#jess fleming

City were the livelier side throughout the first half but they matched that energy with being equally messy at the back end, and Chelsea took no qualms in capitalising. Chelsea were the definition of clinical finishing today. I mean, it was a day where Kerr & Kirby barely had a foot in the game (aside from the goals they scored of course), and City still managed to let the scoreline get so bad.

Then the game was well and truly over in the opening moments of the second half, and the City players wandered around looking lost for the remainder of the time. Whenever the camera zoomed into the expressions of the City girls, you couldn’t help but feel for them because they just looked so disillusioned. Individually, they’re really quality players and certified internationals who don’t deserve to be languishing at fourth bottom of the table. And you can tell they’re quality; they way they passed through Chelsea’s midfield in the first half was like a knife slicing through butter at times. 

But after getting pummelled a total of 9-0 to two teams they’re supposed to be challenging for the title with, this has to be the writing on the wall for Gareth Taylor. I don’t even want him to continue at City even if it means another easy win in the return fixture because he’s having good players playing bad football.

Ellen White was literally missing the entire game, how can you have an out-and-out number 9 playing up top without a plan or the players around her to get her some kind of service? Lauren Hemp tried her best but she’s not the type to send in crosses and would rather take on defenders herself all the way to goal, same goes for Jess Park, so that just leaves White stranded in the middle.

Anyway, Chelsea were great. That’s the way to win a game, even if you’re not the most switched on in some parts of it. Even though City were knocking on the door in the first half, Chelsea’s defence (entire back three, keeper, and even Cuthbert that dug deep to help out) looked secure in almost everything they did. Making sure aerial balls were headed away, getting in between strikers and the goal to put them off, positioning better. The only one where their defence got split clear and open was when Weir got through 1v1 with Berger, but even that was saved brilliantly.

This is where Arsenal falls short in comparison, even if both sides may be closely matched in offensive power. You can tell that the Chelsea backline benefit greatly from having strong, experienced leaders in the defence like Bright and Eriksson, whereas Arsenal still seem unsure when they need to defend as a unit. For example, Leah Williamson has been great at cutting out threaded passes or muscling an opponent off the ball, but that’s largely down to individual decision making and prowess. When facing a counter or an onslaught of attackers and a variety of balls into the box that are threatening, the Arsenal defence looks... uncoordinated. 

Overall:

Chelsea — 8/10

Man City — 4.5/10

Emma Hayes — 6.5/10 (why’d she take so long to take out Berger when she clearly looked in pain?) 

Gareth Taylor — 0/10