Chelsea Women 1-1 Manchester City: 3 takeaways from chaotic away draw

Usually, I write these Chelsea review articles right after the game. It did not make sense this time around. Even more than 24 hours after the final whistle blew on Sunday evening, it is hard to comprehend what went down in Manchester this weekend.

It was like one of those escape rooms you do with your mates. The entire process to find the key in order to get out was filled with ebbs and flows. Even with all the clues in the world, it took until the last possible second for the team to find the key. The new away kits may have been stylish, but the play on the pitch was far from it by Chelsea Women.

If you were just watching the game without knowing of the referee’s cautions, you would have believed the Blues were the ones with nine players. Instead, it was the other way around. Emma Hayes’ side failed to deliver the first punch. It was not punished against Tottenham, but against a talented side like City, that was a different story. Some will blame Zecira Musovic, but either way, the entire team looked flat. Hayes made some interesting tactical changes. The English manager shifted Lauren James out to the right flank with Jessie Fleming slotting in as the No. 10 ahead of Sophie Ingle, and a far from match fit Erin Cuthbert.

Just four of the club’s 21 total shots forced the City goalkeeper into making a save. It was the epitome of sloppy, but you can look at it in two ways. One, the west London outfit captured a point in what is arguably always the toughest fixture of the campaign. Two, it is really two points dropped. However you look at it, it is quite clear a robbery was committed by the girls in dark blue on Sunday.

Here are three takeaways from the sixth consecutive opening WSL away match for the west London outfit that did not result in three points.

3 Takeaways from a missed opportunity in Manchester for Chelsea Women

3. So much work to be done in the final third

There was not much joy for the Blues at Joie Stadium. If you have watched this team over the years, this could be up there as one of the most dreadful displays of football.

You can tell that it’s early. There is no need to overreact though, a favorable run of games is on the horizon. Under Hayes, the west Londoners are never firing on all cylinders right out of the gate. It takes time before that time of year hits and the play on the pitch matches the quality of the players.

Given all the new players, Hayes still needs to figure out who works best with who. Credit to City’s defense all game long, but the Blues made its job far too simple. It felt like a team still discovering the ways it can break down an opposition. Once the midfield personnel is correct, the rest should take care of itself. The lack of quality service into the box throughout the contest was evident. It’s something this group has to learn from. We’ll see if they do with numerous inferior opponents coming up.

2. Guro Reiten comes up clutch once again against big opposition

How can you not like that patented “Guro Roar”? The goal on Sunday will not be featured in her season highlight reel, but it still counts in the box score. It was the first time that the Norwegian has converted a chance so far during this young campaign. Many think of Sam Kerr as the player who comes through for the Blues late on. While that’s true, Reiten has been sneaky clutch against some of Europe’s most elite clubs.

Last season, the left winger scored against Lyon, Barcelona, and Arsenal during the run into the title. Add this to that list of critical goals. Fans are going to look back on No. 11 pushing the ball across the line in early October as a massive point if the title race is decided by a narrow margin once again.

1. Jess Carter does her job better than almost anyone

This is another public address announcement for football fans around the world to give English international Jess Carter her flowers. There is nobody better to place alongside Millie Bright than No. 7. With Bright pushing forward during the end of the contest, Carter acted as the last line of defense for the west Londoners. No fan was sweating.

When presented with a one-on-one situation in the second half against her national team teammate Chole Kelly, Carter handled it with class. Against almost anybody else on the team, and the depleted opponent may have found the back of the net. Her strength, and composure in those type of scenarios is remarkable. She completed over 89% of her passes, the highest of any Blue on the day. Her four tackles, and one interceptions led the team. These are the contests where everyone should be thankful No. 7 is donning Chelsea blue. Other than Bright and Reiten at the moment, there is no player that is more of a starting XI lock than Carter.

Chelsea Women return to Kingsmeadow for the first time this season against West Ham United on October 14.