Key events
Emma Hayes had this powerful point to make on her return to the dugout.
It’s up to our government and the decisions they make to invest in the healthcare industry,” the manager said in her first press conference since surgery. “[They need to make sure that] every medical professional is up to speed with women’s health and women’s gynaecology and if not, they need to have more gynaecologists available.
I think it’s unacceptable to wait for prolonged periods to see a gynaecologist in this country on the NHS. And I have to say this: if these conditions were suffered by a man, there would be zero chance you would be waiting for a prolonged period.
This is the standard these two are aspiring to.
In front of the second-largest WSL crowd of 40,064, after the 47,367 that attended Arsenal’s defeat of Tottenham at the Emirates, United took the lead through Ella Toone late in the first half before Arsenal struck back in the second. Frida Maanum drew Arsenal level before Laura Wienroither gave them the lead.
United flipped the script though, with Katie Zelem delivering twice from set pieces, first for Millie Turner, then Alessia Russo to send the hefty away contingent wild.
Here are the teams
Chelsea: Berger, Perisset, Bright, Kadeisha Buchanan, Eriksson, Cuthbert, Ingle, Fleming, James, Kerr, Reiten. Subs: Musovic, Nouwen, Carter, England, Svitkova, Kirby, Johanna Kaneryd, Charles, Abdullina.
Tottenham: Korpela, Turner, Bartrip, Zadorsky, Ale, James, Summanen, Neville, Ildhusoy, Naz, Spence. Subs: Harrop, Cho, Ubogagu, Spencer, Ayane, Pearse.
Preamble
Stamford Bridge is a stage too rarely trod by Chelsea’s usually all-conquering women’s team. And the home team could really do with a win, to put pressure on Arsenal, who surrendered their 100 percent record on Saturday, and Manchester United, who took it off them. After losing their first game of the season at Liverpool, Emma Hayes’ team have recovered their step somewhat, and after beating United two weeks ago, will fancy their chances. Hayes herself is returning to the dugout after having a hysterectomy, though says he is unlikely to be “back to normal’” until the new year. Her team, and backroom staff, Paul Green and Denise Reddy, have done well without her but it will be a relief to have the champion coach back in harness. Tottenham’s previous match with Manchester City was postponed, though their last match, on 30 October, saw them win 8-0 at Brighton. Spurs are in mid-table but having played two games fewer than most, have chance to climb higher should they win this London derby.
