Chelsea & Man City set for ‘box office’ WSL showdown

Manchester City were the only team Chelsea failed to beat last season on the way to their fifth WSL title in a row.

Their first encounter last season was a feisty 1-1 draw, with Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp both sent off for City, who got their revenge in the reverse fixture with a 1-0 win at Kingsmeadow to end Chelsea’s 22-game unbeaten home run.

“Last season in the two head-to-head games, Manchester City were significantly the better team,” the Guardian’s Tom Garry told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Clearly by the end of the season, those fine margins make a massive difference.

“I think City will go into this game with quite a lot of confidence. They know from last year they can be the better side.”

City let a six-point lead slip towards the end of the season as Emma Hayes’ side won the title on goal difference.

But City have a good record against Chelsea, beating them seven times in the WSL. Only Arsenal, with 10 WSL victories over the Blues, have more.

“Everyone wants to see who can knock Chelsea off their pedestal,” former Manchester City defender Jen Beattie added. “The team in everyone’s head when it comes to that answer is Man City.

“It’s definitely the top-of-the-table clash that everyone wants.”