It brought an end to Chelsea’s marathon run of seven matches in 22 days, which included two high-intensity battles against Arsenal in the Champions League, as well as difficult fixtures against London City, Aston Villa and Manchester United.
“I’m just a little bit sad for the players because this block was really intense,” Bompastor said. “We played seven games in different competitions, we had quick turnarounds and the players now go to national teams playing games next Tuesday. I think it’s tough for them, but I’m hoping that just a change of environment will be good for them.
“We have a really good relationship with the national team coaches and I think they will be smart to manage the players because I think all the England players especially, they are, like dead.”
Last week, Bompastor was angry, phone in hand, pointing out refereeing mistakes after her side were knocked out of the Champions League in a 3-2 aggregate defeat by Arsenal, but in a more straightforward affair Chelsea bounced back with a win.
Although the club have already won the League Cup, the FA Cup is a more prestigious trophy and, given Chelsea are nine points behind Manchester City in the league, it is probably their last chance of winning something else this season.
“Now we have two aims for this season, qualifying for the Champions League next season and winning the FA Cup,” Bompastor said. “Being able to last year win the FA Cup at Wembley was probably one of the best experiences I had in my whole career, as a player, as a manager, and I think that’s the same for the players so we just want to experience that again and do our best.”
Tottenham managed to improve on the sluggish start that proved their undoing in the north London derby the previous weekend. After two successive 5-2 defeats at Manchester City and Arsenal, Tottenham kept Chelsea at bay until the 40th minute.
Spurs might have had to wait until the 37th minute for their own first shot on target, but when it came, Signe Gaupset, left defenders in her wake before unleashing a powerful strike that Hannah Hampton had to parry and then gather.
Sam Kerr found the breakthrough in the 40th minute, after Keira Walsh’s cross from the touchline beat the goalkeeper and defenders, falling to the striker who headed the ball in off the left post.
In the 52nd minute, however, Tottenham equalised with Eveliina Summanen’s stunning goal direct from a free-kick. The perfectly weighted delivery floated over everyone, including Hampton, who misjudged the trajectory, and into the back of the net. It even seemed to take Summanen by surprise, but was enough for Spurs to level the tie.