Bristol City Women 0-3 Chelsea Women
Chelsea Women start their four-week domestic winter break three points clear at the top of the table after Arsenal’s surprising slip against Spurs.
Emma Hayes’ team that beat Bristol City 3-0 saw keeper Hannah Hampton finally make her debut, as the manager had promised.
A month ago I asked Hayes how Hampton could break into a team with two such experienced international goalies ahead of her, and was promptly corrected. “We actually have three internationals,” she said, pointing out that Hampton deputises for Mary Earps in the England goal, and adding that the 23-year-old would definitely play her first game for Chelsea before Christmas.
True to her word, Hayes picked Hampton to face lowly Bristol, and the clean sheet that she kept means she’s now highly likely to pip Ann-Katrin Berger in the goalkeeping pecking order by the summer, just behind Zecira Musovic.
Hampton is the future, and part of Hayes’ legacy when she leaves Chelsea to take on managing the USA team in early summer is ensuring there’s a good blend of young and experienced players to keep the blue flag flying high.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s men steadied the wobbly ship with victory over lowly Sheffield United last weekend, and now face Wolves and Palace either side of Christmas.
A vital 2-0 win at the Bridge saw both goals coming in the second half after a forgettable first 45 minutes, and represents yet another step towards legend status for the ever-improving Cole Palmer.
As any Chelsea fan will now tell you, Palmer is the club’s best player, and best prospect in the seasons ahead. How Manchester City let him go is still a mystery, especially as their form has recently been patchy, but their loss is the Blues’ gain, and he is showing on a weekly basic why Mauricio Pochettino calls him his playmaker.
“The contribution of Cole Palmer, from day one, has been massive,” said the gaffer after the 21-year-old linked up beautifully with Raheem Sterling to score the first, then crossed for Nico Jackson to pot the second. Both goals went to nail-biting VAR reviews.
Waiting in the wings, and hoping to finally make his debut for Chelsea, is Chris Nkunku, the French striker signed in the summer, who has missed nearly half a year after suffering a pre-season knee injury.
He’ll be featuring in the festive fixtures, which include the clash with Wolves at Molineux, controversially fixed for Christmas Eve, when everyone should really be at home waiting for Santa.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
