Sloppy Chelsea sneak another win

Chelsea Women 1-0 Leicester City Women

Manchester United Men 2-1 Chelsea Men

Lincoln City Men 1-2 Chelsea Men

We were sloppy. That was the frank conclusion of captain Millie Bright after a fragile 1-0 win at Kingsmeadow in the early autumn sun, with the Blues simply unable to get the second goal which would have steadied the nerves.

Leicester City were the visitors. On paper it was a relatively straightforward fixture for Chelsea, but – as Foxes' interim manager Rick Passmoor agreed – there really are no easy games in the Women's Super League any longer.

By closing down Chelsea attacks at every opportunity, keeping a high press and having a tall, nimble goalie in Janina Leitzig, who pulled off a string of excellent saves, Leicester more than held their own, and could have snatched a point right at the death.

Aggie Beever-Jones, who manager Sonia Bompastor still insists is best used as a No10, scored yet again after seven minutes after Erin Cuthbert had teed her up with a cheeky backheel.

But if the crowd of nearly 4,000 at Kingsmeadow thought the floodgates would then open, they were wrong. Leicester took advantage of Chelsea's slightly unfamiliar three-at-the-back formation (Bright, Nathalie Bjorn and debutante Veerle Buurman) to deny the Blues clear opportunities by some smart defending and rapid breakaway attacks.

So threatening did they look that Bompastor brought in new American whippet Alyssa Thompson and Maika Hamano at halftime to add pace. Then Sam Kerr came off the bench to join the attack.

But try as they might, the Blues couldn't find a second goal, with the Foxes almost nicking a point in stoppage time when Rosella Ayane – a one-time Chelsea youth player – fired a howitzer of a shot which Hannah Hampton fingertipped on to the crossbar.

"The performance was not great; we want to win in a more comfortable way," conceded Bompastor, concurring with her captain's 'sloppy' description of play.

But these are still early days, with Chelsea sitting pretty at the top of the table after United and Arsenal played out a goalless draw. Thompson's speed is simply astonishing. Few defenders can keep up with her. Although used on the left against Leicester, she may transfer to the right wing, where her dazzling acceleration will challenge any opponent.

Buurman made a solid start, and will be pleased to have contributed to a clean sheet. Next up for Chelsea Women, an away jaunt to West Ham.

So threatening did they look that Bompastor brought in new American whippet Alyssa Thompson and Maika Hamano at halftime to add pace. Then Sam Kerr came off the bench to join the attack.

But try as they might, the Blues couldn't find a second goal, with the Foxes almost nicking a point in stoppage time when Rosella Ayane – a one-time Chelsea youth player – fired a howitzer of a shot which Hannah Hampton fingertipped on to the crossbar.

"The performance was not great; we want to win in a more comfortable way," conceded Bompastor, concurring with her captain's 'sloppy' description of play.

But these are still early days, with Chelsea sitting pretty at the top of the table after United and Arsenal played out a goalless draw. Thompson's speed is simply astonishing. Few defenders can keep up with her. Although used on the left against Leicester, she may transfer to the right wing, where her dazzling acceleration will challenge any opponent.

Buurman made a solid start, and will be pleased to have contributed to a clean sheet. Next up for Chelsea Women, an away jaunt to West Ham.

Defeat at Old Trafford in the rain

Meanwhile Chelsea's men lost to Man United at Old Trafford in drenching rain – a 2-1 defeat against a side low in confidence, aided by the sending-off of keeper Robert Sanchez after five minutes for a crazy foul on Bryan Mbeumo.

Fernandes and Casemiro scored for United before Trevoh Chalobah pulled one back after the Reds were also reduced to 10 men.

Carabao Cup comeback

Gaffer Enzo Maresca is a glass-half-full kind of guy, and could only see positives after Chelsea's wobbly midweek Carabao Cup visit to Lincoln City – a top-three League One side.

A goal behind to the home team by halftime, to the joy of 10,000 locals, he had to reassess his approach at the interval.

Rob Street had put Lincoln ahead three minutes before the break after the Imps stole possession deep in Chelsea's half. But a half-volley from Ty George and a first strike from mazy Argentinian Facundo Buonanotte quickly restored order.

It was a game which saw new signing Alejandro Garnacho make a starting appearance, with both he and Buonanotte hoping to see further action in the coming week at the Bridge.

"In the second half we changed tactically, and we won. So I'm happy," said Maresca.