Chelsea beat Man City to go top after Bompastor’s bold changes

Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 to move above them to the top of the Women’s Super League, after manager Sonia Bompastor made two early substitutions that reshaped the match.

Defender Kadeisha Buchanan was taken off after 12 minutes and replaced by Veerle Buurman, who was named player of the match. Bompastor said Buchanan had taken a knock to the head in training the previous day but had been assessed as fine. She said she decided to make the change because Buchanan did not seem herself on the pitch.

Buurman helped contain City striker Khadija Shaw, who had threatened in the opening stages but did not manage a shot on target. Chelsea went into half-time ahead through Sandy Baltimore’s goal.

Striker Melvine Malard was then injured, prompting another change. Bompastor brought Baltimore off at half-time for Maika Hamano, saying Chelsea had only one substitution window left and she did not expect Baltimore to have the legs to play much beyond an hour.

Hamano later played Alyssa Thompson through on goal. City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita brought Thompson down and was sent off, denting the visitors’ hopes of a comeback.

Bompastor said the decisions had paid off, while acknowledging the risk. City manager Andree Jeglertz said he did not think the first substitution had changed the game. Chelsea’s win leaves them a point ahead of City at the summit.