Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham: Lauren James stars and Mia Fishel scores
Lauren James took centre stage on her return to the Women’s Super League as she helped fire reigning champions Chelsea to a 2-1 London derby win over Tottenham on the opening weekend of the new season.
The Lionesses star, who dazzled at the Women's World Cup for England, scored the Blues' second of the afternoon and delighted a bumper crowd at Stamford Bridge with trickery and some impressive shots on goal.
Before James' strike after half-time, which came seconds after Guro Reiten had scored a 'ghost goal' that appeared to cross the line, debutant Mia Fishel stepped up in Sam Kerr's absence to give Chelsea a 1-0 lead before the break with a super header from Niamh Charles' cross.
Tottenham impressed in the first-half with their competitive and eventually found a way through when Martha Thomas, on loan from Manchester United, got her debut goal to pull one back with 15 minutes left to create a nervy ending.
But Spurs will look to Thomas' wasteful first-half finishing - plus a brilliant late save from Chelsea goalkeeper Zecira Musovic to deny substitute Jessica Naz - as to why they couldn't claim a result.
Chelsea came into the game having not won their opening match of the season in each of the last four campaigns - and they were given a pre-match warning when fellow title rivals Arsenal were beaten by Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
And Emma Hayes' side were given a scare of their own almost immediately as Spurs striker Thomas broke clear of the Chelsea defence, only to hit straight at Musovic.
Meanwhile, the Blues' opening chances mainly came from set pieces as Jess Carter saw a header cleared off the line by Grace Clinton, while summer signing Sjoeke Nusken saw another chance saved by Becky Spencer.
James then came close to
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