Leicester City brought an end to Chelsea’s flawless start in the Women’s Super League (WSL) with a gritty 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. The reigning champions, who had been chasing their tenth consecutive WSL victory, were held to a stalemate by a determined Leicester side despite dominating large portions of the match.
Early Strike and Goalkeeping Heroics
Leicester, coming off four successive league defeats, showed no signs of intimidation against the league leaders. Their resilience paid off early as substitute Missy Goodwin, introduced in the 11th minute for the injured Deanne Rose, made an immediate impact. Just minutes after coming on, Goodwin unleashed a precise strike into the bottom-left corner to give Leicester a surprising lead.
The hosts relied heavily on goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, whose outstanding saves throughout the match frustrated Chelsea’s attacking efforts. Leitzig’s composure under pressure helped Leicester weather Chelsea’s relentless pursuit of an equalizer.
Chelsea’s Late Response
Chelsea eventually broke through in the 77th minute when Wieke Kaptein unleashed a spectacular long-range strike to level the match. Following the goal, the visitors camped in Leicester’s defensive third, desperately seeking a winner. However, Leicester’s resolute defending and Chelsea’s wasted opportunities, particularly by Sjoeke Nüsken, ensured the match ended in a draw.
Bompastor Reflects on the Draw
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor, who had enjoyed a perfect record since joining the club in the summer, expressed disappointment with her team’s performance.
“For sure, I’m frustrated with the performance today,” Bompastor said after the match. “If we talk about ambition, we have to back it up with actions. I need my players to be ready from the first whistle.
“In the first half, we lacked intensity and purpose, and we paid the price for it. The second half was better—we created more chances—but we only managed one goal. Our efficiency in front of goal wasn’t enough to win this game.”
Impact on the Table
The result lifts Leicester to 10th place in the standings with six points, providing a morale boost after a tough start to the season. Chelsea, despite the draw, remains at the top of the table with 28 points, maintaining a six-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
Leicester’s spirited performance and Chelsea’s missed opportunities underlined the unpredictability of the WSL, where even dominant teams can be challenged on any given day.
SOURCE: ESPN
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