I love this club so much. Do you miss Emma?

The Group stage is finally over and for the most part there were two stand out teams in every group. Feels like we've known for awhile which teams would make it through and we were just waiting to see who would end up 1st in the groups.

I can't say there were any real upsets either. I thought that maybe Juventus could perhaps get a point from Arsenal and/or Bayern Münich, but it wasn't surprising that they ended up third.

These teams made it through: (1st/2nd)

Group A: Lyon, Wolfsburg

Group B: Chelsea, Real Madrid

Group C: Arsenal, Bayern Münich

Group D: Barcelona, Manchester City

Really nice to see three english teams reach the quarter finals.

Chelsea and Lyon were the only teams to win all 6 games. Lyon managed to only concede a single goal, which was the best among all teams. Most goals scored and best goal difference belongs to Barcelona. 26 goals scored and a +23 GD. Impressive, to the surprise of nobody.

The draw for the quarter finals and the semi finals will be drawn on 7th February 2025. The group winners will be drawn against the runner-ups from a different group and will play the 2nd leg at home.

The first legs of the quarter finals will be played on March 18-19 and the 2nd leg on March 26-27. The semi finals will be played on April 19-20 and April 26-27. The final is played on the 24th of May in Lisbon.

Chelsea can face Bayern Münich, Manchester City or Wolfsburg. There's not really any easy teams left, but out of those three, I might hope for Wolfsburg. Not an easy team to face, but I'd rather take on them than Münich and have to face Eriksson and Harder, and if we can avoid City, then maybe they can reach the semi final as well.

If I can pick my dream draw, it would perhaps look like this: Chelsea v Wolfsburg, Barcelona v Bayern Münich, Arsenal v Real Madrid, Lyon v Manchester City.

Could also be cool to get Barcelona against Real Madrid.

What team do you all hope Chelsea will get and what are your other prefered draws?

Magda brace away at Arsenal.

1-2 58’

Once a blue etc 💙

Today JRK was awarded Diamantbollen 2024, which is the award given to the female Player of the Year in Sweden. She's the third Chelsea player to recieve the award after Hedvig Lindahl (2015, 2016) and Magdalena Eriksson (2020).

She was also named "Forward of the Year" a few days ago. Fully deserved both awards. She's improved a lot in recent seasons and has become such a great and important player. Hopefully she can continue to grow even more under Bompastor. If she does, then this will not be the last time Jojo takes home a big award.

###The Chelsea FC Women December round-up - almost-perfect Chelsea end the year on top

Welcome to the fourth Chelsea FC Women monthly round-up of the 2024/25 season.

These reviews are posted on a monthly basis throughout the season, and each features a summary of all the action for Chelsea FC Women - and a preview of the month to come

(These posts are long reads, so feel free to skip to the end for the summary!)

###Introduction

Sonia Bompastor’s first season as Chelsea manager is going better than even the most optimistic fans could have imagined.

With four fixtures to come in December, we began the month having won every single game contested this season - twelve from twelve in the WSL and Champions League.

The only negative has been a growing collection of injuries - which feels a concern for every team these days. In November, Kadeisha Buchanan became the fifth Chelsea player to be currently ruled out with an ACL injury - and Lauren James was to be ruled be out until after Christmas with a calf injury, whilst Erin Cuthbert and Cat Macario also missed games.

Squad depth would be important, as the four games were to be squeezed into two weeks, as we alternated between the WSL and the final two games of our Champions League group - with the mission of ensuring we finished 2024 on a high.

###Key headlines

FA Cup and League Cup draws

After Christmas we will see Chelsea participate in the two domestic cup competitions for the first time this season. Our opponents for each were confirmed this month, and we are set to face second-tier teams in both.

First, we will host Charlton in our first fixture of 2025, in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and then their fellow Championship outfit Durham will travel to Kingsmeadow, for the quarter-final of the Conti Cup.

The Women’s League Cup is a slightly unusual competition, in which due to having participated in Europe Chelsea are catapulted in straight at the quarter-final stage - having skipped the preceding group phase.

Chelsea failed to win either cup competition last season - and lost in the Conti Cup final for the second year in a row, to Arsenal, so will be looking to set the record straight this year. These draws are good starts to both campaigns, with both being favourable home ties.

#Now - to the action!

Chelsea 4-2 Brighton (WSL)

The international break had felt like a long time since we had last seen Chelsea in action - although it had really only been two weeks. That time did mean the chance for the first matchday squad of December to contain the very welcome sight of Niamh Charles, with our vice-captain fit again after a three-month absence with a dislocated shoulder.

Sonia Bompastor made three changes to the line-up which beat Man United in our last outing, with Wieke Kaptein and Aggie Beever-Jones coming in for Maika Hamano and Mayra Ramirez.Ashley Lawrence also replaced Sandy Baltimore, who was absent from the squad entirely. This would be a concern, as the Frenchwoman has been in brilliant form in her debut season at the club - although Lawrence is a more than able deputy.

This was a tricky fixture to return to. Brighton have been the breakout team of the WSL thus far this season, and ahead of kick-off sat third in the league - ahead of both Arsenal and Man United. The Seagulls had a statement summer in the market, with acquisitions including Nikita Parris - and a Chelsea legend, Fran Kirby, who joined the South Coast side following the end of her contract at Chelsea.

Unfortunately, an injury picked up on international duty meant Kirby missed the opportunity to make an emotional return to Kingsmeadow - although another former Blue, Jelena Cankovic did start for Brighton.

The other major signing for Brighton was their new manager Dario Vidosic, who has revolutionised their style of play to a possession-based, build-from-the-back approach - and gained many admirers in the process. This does leave them vulnerable to an extent, however - and they were exposed to the tune of a 5-0 shellacking against Arsenal back in November, although that result remains an anomaly in their otherwise impressive season.

Storm Darragh had been battering the United Kingdom in the days leading up to the fixture, but with the west coast having the worst of the weather, the game was safe to go ahead - although conditions still remained tricky.

The early signs were that it was going to be an entertaining affair, with both sides having chances in the opening ten minutes - and both sides showing some suspect defending.

Brighton were nearly ahead when Cankovic robbed Nusken inside her own area, but Hampton did brilliantly to save from Parris - before Nusken was back on the goal line to clear from Cankovic’s follow up, to atone for her error.

With Brighton pushing high, Chelsea were looking threatening on the break - and from set pieces, with Lucy Bronze having a well-struck volley from a corner deflected behind.

It seemed certain a matter of when not if the scoring would be opened, with Parris and Rytting Kaneryd squandering good opportunities at either end.

Eventually, Chelsea did have the ball in the back of the net - and unsurprisingly, Brighton had been the architects of their own downfall, having not let up with their high risk tactics.

It saw a role reversal, with Nusken this time catching out Cankovic - but unlike in the earlier incident, Nuksen was able to make it count and give Chelsea the lead.

The lead felt slightly fortuitous, in that Brighton had been causing the Chelsea defence a lot of problems - and the Blues had even more luck shortly after, and it was again a goal of the Seagulls’ own making.

It came just after Hampton had made a brilliant save to keep out a diving header from Seike - and through her opposition number in the Brighton goal, Sophie Baggaley. Beever-Jones nicked the ball off the toes of Baggaley as she dribbled out of her six-yard box, and although she initially hit the post, was able to retain control of the ball and then dribble it over the line.

The 2-0 lead for Chelsea was not one which reflected the balance of play, and so when Brighton pulled it back to 2-1, it was very much deserved.

An eventful return to Kingsmeadow continued for Cankovic, who benefitted from the excellent composure of Parris to set up the chance - but then produced a top class curling effort to finally beat Hampton.

There was time for Rytting Kaneryd to have a goal disallowed before the break, but not much else - and with the score 2-1 at half time, and with the endeavour Brighton were showing, the game felt very much up for grabs.

Chelsea had looked rusty in parts, and potentially affected by the conditions - and if not for Hampton and some wasteful Brighton finishing, it could be a very different game. Bompastor saw fit to change it up at half time, with Charles making her return to a huge ovation, in place of Lawrence, and Macario coming on for Kaptein, in a more attacking change.

It did not seem much had changed though, with the whole game lacking any sense of control. Brighton could have had an equaliser within five minutes, but Hampton saved well with her feet from Seike - and like in the first half the away team were left ruing that, as Chelsea again scored soon after.

It was another slightly ridiculous goal. The cross that created the chance from Macario was a brilliant one, and at first it looked like Baggaley had done brilliantly to keep out the onrushing Bronze’s effort - only for the rebound to bounce in off of Rytting Kaneryd, and after another bit of luck Chelsea’s two-goal lead was restored.

At 3-1, the game did now settle a bit - but with both sides still pushing for more goals, it felt like there was still more to come.

And so it proved. Hampton had arguably been Chelsea’s player of the match, but was culpable for the second Brighton goal - taking a leaf out of their book in playing it out from her goal straight to Aygemang, who played in Seike, who was finally on the scoresheet.

At 3-2, it looked like it was going to be a very nervy final 20 minutes. The introduction of Ramirez from the bench helped swing the pendulum Chelsea’s way, with the Colombian bringing the game back to Brighton, and nearly making the points secure with a header from a corner that came back off the post.

Hearts were in mouths when Seike once again found herself clean through on the Chelsea goal - and it would have been the equaliser if not for another decisive stop from Hampton, making up for her earlier error. There was more goal line scrambling from Chelsea from the subsequent corner, who just about got it away - and there was a real sense we were clinging on.

Chelsea themselves had looked dangerous from set pieces all afternoon, in the windy weather - and it was from a corner that we eventually somehow did wrap up the three points. It was a second of the game for Nusken, who nodded in a Macario corner at the near post, making it 4-2 in the first minute of injury time.

The full time whistle was greeted with relief as much as celebration, as despite what looks like a relatively comfortable scoreline, this was anything but for Chelsea against an exciting if chaotic Brighton side - who brought an energy which seemed contagious, given how Chelsea played.

A thoroughly silly game - and if examined there would be worries about her defence, and the control in midfield… but returning from the international break, in the inclement weather, and against a side like Brighton, those flaws could maybe be forgiven.

It added up to a 13th consecutive win for Chelsea - and restored our five point lead at the top of the WSL, after Manchester City had won their own game earlier.

Next up for Chelsea would be Champions League action, against Twente - and hopefully a calmer evening.

Chelsea 6-1 Twente (WCL)

The Blues’ first European assignment of December was expected to be a straightforward one, with the match already a dead rubber for the opponents.

We already knew from the last match week that Chelsea and Real Madrid will progress to the Champions League knockout stage, after Christmas - with only which of the two sides will advance as group winners yet to be determined.

That meant it was far from a dead rubber for Chelsea - but with the quality of squad Sonia Bompastor has at her disposal, she was able to make seven changes and still name an intimidatingly strong side.

Notably, Cat Macario started again as she continues to prove her fitness after a stuttering start to the year - and Niamh Charles made her first start of the season, having come on as a substitute against Brighton in her own return from a shoulder injury.

Macario almost immediately showed why she is a player who so many remain so excited about, despite her battles with injury and fitness. The American had forced a turnover from the Twente defence, and then the move between her and Mayra Ramirez looked to have broken down - only for Macario to show great ingenuity to react to her own deflected shot, flicking the ball up and volleying past Olivia Clarke for an early opening goal.

The situation looked like it could get ugly quickly for Twente, with Chelsea playing with the confidence of a team who have won 14 games in a row - and Ramirez and Erin Cuthbert being the next two players to threaten the Twente goal.

However, Twente gradually grew into the game, and Zecira Musovic - in for Hannah Hampton in goal - did well to keep out a powerful effort from Jaimy Ravensbergen.

The Dutch champions were then handed an unlikely route back into the game when Maika Hamano made a silly challenge to take down Charlotte Hulst in the box and concede a penalty. Kayleigh Van Dooren beat Musovic with the spot-kick, and it was back on level terms.

Not for long, however. Oriane Jean-Francois restored Chelsea’s lead with her first ever Champions League goal - and goal for Chelsea. Ramirez set Jean-Francois on her way, and she then showed excellent feet to jink into the box, and rifle home a left-footed shot.

So quickly restoring the lead seemed to break the Twente resistance - and these two goals in quick succession were followed by two more, but both for Chelsea. This meant the game was finished as a contest by half time, but not before the Stamford Bridge crowd had been treated to some real entertainment.

The third Chelsea goal, suitably, came from one of our most entertaining players. Macario’s goal had been cheeky, but her accomplice Ramirez showed even more audacity - spotting Clark stranded off her line, and proceeding to lob her from about 35 yards.

Then, just three minutes later Erin Cuthbert made it 4-1 to Chelsea, despite the best efforts of defender Anna Knol to keep it out. The goal was another where Twente partly had themselves to blame - being caught playing out from the back, much like Brighton had been the weekend before.

The only dampener on the high spirits of the first half was Jean-Francois being forced off with an injury - although after taking a knock the Frenchwoman was able to at least hobble off unaided, to be replaced by former Twente player Wieke Kaptein.

Bompastor then gave Ramirez the second half off, with Bjorn also replaced by Nusken. It did not take long for the German to make an impact, with Nusken adding to her two goals against Brighton in the previous game with a close-range finish from a Hamano cross.

The rest of the second half was essentially one-way traffic, with Chelsea relentless in attack - although the torrent of goals did seem to have been stymied. There was opportunity for 17-year-old Lola Brown to make her second senior appearance, after her debut vs Celtic last month - and the teenager forced a save out of Clark soon after, which was nearly converted on the rebound by Kaptein.

Given the chances Chelsea were having, and the endeavour being shown in attack - particularly by the likes of Hamano - it was a surprise that it took until the 85th minute for there to be another goal, and it was also a surprising source.

It was only Eve Perisset’s second goal in Blue - having scored her first in our last Champions League outing, an injury time penalty vs Celtic. This time the Frenchwoman was on hand to finish after Twente had failed to clear a corner.

Six was enough for Chelsea, with Perisset completing a tennis score - and the six goals had also come from six different goalscorers, which is usually the sign of a fun game.

Following Twente’s equaliser, and Jean-Francois’ quick response, it was cruise control for Chelsea.

A similarly comprehensive win for Real Madrid - 3-0 vs Celtic - meant that top spot in the group remains undecided, and Chelsea would have to travel to the Spanish capital to settle that matter, in the final group fixture.

Leicester 1-1 Chelsea (WSL)

Whatever happened in our final WSL game of the calendar year, Chelsea knew we will start 2025 top of the WSL, due to having a five point cushion over second place Man City.

With the Blues playing in the first fixture of the weekend, on Saturday lunchtime, there was a chance to stretch that to eight points by full time, even if only temporarily.

Instead, when it was least expected, Chelsea dropped points for the first time this season - bringing our winning streak to a halt at 14 games.

This was one of the shock results of the WSL thus far. Leicester came into the game second-bottom, above Crystal Palace on goal difference alone. The Foxes had found it tough-going under new manager Amandine Miquel - and have been ravaged by injuries, particularly in the forward line.

Injury concerns have been mounting for Chelsea too, with Julie Bartel, Maelys Mpome and Sandy Baltimore unavailable for the trip to the Midlands, adding to our long-term absentee list.

Nonetheless, the vast difference in the squad depth between the two sides meant that was no excuse. In terms of the line-up, Bompastor made eight changes from the side that beat Twente midweek, including Wieke Kaptein starting in place of Erin Cuthbert, who missed out due to suspension from yellow card accumulation.

The two managers were familiar to each other, having faced off at their former clubs, in France - but Bompastor and Amandine Miquel have had very different starts to life in England thus far. The first significant event of the match was Leicester’s Deanne Rose being forced off injured. This was to become even more significant when her replacement, Missy Goodwin, put Leicester into a shock early lead, massively against the run of play.

The opening twenty minutes had seen Chelsea dominate possession, but without threatening the Leicester goal - aside from a long-range effort from Reiten that glanced the crossbar.

The Foxes’ goal was well-worked, but the Chelsea defence were lacking - and there was a worrying complacency about the Blues.

It was only Leicester’s third goal of the season - to highlight how much of a shock this was - and was also the first time Chelsea had been behind in a WSL game.

The shock did not lead to a response from Chelsea - who were thoroughly insipid in the first half, with the two banks of four from Leicester looking very comfortable as Chelsea toiled.

It looked suspiciously like the players had had their Christmas party the night before, and the noon kickoff had taken them by surprise - and easily the worst 45 minutes of the season from the Blues. Unsurprisingly, Bompastor changed it up at half-time, with Niamh Charles and Catarina Macario coming on for Ashley Lawrence and Maika Hamano.

At the 60 minute mark, Chelsea had still only registered one shot on target. The only positive stat was the corner tally, which we were racking up - but to no result.

Bompastor made more changes, with Reiten coming off for Beever-Jones, and Alejandra Bernabé on for Bjorn in a more left-field move.

Judging by the collectively poor team performance, it was likely going to take some individual brilliance for Chelsea to get back into the game - and so it proved, with a bolt from the blue via the foot of Kaptein putting us back on level terms. Her strike from the edge of the box came with just under 15 minutes left to play, and was a very rare moment of quality from the Blues.

The final ten minutes saw Chelsea actually starting to test Leitzig in the Leicester goal - but she proved equal to it, and it looked likely the home side would hold on for a very deserved point.

The corner count reached 20 - and Chelsea very nearly won it at the death, but Nusken blazed over from close range, after good work from Ramirez to set up a golden opportunity for the German. In truth, it would have been a thoroughly undeserved win - Leicester had defended admirably, and far too many Chelsea players just did not turn up.

All good things came to an end - and so too did Chelsea’s winning streak, just shy of what would have been a perfect ten WSL games, and a new record for consecutive wins in the league.

This could have been an opportunity for Man City to cut into Chelsea’s lead at the top - but instead, City fluffed their own lines away to Everton, an equally shocking 2-1 defeat. This meant that our lead at the top actually extended to six points - offsetting the disappointment there was from this result.

Real Madrid 1-2 Chelsea (WCL)

Even though both of Chelsea and Real Madrid had already qualified for the next stage of the Champions League, there was still a lot riding on the final match of the group - with top spot yet to be decided.

This is important, as the team finishing first in the group will receive a seeded spot for the quarter-finals - and hence avoid the other group winners. With Chelsea having beaten Real Madrid in a 3-2 thriller at Stamford Bridge, in the opening fixture of our campaign, we held the advantage - needing just a point to finish ahead of the Spaniards. Both teams have won every game since that clash - and Real Madrid in particular look to have grown into the competition.

It was set to be a tough task, especially at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium, which with a 6,000 capacity and a passionate home crowd, can generate an intense atmosphere.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was unavailable, having picked up a calf injury in training, whilst Sandy Baltimore was back fit, having missed the past three games, meaning we traded one of our form players of the season for another.

With our last fixture having seen us lose our 100% winning record, in the shock 1-1 draw at Leicester, there was added motivation to right that wrong with an improved performance - and a result that would mean we ended an excellent first half of the season on a real high.

Erin Cuthbert was back into the starting line-up, having missed out on the draw against Leicester due to suspension from accumulated yellow cards, taking the injured Rytting Kaneryd’s spot in the starting XI. Niamh Charles also made her second start of the season, in place of Ashley Lawrence at left back, with Aggie Beever-Jones being handed the nod ahead of Maika Hamano, as the other change.

Real Madrid started well - with Caroline Weir testing Hannah Hampton inside the opening minutes, and the keeper making the save. The next question Weir asked, however, was not so easily answered - Hampton was able to get a hand to the Scot’s looping effort, only to see it spin over the line, rather than over the bar.

Like against Leicester, then, Chelsea were behind in the first half - and left with work to do. The Blues were looking more inventive in attack than in that game, and could have equalised through Guro Reiten, Mayra Ramirez and Niamh Charles in turn - with Reiten’s curling effor the pick of the lot.

Real Madrid remained very dangerous too - and with Weir pulling strings and Olga Carmona looking electric, we were fortunate not to have conceded another by half time. Unlike in most games Chelsea play, it was Real Madrid in control of possession and territory, and having the better of the game.

At the break, Chelsea faced finishing second in our group, despite having won the first five games - due to Real Madrid’s superior head-to-head record, on away goals.

Whatever Bompastor said at half time worked - or more to the point, her half time substitution of Cat Macario worked. The American replaced Ramirez, who had been well-marshalled by the Real Madrid defence - and the impact was instant.

Macario thought she had equalised within a minute of coming on - only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

There was not much to doubt about the next time she had the ball in the back of the net, only five minutes later. Carmona, who had been one of Real Madrid’s stand-outs, could only bring Macario down as she danced into the box - and with Reiten having been subbed off with an ankle injury, Macario herself stepped up to fire confidently past Real Madrid’s Misa Rogriguez, and make it 1-1.

It was double trouble for Carmona just minutes later - this time the Spaniard was deemed to have handled in the box, and Macario repeated the feat from 12 yards with a very similar penalty, meaning that less than 10 minutes into the second half, Chelsea had turned it around.

The game was far from over, however, with Real Madrid now throwing everything they had in search of an equaliser - and like the second half in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, it was all hands on deck for Chelsea to keep them at bay.

This did leave the home side vulnerable on the counter - with Chelsea also having chances to put the game beyond Real Madrid, but to no avail.

Thankfully, there was no late drama - and Chelsea were able to see out a win that meant we did secure top spot, and an advantageous seeding for the quarter-final draw.

The first half was Real Madrid’s - but the second half Chelsea’s, and mainly Macario’s, who in her 45 minutes reminded us again of her ability to be a quite literal game-changer.

Have no doubt - this was an impressive win, away in Europe, and rounds off six wins from six in the Champions League group stage.

Whilst at half time it looked like we might end the year on a dull note - instead we were able to end it singing the praises of the deserving Macario.

###December results in brief

###Summary

At the end of December, Chelsea remained unbeaten both domestically and in Europe, are six points clear at the top of the WSL - and qualified as group winners for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, having won all six of our group stage games.

Things could not be going much better then - our record reads as 15 wins and a solitary draw, and this in a season which was meant to be a transitional one under new manager Sonia Bompastor.

December did also see our 100% winning record come to an end, however - a surprise 1-1 draw against relegation-battling Leicester, which has been the only real disappointment of the season so far. There have also been signs of vulnerability even in the games we’ve won - with in particular the defence looking suspect at times, and in the final two games of this month the attack looking laboured.

It might be that the winter break is needed, after running a two-game-a-week schedule for much of the season so far - and injury concerns are mounting, too. December did see the return of Macario and Charles to fitness, with both looking in good form - but we also saw Rytting Kaneryd and Reiten pick up injuries this month. Bompastor will hope the winter break allows them, and Lauren James, who has missed most of the season, to return fit for January.

Nonetheless - six points clear in the league, and a perfect record to win our Champions League group… it can only be an A-grade on the half term report card, for Chelsea and Bompastor.

###January preview

The players will now have three weeks off - although after some time off for Christmas, they will be busy with a training camp.

When they return to match action, it will be to our first participation in the FA Cup this season, a home tie against Championship side Charlton. Next, we will travel to West Ham in the WSL, before back to cup action - this time in the quarter-final of the Conti Cup, another home tie vs Championship opposition, in Durham.

This is a kind return to action, relatively - but the intensity will amp up in the final fixture of January, with a big London derby, against Arsenal.

That game will be played at Stamford Bridge - and after the departure of their manager Jonas Eidevall following the reverse fixture of the Emirates, Arsenal have found their form, and so this match is a very different prospect.

#UTC!

Okay okay so Cat and Naomi played together at Stanford AND play on the USWNT together but still…. 🤞🏼

###FINAL: CHE 2-1 RMA

Date: Tuesday, 17 December 2024

KO: 17:45 UK time

Competition: UEFA Women’s Champions League

Venue: Estadio Alfredo di Stefano

Welcome to the /r/chelsealadiesfc match thread for our final match of 2024 and in the Champions League group stage, away to Real Madrid. Here you will find a match preview, squad notes, and updates once we kick off.

###MATCH PREVIEW

Chelsea are still top of the Women’s Super League table after a lacklustre performance vs Leicester at the weekend, and 22 players headed to the Spanish capital for a clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday evening.

This is the final group stage match of this year’s Women’s Champions League, with the Blues also at the top of Group B ahead of Las Blancas (who were our first opponents this year). Matches with the Spanish side have historically been tough, and this is the third consecutive season that we have faced them in this stage. The reverse fixture ended 3-2, back on 8 October: Chelsea took an early lead through a Sjoeke Nusken header that deflected into the net, and Guro Reiten converted yet another penalty for Chelsea to put us 2-0 up before Madrid pulled one back. Mayra Ramirez added our third and then Linda Caicedo came off the bench to score late for Real Madrid, making for a nervy finish.

Last week’s fixture in this competition was a rather straightforward one, with Sonia Bompastor’s side putting six past FC Twente. The league fixture less than 72 hours later was a different story, and teenage midfielder Wieke Kaptein rescued a point in the closing stages of the match after the Blues trailed for almost an hour. It was the first time this season where Chelsea conceded first and though the majority of possession was ours, it took 77 minutes to find a way to score.

Bompastor (and many fans) had frustrations after the game, though we do remain unbeaten. The boss said we need to be ready to perform tonight, and head into the Christmas holidays with a good result.

“We analysed the performance and we talked with the girls about it,” Bompastor said in her pre-match press conference. “We need to learn from that and move forward. This is not something we can control anymore because it's in the past.”

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd did not travel with the team after suffering a calf injury, but Sandy Baltimore is available again for selection.

HOW TO WATCH

This match will be streamed worldwide on the DAZN app and website.

As always, the CFCW X/Twitter page will provide updates. .

LINE-UPS

CHE: Hampton; Bronze, Bjorn, Bright (c), Charles, Nusken, Cuthbert, Kaptein, Reiten, Beever-Jones, Ramirez.

Subs: Musovic, Cox, Lawrence, Perisset, Bartel, Brown, Jean-Francois, Hamano, Baltimore, Macario.

RMA: Misa, Gómez, Lakrar, Méndez, Carmona (c), Angeldahl, Toletti, Leupolz, Weird, Bruun, Caicedo

Subs: Chavas, López, Hernández, Silva, Abelleira, Redondo, Moller, Camacho, Navarro, Feller, Castillo.

MATCH EVENTS

1' And we're underway!! COME ON!!

7' GOAL. Caroline Weir starts and finishes a move for Real Madrid, with her shot too much for Hannah Hampton to palm over the bar.

12' Good chance there from Guro Reiten, and a very good save from Misa to deny the prolific Norwegian.

17' Real's Bruun found offside.

23' Ramirez surges forward for Chelsea, but the Real Madrid defence is well-organised and keeps her from coming through.

26' Carmona is just wide of Real's second after another excellent pass from Caroline Weir...

30' Ramirez does well to hold off two defenders, but is drawn too far to the right to get a good angle on the goal and her shot is off-target.

40' CHE sub: Hamano on for Reiten.

44' Another chance denied - and Chelsea take a quick corner after Charles' shot is saved.

45' Three minutes added.

HALFTIME: Chelsea again are struggling to create and finish their chances, and RMA are ahead 1-0 on that early Weir goal.

46' Back underway!!

49' PENALTY to Chelsea after Carmona trips Cat Macario.

51' GOALLLL!!!!! Macario buries the penalty and we are level.

53' Chelsea pushing forward again now, another corner.

54' Another penalty to us! This time for handball on Carmona....and...

55' GOOALLL!!! ANOTHER penalty from Macario, taken the exact same way and powering us in front!!!

58' Real Madrid win a corner, and the ball is clear.

60' RMA subs: Feller and Redondo on for Caicedo and Bruun.

71' CHE subs: Baltimore and Lawrence on for Charles and Nusken.

72' Feller, completely alone in the box, manages to completely miss her shot.

86' Madrid still on the hunt for an equaliser...

90 + 2' Leupolz takes a late corner as we go into added time.

FINAL: Chelsea 2, Real Madrid 1! We cement our status at the top of the group, after substitute Cat Macario's twin penalties make the difference in the second half. Six wins from six in the Champions League, and the girls can rest and recharge before we go again in the new year.

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/home-draw-in-womens-league-cup-opener

Chelsea have been drawn at home against Durham in our opening match of this season’s Subway Women’s League Cup.

Man City (with a couple of big injuries) 2-0 down at Everton at HT!!

Their lack of squad depth has been a problem for them for a while now.

#Welcome to the /r/chelsealadiesfc match thread for our final WSL fixture of 2024, away to Leicester

Date: 14th December 2024

KO: 12:00 GMT

Competition: Women's Super League

Venue: King Power Stadium

#MATCH PREVIEW

Whatever happens in our final WSL game of the calendar year, Chelsea will start 2025 top of the WSL, due to having a five point cushion over second place Man City.

With the Blues playing in the first fixture of the weekend, on Saturday lunchtime, that could stretch to eight points by full time - and given the respective positions of the two times, it is expected Chelsea will extend our lead at the top of the table, even if only temporarily.

Leicester are currently second-bottom, above Crystal Palace on goal difference alone. The Foxes have found it tough-going under new manager Amandine Miquel - and have been ravaged by injuries, particularly in the forward line.

Injury concerns are mounting for Chelsea too, with Sonia Bompastor confirming Julie Bartel, Maelys Mpome and Sandy Baltimore remain unavailable for the trip to the Midlands, all three having missed the midweek win vs Twente. This adds to our long-term absentee list.

There is a vast difference in the squad depth between the two sides though, so that will be no excuse - this is a three points Chelsea are expected to get, and if we can, it will make it a perfect 10 out of 10 wins thus far in 2024/25, in the WSL.

Elsewhere, Man City will also likely have little issue finding a win in their away game to Everton - and so Chelsea must do our bit, too, if we want to keep the advantage we hold going into the winter break.

#HOW TO FOLLOW

The game will be broadcast live for free on the WSL YouTube channel worldwide.

As always, the CFCW Twitter account will provide live updates.

#LINE UPS:

Leicester: Leitzig, Howard, Takarada, Rose, Cayman, Ale, Thibaud, Cain, Kees, Momiki, Mace. (Subs: Kop, Nevin, Swaby, Pelgander, Las, Kaczmar, Sherwood, Goodwin, O'Brien.)

Chelsea: Hampton, Bronze, Bjorn, Bright (C), Lawrence, Nusken, Kaptein, Kaneryd, Hamano, Reiten, Ramirez (Subs: Musovic, Cox, Beever-Jones, Brown, Bernabe, Jean-Francois, Macario, Charles, Perisset)

#MATCH EVENTS

KICK OFF! Chelsea get things rolling, at the King Power

3' - Brief pause as Reiten is done after a knock, but seems okay to continue

9' - First sight of goal as Hamano sets up a chance for Reiten, but she blazes over

10' - First substitution is a Leicester one, with Rose having to come off injured, following a strong tackle from Bronze

13' - Woodwork! Reiten floats one from about 35 yards and it strucks the bar - would have been a goal of the season contender that!

19' - GOAL! Well well well. Goodwin, who came on for Rose, puts Leicester ahead completely against the run of play - with their first real venture into the Chelsea box. The defence looked slack, and potentially complacent. Leicester 1-0 Chelsea - the Blues now have work to do.

45' - Three minutes of injury time. Ramirez takes a heavy one from Sophie Howard, who is booked - and now Mayra needs some treatment.

45+4' - Final action of the half will be a Chelsea free kick, fro wide right, but Leicester clear

HALF TIME! The worst 45 minutes of the season from Chelsea. We will need to step it up big time

SECOND HALF! Unsuprisingly, Bompastor has changed it up, with Niamh Charles and Catarina Macario coming on for Ashley Lawrence and Maika Hamano.

62' - SUBSTITUTION. It's just not working. No shots on target this half for Chelsea, and Reiten is off to be replaced by Beever-Jones

75' - SUBSTITUTION. Interesting, Bernabe on for Bjorn

75' - Chelsea's second attempt on target of the game is easily saved. Seriously.

77' - GOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLL!!! It was going to need a moment of inspiration, because the team effort has been dire. A world class strike from distance from Wieke Kaptein, and it's Leicester 1-1 Chelsea

82' - Chelsea actually nearly score from a corner. Strong header just over. Leitzig now down injured... potentially some game management

85' - Leitzig was fine. O'Brien booked for a foul, Chelsea have a free kick just on the edge of the final third, but Macario's delivery is cleared for yet another corner

88' - Kaptein's header nearly finds the net, but Leitzig tips it round the post for another corner

88' - So close from Bronze! She so nearly flicks in the corner, but Leicester just about clear

90' - SIX minutes of added time for Chelsea to find a winner

90+3' - the corner count reaches 20

90+5' - that was probably the chance... Ramirez finds Nusken, but she blazes way over the bar

90+7' - SO CLOSE! Chelsea nearly win it at the death, but Leitzig makes her final save of the game, and that's full time

#Final score: Leicester 1-1 Chelsea

#Up the Chels!

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/sonia-bompastor-delivers-team-news-ahead-of-leicester-trip TLDR: Bartel and Mpome have quad injuries that will keep them out of the next two, Baltimore won't play vs Leicester but has a shot against Real Madrid, LJ is doing well and will be back after the break, and Mia and Sam are taking their time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG6Jspp-0pI

FINA: CHE 6-1 TWE

Date: Wednesday, 11 December 2024

KO: 20:00

Competition: Women’s Champions League, group stages

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Welcome to the /r/chelsealadiesfc match thread for our penultimate match in the Champions League group stages! Here you will find a match preview, squad notes, and updates once we kick off.

###MATCH PREVIEW

Another Champions League night under the lights awaits, as Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea march on undefeated in all competitions. A tricky test against Brighton at the weekend saw Niamh Charles return to action, and the Blues took a 4-2 victory against the Kirby-less Seagulls. Tonight, FC Twente visit southwest London for the fifth of six WCL group stage fixtures.

The Blues have already qualified for the quarter-finals of European competition with four wins out of four in Group B, including a 3-1 victory against the Dutch champions back in October with Aggie Beever-Jones, Maika Hamano, and Guro Reiten on the scoresheet. Our opponents have only won a single match out of four so far.

"We just want to keep going and keep winning," Bompastor told the media in her pre-match press conference. "It's part of our mentality. It's part of the DNA of the club.

"Every game is really important. We want to keep our good dynamic, our good results and the main goal in this group is for us to stay in first place at the top of the table."

Sandy Baltimore will be unavailable for selection, as she has a knee injury that needs to be assessed. All other healthy players are expected to be available, including Academy player Lola Brown.

HOW TO WATCH

This match will be streamed worldwide on the DAZN app and website.

As always, the CFCW X/Twitter page will provide updates.

LINE-UPS

CHE: Musovic, Perisset, Bright (c), Bjorn, Charles, Cuthbert, Jean-Francois, Hamano, Ramirez, Macario, Beever-Jones.

Subs: Hampton, Cox, Bronze, Lawrence, Kaptein, Nusken, Brown, Reiten, Rytting Kaneryd.

TWE: Clark, Vliek, Knol, Carleer, Tuin, van Dooren, van Ginkel (c), Peddermors, Hulst, Ravensbergen, van Dijk.

Subs: de Jong, Vissers, Everaerts, Diekman, Andradottir, te Brake, Proost, Verdaasdonk, Galic, van der Vegt, Ivens.

MATCH EVENTS

1' KICKOFF in Kingsmeadow!

3' CHELSEA GOALLLL!!!!! Lovely exchange between Macario and Ramirez, and the American is able to volley a deflected shot over the keeper. 1-0!

11' A close-range Cuthbert shot is off-target.

15' Twente press high, and Ravensbergen gets a shot off that is saved by Musovic.

27' PENALTY to Twente, after Maika Hamano makes a poor tackle and earns herself a yellow in the process...

28' GOAL, FC Twente. Musovic goes the right way, but van Dooren powers the kick past her. 1-1.

30' GOOOALL!!! Jean-Francois gets us back in front in quick order, slicing through the defence before her shot is deflected for a goal. 2-1!

35' GOOALL!!! A long-range shot from Mayra Ramirez finds the back of the net!!

38' GOAL!! CHELSEA AGAIN!!!! Cuthbert jumps on a slow back pass from the keeper, her shot is deflected and flies into the goal! Marked as an own goal to Knol for now...

43' CHE sub: Kaptein on for Jean-Francois (ankle injury).

HALFTIME: Aaaand breathe! Twente did themselves no favours with poor back passes, and Chelsea are able to mount a sizable lead after conceding a silly penalty.

CHE subs: Reiten for Ramirez, Nusken for Bjorn.

46' Off and running for the second half at Stamford Bridge.

47' GOALLLL number five!! Nusken, who has been on the field for all of 90 seconds, glances a delivery from Hamano past the Twente keeper.

58' Hamano tries to test Clarke, but no fifth goal emerges (yet?)

62' TWE subs: Everaerts for Vliek, te Brake for van Ginkel, Ivens for van Dijk.

62' CHE subs: Brown for Macario, Lawrence for Charles.

64' Twente corner.

70' Reiten sees a shot blocked!

78' Another Twente corner is no trouble for Zecira Musovic.

86' GOALLLLL!!!! Eve Perisset, on the volley!!! We've got six!

FINAL SCORE: Chelsea 6, Twente 1! The visitors had a glimmer of hope with their penalty equaliser, but the Blues quickly put their ship right and were in commanding lead at halftime. Six goals tonight, scored by six different squad members, and we remain top of Group B. COYB!

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/sonia-bompastor-no-let-up-from-the-blues-against-fc-twente

https://preview.redd.it/mn692ai1w46e1.png?width=680&format=png&auto=webp&s=d42c601716c31e8d2c9ab75ec6595731189f97ec

Today marks 8 years since we signed Erin (2016 was that long ago 😵‍💫)

What’s your favorite moment featuring our wee Scot? Mine is a goal against a certain team from Spain 👏🏾

#Welcome to the /r/chelsealadiesfc match thread for our WSL fixture, at home to Brighton

Date: 8th December 2024

KO: 14:00 GMT

Competition: Women's Super League

Venue: Kingsmeadow

#MATCH PREVIEW

It seems like a long time ago since we last saw Chelsea in action - although it has only been two weeks.

In that time there has been an international break, which thankfully the Blues in action were able to come through with no injuries. For those who need reminding, our last fixture before the break had seen us beat Man United 1-0 at Kingsmeadow, to make it twelve wins from twelve for Sonia Bompastor's Chelsea - and see us move a commanding five points clear at the top of the WSL.

November had also seen us secure passage into the quarter-finals of the Champions League - although the top seed is yet to be determined.

It is a tricky fixture we return to, in our first of four games in December. Brighton have been the breakout team of the WSL thus far this season, and ahead of kick-off sit third in the league - ahead of both Arsenal and Man United.

The Seagulls had a statement summer in the market, with acquisitions including Nikita Parris - and a Chelsea legend, Fran Kirby, who joined the South Coast side following the end of her contract at Chelsea.

Sunday's game could see an emotional reunion at a ground where Kirby has had so much success - although the forward did miss the second fixture of England's international break with a calf injury, so is a doubt for this one.

The other major signing for Brighton was their new manager Dario Vidosic, who has revolutionised their style of play to a possession-based, build-from-the-back approach - and gained many admirers in the process. This does leave them vulnerable to an extent, however - and they were exposed to the tune of a 5-0 shellacking against Arsenal back in November, although that result remains an anomaly in their otherwise impressive season.

There are no new injury concerns for Chelsea, who remain without our long-term absentees, but are otherwise fit and firing for a challenging start to the month.

#HOW TO FOLLOW

The game will be broadcast live for free on the WSL YouTube channel worldwide.

As always, the CFCW Twitter account will provide live updates.

#LINE UPS:

Chelsea: Hampton, Lawrence, Bright (C), Bjorn, Bronze, Cuthbert, Nusken, Reiten, Kaptein, Kaneryd, Beever-Jones (Subs: Musovic, Charles, Bernabe, Macario, Perisset, Hamano, Jean-Francois, Mpome, Ramirez)

Brighton: Baggaley, Pattison, Bergsvand, Losada, Bremer, Parris, Cankovic, Seike, Carabali, Olislagers, McLauchlan (Subs: Loeck, Rayner, Bruna, Milner, Heron, Agyemang, Pegram, Balmer, Johnson)

#MATCH EVENTS

KICK OFF! Nikita Parris gets things rolling

2' - Reiten wins a corner, which Cuthbert takes - not sure who got their head on it, but it was off target

4' - Brighton play it out from the back... for another Chelsea corner, and it flashes across goal! So close

8' - Brighton so nearly take the lead!! Nusken is robbed by Cankovic in her own area, and Hampton does brilliantly to make a save from Parris. Cankovic gets on the rebound, but Nusken is thankfully back herself to make a goal line clearance. Drama!

9' - Chelsea on the break, but Reiten can't beat Baggaley! End to end stuff

11' - Another Chelsea break, but JRK cannot quite find the final ball. Goals in this...

13' - Ball sits up for Bronze, her nice-looking volley deflected for another corner

18' - Brighton play a risky game, and Chelsea keep having possession in dangerous positions... no goals yet though

19' - Cuthbert booked for a late challenge

20' - Brighton in, but Parris misses the target!

25' - So close!! ABJ works it into JRK, and her shot is deflected just wide

29' - Another goal line clearance, Chelsea just about scrambling away Brighton's effort, how has this game not had a goal!!

35' - JRK clear through but blazes over, my god!!

36' - *GOOOOOOOOALLLLLLL!!! FINALLY. Brighton as expected, are architects of their own downfall. Cankovic caught playing out, Nusken jumps on it (in a reversal of the earlier situation) and it's Chelsea 1-0 Brighton!

37' - Great save!! Hampton keeps Chelsea in front, keeping out Sieke

40' - *GOOOOOOOOALLLLLLL!!! Oh Brighton. Caught playing out again. Beever-Jones advances on goal, initially hits the post, but keeps the ball - and dribbles it over the line. Chelsea 2-0 Brighton!

44' - Brighton back in it! Not the former Chelsea player we thought may haunt us. Parris works it to Cankovic, who curls home a great strike, now Chelsea 2-1 Brighton.

45' - This is a thoroughly silly game.

45' - JRK lobs it over Baggaley, but the goal is disallowed as the Swede was offside

HALF TIME! Chelsea lead, but that doesn't tell the whole story, in a very entertaining and slightly barmy 45 minutes. There are more goals in this, and it still seems up for grabs...

SECOND HALF!

And SUBSTITUTIONS for both teams! Agyemang on for Bremer, and for Chelsea, Niamh Charles makes her return to a huge ovation, replacing Lawrence, and Macario on for Kaptein

50' - the goal opens up for Seike, and another big save from Hampton with her feet

51' - GOOOOOOOOALLLLLLL!!! And it's another ridiculous one! Brilliant cross from deep from Macario, who finds the onrushing Bronze. Baggaley makes the save, but it bounces back in off of JRK? Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

66' - Agyemang scyches down JRK, which somehow isn't a free kick. Chelsea get a corner, but can't force a fourth

67' - Another smart stop from Hampton, this time from Balmer

71' - GOAL! Brighton back in it again. Hampton has been outstanding this afternoon, but is to blame for this one... she does a Brighton in giving the ball away when playing out, and Seike makes her pay. *Chelsea 3-2 Brighton and we are set for a nervy last 20 minutes...

71' - SUBSTITUTION! Bompastor responds by bringing on Ramirez for Rytting Kaneryd

75' - Ramirez making a difference, winning a free kick in a dangerous area

76' - Ball can only be cleared for a Chelsea corner... and Ramirez hits the post with a header!

78' - Lovely passing from Chelsea, but Macario can't quite find the target

80' - A much-needed breather, as Losada receives some treatment on the pitch

84' - Reiten nearly in, but ball snatched off her at the last!

84' - Oh my word. Seike clean in, Hampton once again with the save from close range

85' - More desperate defending!! Chelsea just about scramble it clear from the subsequent corner

89' - Ramirez storms in behind the Brighton defence, but can't quite fashion an opportunity

90' - Four minutes to be added on

90+1' - GOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLL!! That was SO needed! Nusken nods in from a corner, and surely now the points are secure... Chelsea 4-2 Brighton

90+6' - It's over! Thank god...

#Final score: Chelsea 4-2 Brighton

#Up the Chels!