Chelsea’s new era under manager Sonia Bompastor got off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory against Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League opener. The French manager’s desire for her team to be dominant was reflected in their performance, with newcomer Johanna Rytting Kaneryd scoring the only goal of the match.
Despite concerns about how Chelsea would fare in a transition year following Emma Hayes’ departure, the team showed energy and fluidity under Bompastor’s leadership. Villa, also with a new manager and top-six ambitions, put up a spirited fight but ultimately fell short.
The match saw several debutantes on both sides, with notable performances from new Chelsea signings Lucy Bronze and Sandy Baltimore. Villa’s deadline-day signing Gabi Nunes did not feature, while Lauren James started on the bench due to a minor injury.
Chelsea’s dominance in possession was evident throughout the game, with Guro Reiten and Rytting Kaneryd leading the attack. Villa had their moments, with a few close calls in front of goal, but were ultimately unable to break through Chelsea’s defense.
The narrow victory was a testament to Chelsea’s aspirations of shaping the title race early in the season. While Villa showed promise, they were unable to capitalize on their chances. Overall, the result reflected Chelsea’s dominance on the pitch and Villa’s resilience under pressure, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead in the Women’s Super League.
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