Chelsea's recent form has been far from convincing. But they are still getting results: a narrow 1-0 win over Leicester, back-to-back 1-1 draws with Manchester United and Twente, and now another unremarkable 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Although unbeaten in the Women's Super League (WSL) under Sonia Bopastor and dominant in London derbies (with 33 wins in their last 39 matches), Chelsea's recent performances have lacked fluidity, edge and cohesion in the final third.
Against Spurs, it took 23 shots to finally break the deadlock, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from midfielder Keira Walsh, who fired low into the net from 25 yards. But only four of his 27 total attempts were on target, suggesting a familiar problem of high volume and low efficiency.
Too often, Chelsea wasted clear opportunities and with each miss, frustration grew, fueling a cycle that only intensified as the match progressed. They also continue to struggle from set pieces and won 16 corners against Spurs (13 in the first half) without generating a significant threat from one.
Statistically, Chelsea generally dominate the territory. On Sunday, they had 66% possession and their 67 touches in the Tottenham box marked a season high, complemented by 152 successful passes into the final third. However, the conversion rate simply does not reflect the control they are looking for.
Their attacking frustrations have been compounded by the team's constant rotation, as the starting eleven has changed in every game so far and they lack a focal point in attack. Forward Sam Kerr has returned to the team but has yet to start a game after 22 months out with a torn ACL, while Mayra Ramírez remains out through injury until the new year. As a result, and despite Aggie Beever-Jones contributing four goals in six appearances, Chelsea often look forceful in central areas.
However, they are doing what champions do and continue to find ways to win. Last season, 10 of their 19 wins came by single-goal margins en route to a WSL record points total. So does it matter if they're not clinical, as long as they keep winning? Sooner or later, an opponent will get it right, but for now he will hold on.
As for Spurs, despite coming out of the match without a point, they demonstrated clear tactical and structural improvements under new boss Martin Ho, particularly in their defensive organisation.
With four wins in six, one less than all of last season, the club is on an upward trajectory and, having finished its last campaign in 11th place, is basing its success on a more resilient defence. Spurs had the second-worst defensive record last season (conceding 44) but now, six games later, they sit fourth in the table on neutral goal difference, firmly in the top half.
Against Chelsea, Spurs were determined at the back, recording 30 tackles and 44 clearances, figures that reflect their commitment to maintaining a compact structure and making effective last-minute interventions. Chelsea created four great chances in total, but Spurs' discipline and form limited their quality, preventing those chances from being converted into goals.
Dutch goalkeeper Lize Kop was instrumental, making several quality saves that kept the scoreline respectable. Their performance, along with an impressive collective defensive effort, reflects a team heading in the right direction.
However, Tottenham's improvements are largely limited to their defensive zone. They struggled to make an impact at the other end and, with just two shots on goal and one big chance created, their presence in the final third was minimal. Chelsea, despite being far from their best, were rarely tested and Spurs' attacks lacked the sharpness to trouble goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
While his passing accuracy has improved, many of his passes were lateral or backwards, a sign of caution in his build-up play. This limited their ability to generate momentum or apply sustained pressure. There were flashes of intent in the pressing sequences, but without much progression or direct attacking play, most moves failed before becoming dangerous.
Ultimately, the gap between the two sides lies less in structure and more in execution. Chelsea, even when they have not been disappointing, have mastered the art of achieving results and capitalizing on big moments. The Spurs, on the other hand, are still learning how to turn the organization into a final product.
Restricting Chelsea to minimal chances is a significant feat for a team still adapting to Ho and his tactics, but had their attacking play matched their defensive effort, they could have picked up a point or more. Adding the mentality, ruthlessness and end product that define title contenders is the next step in the Spurs' evolution.
