Tottenham came into the encounter in good form, aside from a heavy defeat to London City Lionesses before the international break. And early on, they showed exactly why they had risen to fourth in the table as they played with determination from the get-go.
Yet it was Chelsea who took the lead thanks to a brilliant solo effort from Lauren James, as she used her skill to drive to the byline and fire a perfect shot over the line from what first looked to be an impossible angle. Away sides often let their heads drop when the Blues take the lead at home, but Spurs stuck to their plan, kept pushing forward and got their reward when Matilda Vinberg headed in from close range.
The second half was a different story. A fine finish from Ellie Carpenter put the Blues back in front before another outstanding solo effort from James gave us breathing room with an hour gone. Substitute Sjoeke Nusken smashed in emphatically following some excellent wing play from Alyssa Thompson, before Maika Hamano netted against her former club with a stunning strike from range.
Tottenham pulled back a consolation goal with three minutes of normal time remaining, before Carpenter completed her brace with composure in stoppage time. It was a positive day all around for the Blues, as the big win coincided with the first minutes this season for new club captain Erin Cuthbert as she came on after an hour. This Chelsea side seems to be looking more impressive every week.
Opening battle
Bompastor made four alterations to her line-up, exchanging Sandy Baltimore, Veerle Buurman, Hamano and Nusken for James, Katie McCabe, Lexi Potter and Thompson.
It was Spurs who started on the front foot in the opening minutes, and Hannah Hampton had to be alert and make a save when the space suddenly opened up for Signe Gaupset in a central position.
But then the Blues had a chance of our own as Carpenter drove to the byline and put a dangerous ball in across the byline. Striker Melvine Malard received the cross no more than a yard out, but with her back to goal just couldn't steer the ball across the line.
Spurs had come to Stamford Bridge ready to fight for every ball. After 15 minutes, there was not much between the sides and the possession counter read at 50 per cent each.
Moment of brilliance
With a determined Spurs making things difficult, it took a magnificent solo effort from James to unlock their defence. Stealing the ball from Toko Koga on the left flank, our No10 drove towards the dead-ball line.
Most players would've run out of space at the by-line, but not James. Instead, she unleashed a shot with sublime skill and pure power, beating the goalkeeper as the ball crossed the line in the opposite corner.
Yet Spurs were undeterred. Kadeisha Buchanan made a key intervention from a Vinberg cross, preventing the ball from reaching the onrushing Cathinka Tandberg as they continued to press forward towards goal.
Koga had recovered her composure from losing the ball to James as she made a key block on Carpenter up the other end.
The equaliser
Tottenham's persistence paid off shortly before half-time. Arriving late into the final third, Julie Blakstad picked up the ball just outside the penalty area, swinging a cross into the far post. Vinberg rose highest, nodding home from close range to put the visitors level.
Spurs came out brightly once again in the second half, but the best chance in the early stages of the second half fell to Chelsea. Lexi Potter's determination in midfield and pass to Malard created an opening for the striker, but her curling effort from the corner of the penalty area went over the bar.
Turning on the style
Just when the outcome of the contest looked uncertain, Thompson used her pace to breeze past her marker, skipping over a challenge on the edge of the box before squaring the ball to Carpenter.
The Australian made no mistake with her powerful finish high into the back of the net, putting the Blues back in front in style.
Bompastor then made a triple change. Among the substitutes was Cuthbert, making her first appearance for Chelsea this season, and our new captain received a rousing reception from the Blues supporters in the stands at Stamford Bridge.
Cuthbert had been on the pitch for less than a couple of minutes when James took matters into her own hands again. Breaking free of the backpedalling defenders, she burst into the box and used her low centre of gravity to lean backwards and curl another superb shot into the bottom corner.
Sealing the victory
After what had been a truly difficult contest, Chelsea then found yet another gear. Keira Walsh chipped a delicate pass to substitute Nusken, who had found space in the box, and the midfielder lashed in a powerful strike to put us 4-1 in front.
The Germany international then almost handed James her hat-trick, but grateful goalkeeper Lize Kop was able to dive on the ball and just about prevent her shot from crossing the line.
Spurs proved dangerous in attack once again when Hampton made an excellent save from a Kirsty Hanson shot, and showed the quickest reactions when she collected the follow-up.
Sealing the win in style
Facing her former club for the first time since last season's loan spell, Hamano said before the match that her dream is to one day win the prestigious Ballon d'Or trophy. Her 86th-minute strike was certainly worthy of a player of that calibre, netting with a magnificent swerving effort from almost 30 yards out.
Those inside the stadium were still recovering from Hamano's brilliant effort when Spurs grabbed a consolation through Gaupset, but there was still more to come from the Blues.
The emphatic London derby win was sealed when Walsh picked out Carpenter in the box, and the wing-back then completed her brace with a wonderful turn and finish. A brilliantly entertaining afternoon for the Chelsea faithful at the Bridge.
What it means...
We go top of the WSL table, pending Manchester City's result.
Up next...
We face newly-promoted Crystal Palace in Women's Super League action over at the Borough Sports Ground in Sutton.
The teams
Chelsea: Hampton, Carpenter, Bronze (c) (Bjorn 68), Buchanan, McCabe, Kaptein (Hamano 60), Walsh, Potter (Cuthbert 61), James (Beever-Jones 72), Thompson, Malard (Nusken 61)
Unused subs: Peng, Buurman, Dragoni, Baltimore
Scorers: James 25, 62, Carpenter 58, 90+1, Nusken 67, Hamano 86
Booked: Cuthbert 82