Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s stunning strike saw Chelsea to a narrow 1-0 win against Aston Villa as Sonia Bompastor won her first WSL game in charge.
It was the first time in 12 years that Chelsea had walked out without Emma Hayes in the dugout, but the Blues were pushed the entire way by a talented Villa side, themselves with new manager Robert de Pauw.
The hosts could have gone ahead early on as Guro Reiten twice fired wide. Missy-Bo Kearns had Aston Villa’s best chance too, but could only divert over the crossbar from close range.
And with less than 10 minutes of the half to play, Chelsea took the lead. Rytting Kaneryd chopped past Paula Tomas and sent a superb curling effort past Sabrina D’Angelo.
The second half was end-to-end, as Aston Villa rightly sensed the chance to take a point away from Kingsmeadow. Hannah Hampton needed to make two world-class saves in added time too, keeping out headers from Rachel Daly and then, incredibly, her opposite number D’Angelo to keep Chelsea’s lead intact.
While the win was not quite played in the possession-based style Bompastor prefers, there will be a relief to have a opening weekend win under her belt – especially after such a finish.
Chelsea view: ‘We knew it would be a tough game’
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor was pleased to win her opening WSL game
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor to Sky Sports News: “It was really difficult. I told everyone I was expecting that because when we were watching the Aston Villa games during pre-season, they had really great games and they’re a good team.
“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 a great goal, we should maybe have scored two or three, especially in the first half. It changes the game when you’re able to do that.
“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 against 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’s always important to win. If you can do that and have good content in the game, I will be the most happy. But sometimes you have to give credit to the other team and Aston Villa were making things hard for us.”
Chelsea goalscorer Johanna Rytting Kaneyrd to Sky Sports News: “It’s an unbelievable feeling [her goal]. This year, I’ve been working on my left foot and I surprised myself to be honest. I felt like I got a good shot and I think it was pretty beautiful.
“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 have to take the positives’
Aston Villa manager Robert de Pauw to Sky Sports News: “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 end, they gave their heart. After every game, it’s important that you can say you gave it all. Mistakes are made by everybody, Chelsea also made a lot in some moments. Just focus on the positive and take the negatives with us to improve.
“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’m always a little bit more of a realist than an optimist, but you always have to look at the positives.”
Aston Villa forward Rachel Daly to Sky Sports News: “We’ve shown the league what we’re about already. We’ve had a good pre-season, there’s a lot we need to work on but it’s a good foundation.
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’s a new manager, a new style, new players have come in. We’ve got a big squad, we want to compete and we showed that.
“Sabs could have been the hero. In pre-season, she actually played outfield for some of the games. She did well.”
Bompastor style yet to come as Villa show class
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh:
Bompastor is known for her possession-based, flowing, build-up football – but that is not quite what we saw from Chelsea.
It was more gung-ho attacking football which did have a nice element of build-up play. Guro Reiten and Rytting Kaneyrd especially did well, although debutant Sandy Baltimore struggled up against the experienced Noelle Moritz.
There were glimpses in the second half that she might be getting to grips with the league, but ultimately had very little impact.
Perhaps an irk for Bompastor too will be the fact that Aston Villa had 52.5 per cent of the ball – more than the supposedly new possession-based Chelsea. Equal too were the number of shots (13) from both sides.
Of course, any style – especially one that is a departure from over a decade under one manager – takes time to implement. Bompastor will also have learnt a lot about her players and the WSL as a whole.
Because as the old cliche goes, there are no easy games in the WSL, but Chelsea did face a particularly impressive Aston Villa.
They pressed Chelsea out of possession and put them under real pressure at times. They should have had a goal for their play too, but could not find their way past Hampton.
Under De Pauw, Aston Villa showed their class and had a determination that sometimes lacked last season. They have built a talented squad full of WSL experience and will be real contenders this season.
Story of the match in stats
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