Chelsea Women faced a challenging match against Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League at the Etihad Stadium on February 1, 2026. Expectations were high for Chelsea, who had dominated the previous season by securing every domestic title without a single loss. However, the team found themselves outplayed by a City squad eager to avenge their earlier defeats.
The match began with City seizing the initiative, with Kerolin scoring early on thanks to a fortunate series of rebounds that caught Chelsea defenders off-guard. Hannah Hampton, Chelsea’s goalkeeper, was left with little chance to react.
As the match progressed, Bunny Shaw added a second goal for City, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Chelsea, showcasing the visitors’ determination to counter the threat posed by Chelsea, who had previously gotten the better of them in earlier meetings this season.
Chelsea attempted to rally and push back for a comeback reminiscent of their male counterparts just a day prior. However, Manchester City quickly retaliated when Lauren Hemp’s effort led to a third goal, further extending their lead just after halftime.
Kerolin continued to shine by completing her hat-trick, cementing her place as a standout player in the encounter. Yet, her substitution left City vulnerable for a brief moment, allowing Chelsea’s Alyssa Thompson to score, momentarily igniting hope for the visitors.
However, that flicker of optimism was extinguished quickly when Chelsea struggled with corner kick defense, allowing Vivianne Miedema to find the net for City’s fifth goal.
Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea’s manager, has built a winning squad, but the current season’s performance raises concerns. While her past achievements grant her some leeway, the uncharacteristic display in this match is a wake-up call for the team. The high standards established by Chelsea Women are a double-edged sword, making any defeat feel monumental. The focus now will be on regrouping and addressing the apparent gaps in their game as the season continues.