Leicester City welcomed Chelsea for the last Women’s Super League match in 2024. Ending the season with a win is not only important for Bompaster her winstreak. Miquel said in the pre-match press conference that her players needed time to recover, physically but also mentally after a tough start, so a point or three would be welcome. Both head coaches know each other from the French league and hinted that they might try to surprise each other. Leicester City did just that by opening the score via Missy Goodwin and holding Chelsea to a draw. Let’s have a look at our Leicester City vs Chelsea match report.
Chelsea takes possession and control
Right from the start The Blues took all the possession, launching threat after threat on Leicester’s box. Deanne Rose was subbed of very early after a challenge from Bronze. The challenge itself did not seem harsh, but Rose was unable to continue. Goodwin replaced her. There was not much worth mentioning in this period, even though the visitors had multiple chances. It was Reiten’s effort form range that rattled the crossbar and had everyone at the edge of their seats. But the effort did not go in.
The strength of Leicester defense was very clear as the visitors dominated on every aspect but could not get into the box for a proper chance. The lines were sealed shut.
Leicester’s surprise: They open the score
Leicester indeed surprised Chelsea. It was their third goal of the season and scoring it against the Champion and number one must feel good. There was a break in the game; Ale drove into the box, her delivery over the ground was behind Takarada but reached Goodwin. The goal scorer was unmarked in the box and Hannah Hampton could do nothing to stop the ball from going in.
Chelsea had 25 minutes to score the equalizer before half time or even completely turn the game around, but they failed to do so. Every combination and pass were stopped by the Leicester defense, except a run from Ramírez into the box. Her delivery was good, but no Chelsea player could get to it.
Breaking through Leicester’s defense
Sophie Howard received a yellow card for a challenge on Ramírez. The Colombian international held her knee and seemed in some pain. Fortunately, she returned to the pitch moments later.
Sonia Bompastor decided on two changes in the break: Lawrence and Hamano came off for Charles and Macario. The first ten minutes of the second half are unimpressive by Chelsea. They do still have most of the control but are unable to break their way through the Leicester defense. The home team allowed Chelsea only one shot on target at this point (59th minute). Something the other teams were not able to do.
Aggie Beever-Jones was brought on at the one-hour mark, Reiten made way. Hoping that she could force the equalizer and make it into a different game. Leicester City’s block was low and with more than 20 minutes on the clock the question was: how long will they hold on? Amandine Miquel took two players off to bring some fresh energy: Takarada and Cain came off for Lass and O’Brien.
Wieke Kaptein with the equalizer
Chelsea created their second shot on target in the 75th minute but it was nothing that troubled Leitzig too much. Bjorn was taken off by Bompastor and Bernabe came on. The equalizer finally came when Wieke Kaptein drove towards the box, keeping her defender at bay and finishing it brilliantly from outside the box.
The hunt for the 1-2 led to plenty of chances for The Blues but nothing, except for a ball on the roof and a couple corners formed a real threat. Goalkeeper Leitzig received treatment increasing the stoppage time to six minutes.
Deep into the stoppage time Sjoeke Nüsken was unmarked in the box and could have scored the 1-2. Her shot went over the goal. With another minute on the clock, Leitzig blocked a header, stopping Chelsea’s last opportunity of the match. It’s the end of Bompastor’s winning streak with The Blues. Leicester City earned an important point, going into the break on a high, just like head coach Miquel hoped.