Chelsea’s 100 per cent record in the Barclays WSL this season has come to an end as they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
It took until December for Chelsea to drop points in the league last term, but they faced an impressive Man Utd, who are benefitting from the summer arrivals of Julia Zigiotti Olme, Jess Park and Frida Rolfo.
Marc Skinner’s side had yet to go behind in a WSL game this season, but that run was also ended as Wieke Kaptein turned home inside 10 minutes.
It was a fine team move that set her up too, including a sumptuous back heel from Catarina Macario as she held off Dominique Janssen at her back.
But Man Utd – who had drawn two early saves from Hannah Hampton – hit back soon after. It was a stunning strike from Anna Sandberg as a Maya Le Tissier cross was cleared into her path. She then hit a thunderous volley past Hampton for her first Man Utd goal.
While the first half was a rather even affair, the pendulum swung between the two sides throughout the second that somehow ended without any more goals.
Man Utd dominated early on as Rolfo pinged an effort off the top of the crossbar and substitute Melvine Malard also went close with a few efforts.
At the other end, Alyssa Thompson tested Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who also stopped a placed Keira Walsh effort late on. Aggie Beever-Jones – bringing an end to her own streak of scoring in each WSL game so far this season – could have won it in injury time too, but could not convert Thompson’s cross at the back post.
Despite their perfect record being over, Chelsea do remain two points clear of Man Utd at the top of the table, with both sides still unbeaten this season.
More to follow.