Chelsea show cutting edge with vital victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Chelsea returned to winning ways in the Women’s Super League with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in front of a crowd of 9,356 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, maintaining their push for a top-three finish during a turbulent period for the club.  

Under pressure following consecutive league defeats and a week of intense external scrutiny, Chelsea Women delivered a composed and clinical performance when it mattered most, punishing missed opportunities from Tottenham Hotspur Women, who had entered the match just one point away from the reigning champions.

Match Report

Tottenham, managed by Martin Ho, started brightly and were the dominant side throughout much of the first half. They pressed aggressively, moved the ball with confidence, and created a series of promising openings. Olivia Holdt came closest to breaking the deadlock when her fierce effort struck the crossbar, emblematic of Spurs’ early control.

January additions Signe Gaupset and Julie Blakstad both impressed, with Blakstad causing problems down the left flank. After 30 minutes, Tottenham had registered 11 shots to Chelsea’s three, yet found themselves unable to convert pressure into goals.

Against the flow of play, Chelsea struck decisively. In the 39th minute, England midfielder Keira Walsh gave the visitors the lead with a calm finish, silencing the home crowd and delivering a significant psychological blow to Spurs just before he interval.

Any hope of a Tottenham response was quickly extinguished after the restart. A momentary lapse in concentration from Hanna Wijk allowed Sjoeke Nüsken to slip in behind the defence, and when the initial effort rebounded, Alyssa Thompson reacted quickest to double Chelsea’s advantage in the 49th minute.

From there, Chelsea managed the game effectively, defending compactly and limiting Tottenham’s opportunities while making a series of substitutions to see out the result. Spurs continued to compete and push forward, but lacked the cutting edge required to overturn the deficit.  

Tottenham analysis: promise without reward  

Despite the defeat, Tottenham’s performance underlined the remarkable progress they have made this season. Having finished second from the bottom last year and dismissed former manager Robert Vilahamn, Ho has overseen a dramatic turnaround, turning Spurs into genuine contenders for European qualification.

Their energy, creativity and attacking intent were evident, particularly in the first half, when they were clearly the superior side. However, the inability to convert dominance into goals proved costly, a familiar issue against elite opposition.

Ho reflected on the disappointment after the match, noting the shift in mentality within the squad:  

“People are disappointed and upset. That shows a completely different mindset to what we had before. The players expect to win, even against the best teams. We created a lot of chances in the first half-you just one or two of those moments”.  

The result dents Tottenham’s hopes of a top-four finish, but their performance offered plenty of encouragement as they continue to exceed expectations this campaign.

Chelsea analysis: result secured, questions remain

For Chelsea and head coach Sonia Bompastor, the victory was vital. The club had faced mounting criticism following defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal, with their title defence faltering and their Champions League qualification under threat.

The announcement of Bompastor’s contract extension until 2030, made shortly before kick-off, appeared designed to calm the noise surrounding the club-and while Chelsea delivered the necessary result, their overall performance did little to fully silence doubts.

They were second best for larger periods, particularly in the first half, but demonstrated the ruthless efficiency that has defined their dominance in recent seasons. Walsh’s opener and Thompson’s early second-half strike highlighted Chelsea’s ability to seize key moments, even while operating largely on the back foot.

Injuries remain a concern. Teenagers Lexi Potter and Chloe Sarwie featured as substitutes, while captain Millie Bright was forced off late on with a foot problem. Bompastor has acknowledged that a lack of squad depth, exacerbated by injuries, has contributed to Chelsea’s recent struggles.

Off-field moments and what’s next

Adding a touch of celebrity to the occasion, global music icon Madonna watched from the stans after seeing her daughters play for Tottenham’s under-14 side earlier in the weekend.

Attention now turns to the next round of fixtures. Tottenham travel to face Aston Villa Women on Sunday, February 15 (12:00 GMT), while Chelsea host Liverpool Women at the same time as they attempt to maintain pressure on their top-three rivals.

For Chelsea, this was a much-needed release of pressure. For Tottenham, it was a reminder that progress is real-but ruthlessness remains the difference at the very top.