A tale of two halves as Chelsea overcome Spurs in north London

Tottenham’s early control gave way to Chelsea’s efficiency in a London derby decided by moments around half-time

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Tottenham and Chelsea came into this London derby separated by just a single point in the table. A narrow margin that would have seemed almost unthinkable 12 months ago, when the two sides finished the WSL season 40 points apart. The gap closed within a single season is one of the biggest ever – and the current campaign is still ongoing. The context, however, went far beyond the numbers. Chelsea arrived in North London in the middle of a difficult spell, still reeling from two heavy defeats against Arsenal and Manchester City. These results had raised questions not only about form, but also about confidence and tactics, with manager Sonia Bompastor switching from the back-three formations she has employed lately to a 4-3-3.

For Tottenham, the situation was very different. With a six-point cushion over sixth place and little external pressure on the result, this was a game they could afford to lose, at least on paper. Yet this was the club's first league match of the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a London derby, and an opportunity to measure themselves against one of the WSL heavyweights – potentially breaking into the top four, even temporarily.

This was a moment that required Tottenham to rise to the occasion and, in the opening phases of the match, that is exactly what they did.

Spurs’ rewardless first-half

With Drew Spence suspended, Martin Ho was forced into at least one change in midfield, but Tottenham’s response suggested a broader, opponent-specific plan rather than a simple like-for-like replacement. Signe Gaupset stepped into the double pivot alongside Eveliina Summanen, while Julie Blakstad came in on the left wing, a selection that subtly reshaped Spurs’ usual attacking structure.

Unlike Tottenham’s more inverted wide options, Blakstad operates as a true touchline player. She is comfortable covering the entire flank, more disciplined out of possession than a winger and less inclined to drift inside. Her inclusion provided natural balance on the left, compensating for Gaupset’s vertical movements and allowing Spurs to remain compact without sacrificing width.