma, Buurman, Nusken, Walsh, Cuthbert, James, Thompson, Kaneryd. Substitutes: Potter (for Walsh 45’), Baltimore (for James 63’), Reiten (for Nusken 79’), Kerr (for Thompson 79’), Sarwie (for Bright 83’
Scorer: Walsh 39’, Thompson 49’
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1 ): Kop, A.Nildén, Gaupset, England (c), Holdt, Vinberg, Hunt, Wijk, Summanen, Koga, Blakstad. Substitutes: Ahitnen (for Blakstad 65’), Gunning-Williams (for Vinberg 65’), Tandberg (for England 65’), M. Nildén (for Gaupset 71’), Dennis (for Wijk 78’)
Referee: Phoebe Cross
Assistant Referee 1: Nicoleta Bria
Assistant Referee 2: Magdalena Golba
Fourth Official: Joanne Harwood