The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Chelsea Beat Manchester City 1-0 to Go Top of the WSL
By Megan McCarthy
LONDON, England — Chelsea moved one point ahead of champions Manchester City at the top of the Women’s Super League with a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, handing City their first defeat of the season.
Sandy Baltimore scored the only goal in first-half stoppage time, producing a fierce finish from just inside the box in the 45th minute plus four. Ellie Carpenter provided the assist as Chelsea converted their first-half superiority into a lead.
Chelsea had created several opportunities before the breakthrough. Carpenter, Melvine Malard and Alyssa Thompson all went close as the home side had the better of the opening half. The period also brought injury concerns for Chelsea, with Malard and Kadeisha Buchanan both limping off.
Baltimore did not return for the second half after being taken off at halftime, but Chelsea carried their 1-0 advantage into a more competitive second period.
Manchester City had their best opportunity to equalize in the 64th minute. Khadija Shaw flicked the ball over Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, leaving Lauren Hemp with a chance from a yard out with the goal empty, but Hemp missed.
City’s task became more difficult in the 75th minute when goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita was shown a straight red card for a professional foul. Yamashita had rushed out, missed her kick and brought down Thompson.
Chelsea nearly added a second from the resulting set piece. Aggie Beever-Jones struck the bar with the free-kick in the 79th minute, but the score remained 1-0.
Chelsea’s first-half goal ultimately proved enough. Baltimore’s stoppage-time finish separated the teams after Carpenter’s assist, while the home side held City scoreless through the second half despite the visitors’ major opportunity in the 64th minute.
According to Sky Sports, the result moved Chelsea one point ahead of Manchester City at the top of the WSL and inflicted City’s first loss of the season. Third-placed London City Lionesses could move within four points of the summit if they beat Arsenal on Sunday.
Megan McCarthy
Soccer, The Library Media
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