Sonia Bompastor said Chelsea will need to find different ways of playing against high-pressing opponents if they are to win a sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title.
The former Lyon boss marked her first game in charge of the Blues with an uncomfortable 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s brilliant solo goal late in the first half at Kingsmeadow was the difference between the sides but Villa, who also had a new manager in the dugout in the shape of Robert de Pauw, could count themselves unlucky to lose after a spirited display.
First win of the Bompastor era. ✅ pic.twitter.com/QHMiLMFNgK
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) September 20, 2024
The game almost concluded with a sensational headed equaliser in stoppage time from Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo, denied brilliantly by her counterpart Hannah Hampton.
Chelsea’s goalkeeper also made a smart save from Rachel Daly late on as Villa battled gamely for a point but the hosts clung on to hand Bompastor victory in the WSL curtain-raiser.
“We started well,” she said. “Sometimes we didn’t recognise during the game where we should have played.
“But you need to take into account the scenario of the game, especially the second half. Villa put us under a lot of pressure and you have to be able to find a more direct style of play behind their back line.
“If you keep playing short when the opposition is pressing you it’s sometimes difficult. Being smart and trying to find a different style is important when you want to win.”
Starting the season with a BIG win! 👊#CFCW pic.twitter.com/beYAW7MXYr
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) September 20, 2024
The winning goal came after 36 minutes and it was all Rytting Kaneryd’s own work.
The ball arrived at her feet in a central position with new signing from Barcelona Lucy Bronze striding up outside her. Feigning to pass, the Swede instead cut back inside onto her left foot, left defender Paula Tomas on the ground and sent an effort curling around the dive of D’Angelo and into the far corner for the first goal of Bompastor’s reign.
Millie Bright ought have doubled the lead but miscued her header from Erin Cuthbert’s deep cross, then Daly sent a header against the crossbar from Kenza Dali’s cross as Villa reminded Chelsea of their threat.
“I think we started good,” said Bompastor. “We were able to score the first goal. We had two or three very clear situations in the box, we should have scored more goals.
“In a high-level game when you are not able to score the second goal, you give confidence to the opposition. We should have scored more, been more efficient. It would changed the game for sure.
“We need to give credit to Aston Villa. They will make some trouble to other teams in the league. That’s why the league is so competitive because the other teams are getting better and better.”
Villa boss De Pauw reflected on a game he felt his side deserved to take a point from, and was left ruing D’Angelo’s near miss at the death.
“It’s what we will ask ourselves (how we didn’t score) for a long time,” he said. “If you can force the champions in this way, it says something about what we have this season.
“If (D’Angelo) had scored it I would have carried her off the pitch. If she’d made it, it would have gone around the world.”
Hull boss Tim Walter hailed the character of his side after seeing them come from a goal down to earn their first win of the season at Stoke.Ben Wilmot opened the scoring in the first half before goals from Kasey Palmer, Regan Slater and a Wilmot own goal sealed a 3-1 victory for the visitors.Walter said: “They showed real bravery and that’s why I’m really proud of them, that the...
Stuart Kettlewell hailed the composure of Lennon Miller after the 18-year-old kept his cool to send Motherwell into the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup.The Steelmen were pegged back after former fan favourite Louis Moult came off the bench to net an 83rd-minute equaliser for Dundee United.However, they were awarded the perfect chance to claim victory when referee John Beaton pointed to the s...
Hull came from behind to earn their first victory of the season with a 3-1 win over Stoke at the Bet365 Stadium.Ben Wilmot put the Potters in front in Narcis Pelach’s first game in charge before three goals in 17 minutes gave Tim Walter his first win as Hull boss.Kasey Palmer nodded in the equaliser on his first Tigers start, following up after his penalty had been saved by Viktor Johansson,...
Lennon Miller held his nerve to net an injury-time penalty and earn Motherwell a place in the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup with a 2-1 victory over Dundee United.It looked as if a sensational leveller from former Well striker Louis Moult was set to send the game to extra time, before the hosts were awarded a spot-kick in added time.Miller was tasked with netting from the spot and he made no...
Sonia Bompastor’s first game in charge of Chelsea ended in a nervy 1-0 win against Aston Villa on the opening night of the Women’s Super League season at Kingsmeadow.Tasked with the unenviable job of succeeding Emma Hayes, under whom the Blues five consecutive WSL titles, the former Lyon manager saw her new side edge to an unconvincing victory courtesy of Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’...
Mikel Arteta admitted David Raya’s astonishing double save against Atalanta was the best he has seen in his career.Raya ensured Arsenal avoided defeat in their Champions League opener by keeping out a penalty and the rebound from Italy striker Mateo Retegui.Early in the second half, after Thomas Partey was beaten for pace by Ederson and pulled the Brazilian back, referee Clementin Turpin awa...
An astonishing double save from David Raya ensured Arsenal avoided defeat in their Champions League opener at Atalanta.The Gunners keeper repelled a penalty from Italy striker Mateo Retegui and somehow got back across his goal to keep out the rebound as Mikel Arteta’s side escaped with a goalless draw.It was not exactly vintage Champions League fare in northern Italy, with Arsenal blunt in a...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Raya the monster Arteta without Odegaard Barcelona: perfect in La Liga after five gamesAlso Barcelona: lose their opening UCL game to Monaco Man City's new kit… lol Who the hell is Thomas Partey marking? lol Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, BleacherReportFootball, FootballLaughss)...
The Magpies are currently low in the striker department, with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson among the only first team stars available.Newcastle are monitoring Sindre Walle EgeliBoth players have struggled with various injury problems over the last few years, giving Eddie Howe some selection headaches.But club officials are now looking to recruit another forward to add to their ranks.The Daily M...
Christian Eriksen was a summer target for clubs in EuropeEriksen played a significant role in his debut season at Old Trafford, which was curtailed by injury. But he became more of a back-up in 2023/24 following the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo. Manuel Ugarte has now arrived as well, but the Dane scored twice in the recent Carabao Cup thrashing of Barnsley.He was linked with a move away, including t...
- 1 Philippe Clement says John Bennett reluctantly stepped down as Rangers chairman
- 2 Premier League star won a battle with his neighbours
- 3 Club chief reveals failed move for Man Utd midfielder
- 4 Liverpool give Marc Guehi transfer boost
- 5 Laura Woods wears dazzling engagement ring live on TNT Sports
- 6 Stunning party girl caught up in Newcastle ace Kieran Trippier’s marriage riddle
- 7 Gabriel header earns depleted Arsenal derby victory at Tottenham
- 8 Karl Robinson pleased to see Salford come back to beat Cheltenham
- 9 Mikel Arteta praises absentee-hit Arsenal after claiming ‘ugly’ win at Spurs
- 10 Steven Rudd bemoans ‘very frustrating’ Carlisle defeat by Fleetwood