Lauren James leads the way for Chelsea Women: 3 takeaways from league win over Spurs

Emma Hayes must figure out how to limit lulls during a game

For some reason, CFC now loves 3-2 scorelines. Against clubs that are far inferior in quality, Emma Hayes’ side has continued to let the opposition breathe some hope toward the end of the game. For a team with Millie Bright, and Kadeisha Buchanan in the middle of the defense, there should be no excuses for moments in time where the Blues choose to put their foot off the gas.

Against teams like Spurs, Chelsea is able to take a step back towards the end of the match, but when it comes Champions League time, Chelsea Women has no time to relax with European opposition possessing the ability to punish anybody. It was just poor defending from a side that shut out a talented Paris-Saint Germain attack to conclude the 2022 calendar year.

From failing a poor touch by Buchanan in the first half that resulted in a goal to some questionable defending around the 18-yard box to finish out the match, there were many moments that left Hayes scratching her head. Last season, CFC only let in two goals in the final five minutes of a match in all competitions against Manchester City and Aston Villa, but so far during this campaign, the Blues have let in four.

After Reiten’s goal to extend the Blues’ lead to two, Tottenham had no way back, but it is still not acceptable to let your guard down. For Hayes, this display at Brisbane Road was anything but perfection, and given the way she seeks excellence, this team will be locked in for all 90 minutes in a win or go home contest against the Irons in the Conti Cup.