WSL: Chelsea drop first points against resolute Leicester City  | OneFootball

Chelsea’s winning run of 13 games ended after a resolute Leicester City held them to a 1-1 draw in their final Women’s Super League game of 2024.

Leicester City hosted Chelsea at the King Power for match-day ten. On the back of four WSL defeats, the Foxes hoped to go into the festive break with something positive to cheer. Missy Goodwin scored in the first half, with Leicester’s only shot on target. Wieke Kaptein equalised late on for the Blues, who dropped points for the first time this season.

Starting XIs

Leicester City

Leitzig; Howard, Takarada, Rose, Cayman, Ale, Thibaud, Cain, Kees, Momiki, Mace

Chelsea

Hampton; Bronze, Bjorn, Bright, Lawrence, Nusken, Kaptein, Kaneryd, Hamano, Reiten, Ramirez

How it went

Leicester restricted Chelsea to shots from the edge of the box, with Millie Bright and Guro Reiten coming close. Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig proved up to the test, diving high to ensure her goal was covered.

An early injury for the home side saw Deanne Rose replaced by Goodwin. It was against the run of play that the substitute ended a sublime counter attack to put the Foxes a goal up. Great play on the wing from Hannah Cain found the overlapping Asmita Ale. Ale’s perfect pass found Goodwin in the area. The young Lioness calmly took a touch and fired to the side of Hannah Hampton to give the Foxes a surprising lead. It proved to be Leicester’s only shot on target and saw them lead by a single goal at the break.

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Second half action

Chelsea came out of the blocks in the second half but couldn’t turn their chances into a test for Leitzig who covered her goal well. Leicester looked determined and their centre back pairing of Howard and Kees were a great combination.

The 68th minute saw Leicester fans celebrate as they saw the return of long term injured player Shannon O’Brien.

The pressure finally turned into the goal Chelsea had sought as Leicester players backed off Kaptein. She progressed forward and struck a powerful shot into the bottom corner from outside the box. The Chelsea relief was palpable and skipper Sonia Bompastor roared her side on for a winner from the edge of the pitch, gathering every loose ball herself to help attacks keep pace. The Blues couldn’t find a winner though, and Leicester deservedly took a point from the match.

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Coming up next

Chelsea remain top of the WSL table, but could see their lead cut to three points on Sunday when Manchester City take on Everton. The Blues next travel to face Real Madrid in the Champions’ League on the 17th of December. Their next WSL match will be on the 19th of January, when they face West Ham at Chigwell Stadium.

Leicester, meanwhile, add a crucial point as they go above Everton on goal difference into tenth place with six points. The Foxes will next be in action on the 12th January, where they will welcome Stoke City in the FA Cup. They return to WSL action when they travel to Brisbane Road to face Tottenham on the 19th of January.

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