Chelsea Women's 13-match winning run is over after they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Leicester Women in their final WSL match of 2024.
The Blues had swept aside every team in all competitions under Sonia Bompastor to date – including wins against Arsenal and Manchester City – but it was the relegation-threatened Foxes who proved to be their biggest test yet.
Until the 75th minute, the Blues had mustered just one shot on target. It happened in the first half when Guro Reiten pinged a shot from distance off the crossbar, with the visitors often limited to shots from outside the penalty area through an impressive Leicester defense.
By comparison, the Foxes scored with their only shot on target when Missy Goodwin (20) put the hosts ahead towards the end of the game. The forward was left unmarked on the right as she turned in Asmita Ale's cross after coming on as a substitute for Deanne Rose in the 11th minute.
As the match entered the final quarter, Chelsea began to show signs of their usual selves as they desperately tried to maintain their perfect record.
They managed half the task when Wieke Kaptein (77) thundered home from the top of the penalty area before roaring with cheers – and a hint of frustration.
The 19-year-old, along with Sjoeke Nusken and Lucy Bronze, came close in some frantic closing moments, but the visitors were on their knees at the final whistle as they could find no other way past a determined Leicester team.
Chelsea remain top of the WSL table ahead of the winter break but could cut their lead to three points on Sunday. Leicester, meanwhile, added a crucial point as they surpassed Everton on goal difference into tenth place with six points.
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