Blues cruise to 3-0 derby win over Spurs at the Bridge and go top of the WSL

By Paul Lagain at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea FC Women 3 v Spurs Women 0

Chelsea v Spurs

Official attendance - 38,350

Sam Kerr’s first half strike set the Blues on their way to a 3-0 win over Spurs at Stamford Bridge and to the top of the WSL.

A wonder strike from Erin Cuthbert and a penalty from Guro Reiten emphasised the difference in the two sides where even half-attempt on goal was treated like a wonder goal by the way supporters.

In front of an official crowd of 38,300, although many observers felt this was high, The Blues put in a workmanlike performance, rather than a classic one.

Spurs were never quite in the game, but showed great endeavour, but their inability to halt the movement of Kerr or player of the match Reiten was their undoing.

However it was Chelsea who started off strangely quietly with little tempo to their play.

Spurs by contrast were energetic, and happy to retain posession, albeit in their own half.

On eight minutes, Spurs midfielder Celin Bizet was given a yellow card for hauling back Jessie Fleming.

But with their first attack Chelsea scored and it was striking sensation Kerr on 11 minutes

She latched onto a long through ball by Sophie Ingle. The Australian collected the ball on the left apex of the Spurs penalty area, and left fly with a low drive that inched past three desperate defenders and into the far side netting.

Kerr latched onto another long ball, this time from Erin Cuthbert, but her effort, while on target was snaffled well by Tinja Riikka-Korpela in goal on 22 minutes.

But number two was quick to follow on 25 minutes. A regulation corner by Reiten was headed clear to the right apex of Spurs’ area. On the spot was Cuthbert, who chested the ball down and with a swift half right-footed volley rammed the ball high beyond the goalkeeper and into the back of her net.

Lauren James produced another piece of close control magic on 36 minutes, and was upended by Ashleigh Neville. Norway winger Reiten took the spot kick and rammed the ball home confidently to give the Blues. 3-0 lead.

There were no changes by either side at half time.

But it wasn’t long before head coach Emma Hayes brought on Jess Carter for skipper Magda Eriksson on 49 minutes.

Chelsea almost struck again on 56 minutes when a corner went cross the goal and at the far post, there was Millie Bright who thumped a venomous right-footer which zipped across the crossbar.

Soon to enter the fray were Fran Kirby and Beth England, off went Kerr and Cuthbert.

Spurs opted to make their first subtitution - Rosella Ayone came on for Bizet on 69 minutes.

James forced Riikka-Korpela into a smart save on 75 minutes as Chelsea looked to improve their goal difference.

With Wednesday’s Champions League game against Real Madrid, at Kingsmeadow, in mind, Hayes decided to rest a couple of more players - on came Aniek Nouwen and Katerina Svitkova and off went Reiten and Buchanan.

The game petered out from this point onwards, the home side satisfied at a job well done, the opposition happy not to have conceded in the second half.

Teams: Chelsea, Berger, Bright, Ingle, James, Reiten, Perisset, Eriksson, Fleming Kerr, Cuthbert, Buchanan,

Subs, Musovic, Nouwen, Carter, England, Svitkova, Kirby, Rytting Kaneryd, Charles, Abullina

Spurs, Riikka-Korpela, Zadorsky, Turner, Bartrip, Naz, Ale, Bizet, James, Spence, Summanen, Neville

Subs, Spencer, Harrop, Cho, Ubogagu, Ayone, Pearse