Chelsea’s Women’s Super League juggernaut rolled on at Kingsmeadow on October 12, 2025, as the reigning champions edged Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in a tense London derby. The victory, secured by a thunderous Keira Walsh strike in the second half, not only delivered Chelsea’s first win in three games but also extended their unbeaten league run to a staggering 31 matches—matching the second-longest streak in WSL history.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Blues haven’t been at their most dazzling in recent weeks. Sonia Bompastor’s side had been held to frustrating draws by Manchester United and Twente, and their narrow 1-0 win over Leicester before that did little to quiet murmurs about a lack of attacking bite. Yet, as champions so often do, Chelsea have found ways to grind out results, even when the style points are lacking.
Against Spurs, Chelsea dominated from the outset. The home crowd watched as club record signing Alyssa Thompson flashed an early effort wide, and Nathalie Bjorn nodded just off target from one of 13 first-half corners. Despite racking up 15 shots before halftime and controlling 67% possession, Bompastor’s side just couldn’t find that killer touch. Their best chance came when Wieke Kaptein, unmarked in front of goal, failed to convert Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s cross—a miss that summed up Chelsea’s recent struggles in the final third.
The frustration only mounted as the second half began. Thompson forced Spurs’ Dutch keeper Lize Kop into a sharp save, while Ellie Carpenter’s long-range effort sailed inches over the bar. Chelsea’s relentless pressure paid off at last in the 67th minute, when Keira Walsh—whose last WSL goal came back in November 2021—let fly from 25 yards. Her right-footed drive zipped past Kop and nestled into the bottom corner, finally breaking the deadlock after 23 Chelsea attempts.
"Sometimes all you need is to do enough to win. And that is exactly what Chelsea did here," wrote BBC Sport, capturing the mood around Kingsmeadow. Walsh’s goal was her first for the club, and it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time. The relief was palpable, both on the pitch and in the stands, as the Blues moved to 16 points from six matches—four clear of Spurs at the top of the table.
But the win, while vital, also shone a light on Chelsea’s ongoing attacking woes. The Blues attempted 27 shots in total, but just four were on target. Their conversion rate has been a concern all season, with wasted chances and a lack of a true focal point up front. The starting XI has changed for every game so far, and while Aggie Beever-Jones has chipped in with four goals in six appearances, injuries to star forwards have blunted their edge. Sam Kerr, back in the squad after a grueling 22-month recovery from a torn ACL, is yet to start a match, while Mayra Ramírez remains sidelined until the new year.
"Chelsea’s recent form has been far from convincing. But they are still grinding out results," ESPN observed. The statistics tell the story: 66% possession, 67 touches in Tottenham’s box (a season high), and 152 successful passes into the final third. Yet, for all their dominance, the Blues’ efficiency in front of goal remains a work in progress. Their 16 corners—13 in the first half alone—yielded little threat, and their attacking frustrations have only been compounded by consistent squad rotation.
Still, Chelsea’s resilience is undeniable. Last season, 10 of their 19 league wins came by a single goal, and this year’s campaign is following a similar script. The Blues are now unbeaten in 31 WSL matches, matching Manchester City’s run from May 2015 to May 2017. With fixtures against London City Lionesses, Arsenal, and Liverpool on the horizon, Bompastor’s side will be eyeing their own all-time record of 33 games unbeaten.
There was another reason for Chelsea fans to cheer: the late return of Lucy Bronze. The experienced England defender made her first appearance since the Euro 2025 final, where she revealed she’d played the entire tournament with a fractured leg. Her cameo helped close out the win and brought a welcome boost to a squad that’s had its share of injury setbacks.
For Tottenham, the defeat was a harsh lesson in the fine margins that separate the league’s elite from the chasing pack. Yet, there’s no denying the progress made under new manager Martin Ho. Spurs supporters, who watched their team finish 11th last season with just five wins, have seen a dramatic transformation. With four victories in their first six games and a neutral goal difference, Tottenham sit fourth in the table—already just one win shy of last year’s total.
The improvement was evident at Kingsmeadow. Spurs defended with grit and discipline, registering 30 tackles and 44 clearances. Lize Kop was outstanding between the sticks, making several high-quality saves to keep the deficit to a single goal. Tottenham’s structure and resilience under Ho have been a revelation, especially considering they conceded 44 goals last season—the second-worst defensive record in the league.
However, Spurs’ progress remains largely confined to their defensive half. They struggled to make an impact going forward, mustering just two shots on target and creating only one big chance. Much of their passing was lateral or backwards, reflecting a cautious approach that limited their attacking threat. While there were flashes of pressing intent, their moves often fizzled out before troubling Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton.
"Restricting Chelsea to minimal chances is a significant feat for a team still adjusting to Ho and his tactics," ESPN noted. Yet, the gap between the two sides was clear: Chelsea, even when underwhelming, have a knack for seizing big moments, while Spurs are still learning how to turn organization into attacking end product. The next step for Tottenham is to add the ruthlessness and mentality that define title contenders.
Looking ahead, Chelsea will return to Champions League action on October 15, hosting Paris FC at Stamford Bridge. Bompastor’s team will be eager to claim their first European win of the campaign and build on the momentum from this hard-fought derby triumph. Tottenham, meanwhile, will regroup for their Women’s League Cup Group E clash with Birmingham City on October 19—a chance to continue their upward trajectory under Ho.
At Kingsmeadow, Chelsea showed once again why they’re the team to beat in the WSL. It wasn’t pretty, but sometimes, that’s exactly what it takes to stay on top.
