Chelsea Under Sonia Bompastor Head in Same Direction: Towards Success
Chelsea Under Sonia Bompastor Head in Same Direction: Towards Success
- Bompastor's achievement is historic, as she became the first WSL manager to win her first seven games in charge.
- Bompastor was clearly relishing the moment, acknowledging the rarity of such a victory
- With seven straight league victories, Chelsea have established themselves as the team to beat
If Chelsea’s new era under Sonia Bompastor is any indication, the club is set to continue its trajectory toward success — much like in their previous chapter.
Taking over from Emma Hayes, Bompastor could not have asked for a better start to her tenure. A 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge lifted Chelsea to the top of the Women’s Super League (WSL) table and marked their 10th consecutive win in all competitions.
Bompastor’s achievement is historic, as she became the first WSL manager to win her first seven games in charge. But, as she was quick to point out, the record is “there to be broken.”
“It’s not about me,” Bompastor said modestly after the match, though her evident joy was impossible to miss as the final whistle blew in London. “When you’re on the touchline as a manager, you experience a lot of emotions — frustration, happiness, and everything in between. But when I saw those two great goals, I really enjoyed it. I know how difficult it is to score against a top team like Manchester City.”
Bompastor was clearly relishing the moment, acknowledging the rarity of such a victory: “I just wanted to enjoy it. You don’t get these opportunities often — to win and keep a clean sheet against a team like Manchester City, one of the best in Europe. Everything was almost perfect. If you can’t enjoy it now, when will you ever?”
Chelsea’s Ruthless Display
Manchester City arrived in London unbeaten and still buoyed by their impressive win over European champions Barcelona earlier in the season. However, the absence of England forward Lauren Hemp proved costly. City’s manager, Gareth Taylor, described the match as “a game of errors,” and Chelsea capitalized on their rivals’ mistakes, showcasing their clinical edge.
The first half was a tense affair, but Chelsea seized control early in the second half. Mayra Ramirez powered past defenders Alanna Kennedy and Alex Greenwood to score the opener, and just four minutes later, Guro Reiten doubled the lead, putting City on the back foot.
Though still early in the season, the win was a major statement, especially with Chelsea holding a game in hand. Sitting two points clear at the top of the table, with crucial matches against City and Arsenal already behind them, the result sent a clear message: Chelsea’s pursuit of a sixth consecutive WSL title is firmly on track.
Bompastor Embraces the Pressure
With seven straight league victories, Chelsea have established themselves as the team to beat — a position Bompastor is more than happy to embrace. “Maybe right now the opposition sees us as the team to beat, given we’ve won seven in a row,” she said. “When I joined Chelsea, I fully aligned myself with the club’s vision and ambitions. We are the reigning champions, and we want to continue that.”
For Bompastor, the pressure is part of the job. “If everyone thinks we’re the team to beat, that’s fine with us,” she said with confidence. “As a manager, I love to embrace the pressure. That’s what the job is all about.”
With Chelsea showing no signs of slowing down, Bompastor’s leadership and the team’s momentum make them the team to watch as the WSL season progresses.
