Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s beautiful strike noticed Chelsea to a slim 1-0 win in opposition to Aston Villa as Sonia Bompastor gained her first WSL sport in cost.
It was the primary time in 12 years that Chelsea had walked out with out Emma Hayes within the dugout, however the Blues have been pushed the complete method by a proficient Villa facet, themselves with new supervisor Robert de Pauw.
The hosts might have gone forward early on as Guro Reiten twice fired large. Missy-Bo Kearns had Aston Villa’s greatest probability too, however might solely divert over the crossbar from shut vary.
And with lower than 10 minutes of the half to play, Chelsea took the lead. Rytting Kaneryd chopped previous Paula Tomas and despatched an outstanding curling effort previous Sabrina D’Angelo.
The second half was end-to-end, as Aston Villa rightly sensed the possibility to take a degree away from Kingsmeadow. Hannah Hampton wanted to make two world-class saves in added time too, preserving out headers from Rachel Daly after which, extremely, her reverse quantity D’Angelo to maintain Chelsea’s lead intact.
Whereas the win was not fairly performed within the possession-based type Bompastor prefers, there shall be a aid to have a opening weekend win underneath her belt – particularly after such a end.
Chelsea view: ‘We knew it might be a troublesome sport’
Chelsea supervisor Sonia Bompastor to Sky Sports activities Information: “It was actually tough. I advised everybody I used to be anticipating that as a result of once we have been watching the Aston Villa video games throughout pre-season, that they had actually nice video games and so they’re a very good group.
“Tactically, it was a battle. It’s good because this is why this league is so competitive and the best in the world. This is why I’m going to enjoy it here.
“We scored an awesome aim, we must always possibly have scored two or three, particularly within the first half. It adjustments the sport if you’re in a position to do this.
“I was proud of the players because until the end, they showed a good team spirit and that’s a good thing if we want to go though the season trying to have good results.
Rytting Kaneryd celebrates scoring Chelsea’s winner in opposition to Aston Villa
“She [Rytting Kaneyrd] took a chance and I always encourage my players to shoot on goal because they have a lot of quality and sometimes, they don’t realise that. I’m encouraging them to shoot and it was successful.
“It is at all times vital to win. If you are able to do that and have good content material within the sport, I would be the most pleased. However generally it’s important to give credit score to the opposite group and Aston Villa have been making issues onerous for us.”
Chelsea goalscorer Johanna Rytting Kaneyrd to Sky Sports News: “It is an unbelievable feeling [her goal]. This yr, I have been engaged on my left foot and I shocked myself to be trustworthy. I felt like I received a very good shot and I believe it was fairly stunning.
“It’s a typical first game of the season. It’s moments during the game that are good and others that aren’t as good. We still need to work on some things, but I’m happy we won.”
Aston Villa view: ‘We’ve to take the positives’
Aston Villa supervisor Robert de Pauw to Sky Sports activities Information: “It says a lot that they were taking time in the end… the goalkeeper saved Chelsea in the end, it was very close. They scored the goal in the right moment, we had some big chances, but they’re the lucky champions.
“In the long run, they gave their coronary heart. After each sport, it is vital that you would be able to say you gave all of it. Errors are made by everyone, Chelsea additionally made rather a lot in some moments. Simply give attention to the constructive and take the negatives with us to enhance.
“I still think we can improve 15 per cent or something. There’s also still quality to come in our team, but in the end it’s about the points, so we have to focus on Spurs.
“I am at all times just a little bit extra of a realist than an optimist, however you at all times have to have a look at the positives.”
Aston Villa forward Rachel Daly to Sky Sports News: “We have proven the league what we’re about already. We have had a very good pre-season, there’s rather a lot we have to work on however it’s a very good basis.
Rytting Kaneryd and Aston Villa’s Paula Tomas battle for the ball
“No one wants to lose but to come to the champions’ home ground and have them trying to play the ball in the corner, it’s a good start. Onwards and upwards.
“It is a new supervisor, a brand new type, new gamers have are available in. We have got a giant squad, we need to compete and we confirmed that.
“Sabs could have been the hero. In pre-season, she actually played outfield for some of the games. She did well.”
Bompastor type but to come back as Villa present class
Evaluation from Sky Sports activities’ Charlotte Marsh:
Bompastor is thought for her possession-based, flowing, build-up soccer – however that isn’t fairly what we noticed from Chelsea.
It was extra gung-ho attacking soccer which did have a pleasant component of build-up play. Guro Reiten and Rytting Kaneyrd particularly did nicely, though debutant Sandy Baltimore struggled up in opposition to the skilled Noelle Moritz.
There have been glimpses within the second half that she is perhaps attending to grips with the league, however in the end had little or no affect.
Maybe an irk for Bompastor too shall be the truth that Aston Villa had 52.5 per cent of the ball – greater than the supposedly new possession-based Chelsea. Equal too have been the variety of photographs (13) from either side.
After all, any type – particularly one that could be a departure from over a decade underneath one supervisor – takes time to implement. Bompastor can even have learnt rather a lot about her gamers and the WSL as an entire.
As a result of because the outdated cliche goes, there are not any straightforward video games within the WSL, however Chelsea did face a very spectacular Aston Villa.
They pressed Chelsea out of possession and put them underneath actual stress at occasions. They need to have had a aim for his or her play too, however couldn’t discover their well beyond Hampton.
Beneath De Pauw, Aston Villa confirmed their class and had a willpower that generally lacked final season. They’ve constructed a proficient squad filled with WSL expertise and shall be actual contenders this season.
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