Chelsea rediscover resilience with three straight WSL wins
After losing their six-year grip on the WSL title, Chelsea have won three consecutive matches, capped by a dominant defensive display against Arsenal. Manager Sonia Bompastor says her side has grown mentally stronger since last season.
Chelsea, who won an unbeaten domestic treble under Sonia Bompastor in her debut season, saw their six-year hold on the Women's Super League title end this year, with Manchester City taking over top spot and Arsenal tipped as the main challenger after a strong summer of signings.
The season started sluggishly for Chelsea, who drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge despite dominating possession, undone by a lack of clinical finishing and a defensive error. Since then, though, the Blues have won three matches in a row, most recently delivering a commanding performance against Arsenal, who sit seventh, seven points behind City.
Defensive solidity
Bompastor said her players were prepared to "mentally fight" and adjust to Arsenal's pressure in ways they struggled with last season. The win extended Chelsea's clean sheet run to three matches, or 315 minutes without conceding.
The only goal came from Alyssa Thompson, converting after a Keira Walsh shot was parried by the goalkeeper. Thompson called the win "amazing for team morale."
New partnerships, key signings
Bompastor said Chelsea are "a different team from last season." Walsh's developing partnership with 20-year-old Lexi Potter has freed her to push further forward with more freedom, with her manager praising her as "a boss on the pitch" at her best.
Summer signing Melvine Malard, who joined from Manchester United, missed the opening two games through a minor injury but scored on her debut against Birmingham City and troubled Arsenal's defence. Team-mate Walsh praised her work off the ball and pressing ability, calling her "incredible."
Chelsea's press has pushed higher up the pitch, full-back Ellie Carpenter continues to threaten with overlapping runs, and summer arrival Katie McCabe, who switched from Arsenal, has brought leadership and combativeness the team lacked at times last season.
Arsenal, by contrast, have managed just one win and two goals in their opening four WSL matches and face league leaders Manchester City this weekend.
