Leicester City 1-1 Chelsea: Bompastor´s team fall short of WSL record

Wieke Kaptein grabbed an equaliser for Chelsea as the Blues saw their winning run under Sonia Bompastor come to an end in a 1-1 draw at Leicester City.

Chelsea, coming into Saturday’s clash on the back of a 6-1 victory over FC Twente in the Women’s Champions League, were aiming to become the first team in Women’s Super League history to win their opening 10 matches of a campaign.

The Blues were the overwhelming favourites against a team they had beaten in each of their last six WSL meetings, with Opta’s supercomputer handing Chelsea an 83.1% win probability prior to kick-off.

Yet Leicester had other ideas, and after taking a 20th-minute lead through Missy Goodwin – who came on as an early substitute – the Foxes held Chelsea off, with Guru Reiten hitting the crossbar and Millie Bright wasting a good chance when she lashed over.

The pressure finally told in the 77th minute, though, with Kaptein drilled home from the edge of the area.

A rocket from Wieke Kaptein! #BarclaysWSL @ChelseaFCW pic.twitter.com/eFRrGqLI4U

— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) December 14, 2024

Mayra Ramirez squandered a golden opportunity to complete the turnaround and make WSL history for the Blues in their final league game before the winter break, although her side are six points clear at the top of the standings.

Data Debrief: All good things must come to an end

It has been a sensational start to life for Bompastor at Chelsea, but eventually, the Blues’ winning streak was going to be halted. The shock is it came against one of the WSL’s weakest teams.

Leicester, who moved up to 10th with the draw, had lost each of their last four WSL matches without scoring. Goodwin’s goal ensured the Foxes avoided becoming the sixth team to lose five successive matches to nil in the competition after Yeovil Town (12), Bristol City (seven), Birmingham City (six), Doncaster (five) and Reading (five). They scored with their only shot on target.

Chelsea had opened the scoring in each of their previous nine WSL games under Bompastor, meaning this is the first time the Frenchwoman’s team have trailed in the competition this term.

The Blues, who had 28 shots and accumulated 1.9 expected goals, ultimately preserved their unbeaten record, but the chasing pack – particularly Manchester City, who face struggling Everton on Sunday – have been offered a glimmer of hope.