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Chelsea Women 2-1 Spurs: 3 takeaways from Stamford Bridge WSL opener

By Caden Charpentier

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Lauren James of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on October 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Lauren James of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on October 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /
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MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND – JULY 1: Niamh Charles of England during the Women’s International Friendly match between England v Portugal at Stadium mk on July 1, 2023 in Milton Keynes, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

3 takeaways from another Chelsea triumph over Tottenham under Emma Hayes

1. Niamh Charles’ performance should surprise nobody

This is who English international Niamh Charles is. A wing-back with an incredible offensive skillset that helps get the most out of the players around her. Despite the fact that the club gifted James the Player of the Match post-game, Charles was sensational. Some would say she was the best on the pitch.

Lining up on the same side as Guro Reiten, Tottenham struggled to contain the left flank. The Blues’ No. 21 collected seven progressive carries, six more than any other west Londoner. It was the first time in her WSL career that she was able to be involved in at least two goal contributions in a single contest. Her persistence on the wing to get the ball into dangerous areas in the box allowed for Fishel and James’ jobs to be that much more straightforward. It took until April of 2023 last year for Charles to record her first assist in league play. She only needed 28 minutes this time around.

2. Chelsea’s Zecira Musovic produces error, but solid overall in fight for the No. 1 spot

In an interview with Sky Sports this past week, the Swedish international Musovic explained that she is enjoying the competitiveness of the west Londoners‘ goalkeeping unit. She put even more intrigue into the conversation with nine saves in the opener. It was the second time in the last three months that the Swede has managed to collect at least nine stops.

Two of her saves were world class. One was an impressive stop off her line while the other was a show-stopping dive to her left side in the second half. Though she made an error to allow Spurs back in the game, the north London outfit was held scoreless until then due to the Swede’s electric stops. Thomas’ goal should not discard the entire outing for Musovic.

The hope is that she learns from it when provided an opportunity next. You have to give credit where credit it due. The standout from the World Cup demonstrated why she is ready to take hold of the top spot. That does not exclude the fact that there are areas she can improve on.

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