Chelsea began their 2025–26 Women’s Super League title defense with a solid 2–1 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, buoyed by debutant Ellie Carpenter’s pinpoint assist and Maika Hamano’s composed finish—extending the club’s domestic unbeaten run to 26 games.
An Immediate Statement from New Signings
here was a glimmer of something familiar at Stamford Bridge on opening night—Chelsea, battling the chilly September evening, delivered another slice of business-as-usual dominance. The Women’s Super League champions kicked off their title defense in fitting fashion: a narrow 2–1 win over Manchester City that felt more like reassurance than surprise. What elevated it, though, was the electric introduction of new faces who slotted into the machine like they’d always been part of the starting XI.
The spark came from Ellie Carpenter, making her competitive debut after signing from Lyon. Barely thirty minutes into the game, she burst past Alex Greenwood down the right flank and delivered a delicious low cross. Aggie Beever‑Jones, perfectly timed to the pass, clipped it home for the opener—her first of the season on her home turf. It was more than a goal; it was a statement.
'I know Ellie by heart, and I'm not really surprised about her Chelsea debut and her debut in the league
Sonia Bompastor
City, under new manager Andrée Jeglertz, responded sharply. For much of the second half, they dominated possession and territory, creating clear-cut chances through Bunny Shaw, Yui Hasegawa, and Alex Greenwood—whose curling free‑kick rattled the crossbar and then some. But Chelsea’s new goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, was twice spectacular, denying Shaw and rallying the backline to stand firm.
Just when it looked like City might draw level, Maika Hamano, off the bench and barely into her stride, found her moment. Receiving a pinpoint pass from Wieke Kaptein, she drilled home past Ayaka Yamashita in the 64th minute. It was a striker’s instinct delivered with such composure it looked rehearsed.
City did force a scare with a 70th-minute twist—Niamh Charles headed an Alex Greenwood delivery into her own net, offering City a lifeline. The final quarter was as tense as it gets, but Chelsea’s defensive resilience held—ending on a note of gritty control despite late injuries to Greenwood and Lily Murphy.
When we analyse the game after, there are lots of things we can bring with us that shows we're challenging Chelsea during the whole game.
There's a lot of things, especially the high press, we did that in the second half many times.
ANDREE JEGLERTZ
Why It Matters
- Immediate Return on Recruitment: Carpenter and Hamano didn’t just join the squad—they delivered decisive contributions. In a squad already brimming with talent, their seamless adaptation underscores how sharply Chelsea’s recruitment team has targeted need and personality.
- Unbroken Rhythm of Success: The 2–1 victory stretched Chelsea’s unbeaten domestic run to 26 WSL matches. It’s not just a stat—it’s a mood, a continual reminder of their ironclad formula.
- Depth That Delivers: While Sam Kerr sat on the bench—even featuring for the first time since her long-term injury—the team’s performance didn’t skip a beat. With players like Hamano ready to hit the ground running, Chelsea’s depth looks primed for the kind of grind that lies ahead: title races, cup runs, and European nights.