Bompastor criticises Chelsea intensity as perfect start ends

Sonia Bompastor questioned Chelsea's attitude and intensity after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Leicester City sparked her perfect start as the Blues stalled.

Chelsea were looking to become the first team to start a Women's Super League campaign with ten straight wins, with Bompastor already the first coach to win their first nine games in charge of the competition.

However, they were surprisingly held by Leicester, requiring an equalizer from Wieke Kaptein after Missy Goodwin had fired the Foxes into the lead in the first half.

Chelsea were utterly dominant throughout, collecting 28 shots and 1.9 expected goals (xG) to Leicester's two, worth 0.39 xG.

The Foxes had lost each of their last four WSL matches without scoring, but Saturday's result ensured they did not become just the sixth team to lose five in a row to nil in the competition, after Yeovil Town (12), Bristol City (seven), Birmingham City (six), Doncaster (five) and Reading (five).

Bompastor praised Chelsea's hosts for their resilience but said she was disappointed with her team's start to the match as only six of their shots came before the break.

“We are certainly frustrated with today's performance,” Bompastor said. 'When we talk about ambitions, we must translate words into actions.

“My players have to be ready from the start of the match. If you analyze this match, our first half was not intense enough.

“We didn't show our intentions and I think we were punished for that. The second half was better – we created more chances and possibilities – but we only scored one.

“We were not efficient enough to win this match. I'm frustrated because we have talent in the team, but we didn't show that in the first half.

“The players have to realize that this is a competitive league and if you don't show up from the start, you won't get good results.”

Chelsea's misstep opens the door for Manchester City, who now enter the winter break three points behind the top if they beat Everton on Sunday.

“It's even more frustrating for me because when the other team plays a really good game, you have to give them credit,” Bompastor continued.

“They were all together and mentally strong, but I think we have more talent than that.

“We had to be able to beat this team today and if you have ambitions to finish at the top of the table, you cannot drop points like we did in this match today.”