“Within touching distance”: why Chelsea’s draw with “defiant” Man City was crucial in WSL title race – tactical analysis

The clash between the WSL’s two title contenders was always going to be a special game, and Manchester City Women and Chelsea Women did not disappoint, with football of the highest quality on show at the Academy Stadium, and there were some interesting tactical ideas to pick out. In this tactical analysis, we will look at Chelsea’s attack and defence, providing analysis of the difference in their first and second half play, as well as Manchester City’s pressing around the pitch, and how it affected the game.

Lineups

Manchester City Women made just one change from the team that defeated Aston Villa 8-0 in the Women’s FA Cup last weekend, with Sam Mewis coming in for Laura Coombs, who took the USA international’s place on the bench. With Gemma Bonner having departed for NWSL side Racing Louisville and England captain Steph Houghton still out injured, left-back Alex Greenwood continued in central defence, partnering USA defender Abby Dahlkemper, who joined the club in January. The now familiar front three of former Everton Women forward Chloe Kelly, Ellen White and Lauren Hemp started together once again.

Chelsea Women, meanwhile, made eight changes from their FA Cup hammering of Women’s Championship side London City Lionesses, with many of their first-team players returning after being rested. Jess Carter moved from centre-back to right-back, with Maren Mjelde out for the rest of the season, whilst captain and centre-back Magdalena Eriksson, who left the pitch injured at the weekend, also missed this game. Other than Carter, only Melanie Leupolz and Erin Cuthbert kept their places, with goalkeeper Carly Telford, defenders Hannah Blundell and Jorja Fox, and midfielders Niamh Charles (formerly of Liverpool Women) and Drew Spence all moving to the bench. Wales midfielder Sophie Ingle played alongside Millie Bright in defence, filling in for Eriksson, whilst Jonna Andersson, Ji So-yun, Fran Kirby, Pernille Harder and Sam Kerr also came in.