Chelsea remained on the coattails of Barclays Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City over the weekend. The Blues briefly went top as they trounced London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 6-2 at Stamford Bridge in Sunday’s lunchtime clash.
Lauren James fired Chelsea ahead midway through the first half. Matilda Vinberg equalised shortly before the break as the rivals went in at half time level. However, Chelsea made home advantage in the second half as Ellie Carpenter, twice, Lauren James, again, Sjoeke Nusken and Maika Hamano all struck for the hosts. Signe Gaupset bagged a late consolation for Martin Ho’s side.
The fixture saw head coach Sonia Bompastor tinker with her system once more as she flexed her tactical muscles to set her side up to ease past Spurs. Indeed, Bompastor utilised a 4-1-2-1-2 setup for the capital clash, with a diamond midfield allowing one full-back in particular the chance to push on.
A lopsided defence suits Carpenter
This setup really benefitted Carpenter, who again put on another performance that justified her tag as one of the game’s best right-backs. As Wieke Kaptein tucked inside to give Chelsea midfield superiority, Carpenter didn’t need a second invitation to bombard up the right flank.
And Bompastor maximised Carpenter’s attacking capability to great effect on Sunday. 44% of Chelsea’s attacks against Spurs came down the right flank. By comparison, just 31% were from the left. Whereas Katie McCabe inverted into midfield, Carpenter was essentially used as an auxiliary right winger.
The Australian took full advantage of the freedom afforded to her. Not only did she score her second and third goals of the BWSL season, hitting the back of the net with both efforts, she also created two goalscoring chances and completed one dribble in the resounding home triumph.
Sunday’s showing, though, was par for course for Carpenter and Chelsea. Bompastor is willing to unleash the Australia star to wreak havoc in the final third. It shouldn’t come as a shock that Chelsea are the team that attacks down the right flank the most in the BWSL this season (48%). By contrast, 28% of their attacks are down the left, the joint-lowest such proportion.
Decent attacking returns
It’s a running theme for Chelsea this season. The use of a lopsided defence provides Carpenter the opportunity to overlap down the right side, safe in the knowledge that the defence will shift across in order to provide cover for the 26-year-old.
With that, Carpenter is able to fully utilise the creative qualities at her disposal. While she does have just one assist to her name, it’s not for want of trying. 15 chances created is more than any other defender and the fifth most overall. Only Lauren Hemp (8) has created more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities than the Chelsea right-back (7) in the division. 16 shots is also more than any other defender, and the 12th most overall.
Bompastor trusts her right-back to provide the attacking impetus down that side, and she’s not being let down. What’s important, too, is that Carpenter has the stamina and recovery pace to ensure teams don’t capitalise upon the space she vacates when she breaks forward.
Nine tackles isn’t the highest return, yet it’s more that she can quickly return to her right-back role in order for Chelsea to maintain their defensive shape. It’s no wonder they have only conceded three goals in the 2026/27 BWSL campaign, the lowest return in the division so far.
Must-have Fantasy pick
Carpenter’s performances on the whole have no only contributed towards Chelsea’s fine start to the season, but also her notable Fantasy points haul so far. The Matildas sensation has collected more Fantasy points (63) than any other player. Given she would have earned 119 last season, Carpenter’s well on her way to trumping that haul.
Available at just £7m, she’s essentially a full-back and a winger rolled into one. What’s not to love? Fantasy players have already jumped on the Carpenter bandwagon, with a 39% selection rate the sixth highest in the league.
Even so, that shouldn’t put players off. Carpenter shows no signs of slowing. Bompastor has placed huge pressure on the defender to carry out the right-flank attacking duties, and she’s duly repaying the faith shown in her.
The Blues have a favourable run of games on the horizon, too, as they gear up to face Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic and Everton prior to the decisive clash with defending champions Manchester City next month. Even so, it’s not too late to bring Carpenter into your Fantasy team.
She’s key to the way Chelsea play under Bompastor, increasing the likelihood of crucial attacking returns, which in itself has helped Carpenter to an additional six bonus points. Invest now, or live to regret the decision to overlook the Blues sensation.
