Charlie Grace

Fri 5 September 2025 22:23, UK

Chelsea Women began their title defence with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in their opening Women’s Super League (WSL) at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea won the 2024/25 title without losing a game, and only three draws stood between Sonia Bompastor’s side and a perfect season.

The French manager took over from Chelsea legend Emma Haynes who left her role at Stamford Bridge to take up a role with the United States Women’s team.

Bompastor came with a great pedigree from Lyon where she won three Division One Feminine titles, and she has continued that form in England.

Imperious Chelsea break record

It was a record breaking night for Chelsea, who extended their unbeaten WSL run from May 2024, to 26 games.

Bompastor also became the quickest WSL manager to 20 wins, taking the record from ex-Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall.

Bompastor has won her 20 games at blistering pace in the space of 23 games, whereas Eidevall took 25 games to reach the goal.

It was a remarkable debut season for Bompastor, who comfortably guided Chelsea to a treble in imperious fashion, winning the WSL, FA Women’s Cup and FA Women’s League Cup.

Chelsea will take some beating in WSL this season

Football Insider verdict

Chelsea responded to winning an unbeaten domestic treble by signing Angel City forward Alyssa Thompson for £1m.

They also added Australian international Ellie Carpenter to a squad that welcomed previous world record transfer, Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for just shy of £900k.

The rest of the WSL competition responded firmly, with newly promoted London City Lionesses announcing the world record signing of Grace Geyoro from PSG for £1.43m.

2024/25 title rivals Arsenal, signed Olivia Smith for a then-world record fee of £1m from Liverpool in a bid of their own to close the gap to Chelsea.

Nonetheless, Chelsea are still at their imperious best, and it will take some effort to topple Bompastor’s side from the WSL pinnacle.