Chelsea surrender top spot after home draw with Everton

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea surrendered top spot in the Women's Super League after Lucy Bronze's own goal meant they drew 1-1 with Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Sandy Baltimore gave Chelsea a deserved lead, but Everton found an unlikely equaliser as Bronze inadvertently turned the ball into her own net on her 150th WSL appearance.

Chelsea are now second in the top flight, two points behind Manchester City who thrashed West Ham on Saturday.

Sonia Bompastor's side dominated the early exchanges and eventually found a breakthrough from a well-worked corner routine, with a cushioned header across goal from Bronze allowing Baltimore to nod home.

Everton had been forced to withstand sustained pressure but drew level against the run of play when Yuka Momiki delivered a dangerous cross which struck the back of Bronze's heel and flew past goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

Bronze almost made amends before the break when she rose to meet another delivery when a corner was recycled, but her header struck the crossbar.

Chelsea continued to pose a threat in attack but found Everton tricky to break down and were unable to create the clear-cut chances needed to get back in front.

The result leaves Chelsea trailing Manchester City in the WSL title race, who they host on Saturday, 14 November (13:30 GMT). Before that, they travel to BK Hacken in the Champions League on Tuesday (17:45 GMT).

Everton face Durham in the Players' Cup on Wednesday (19:00 BST), before they visit Tottenham in the league on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Analysis: Chelsea frustrated by resilient Everton

Chelsea enjoyed plenty of possession and created opportunities but were left frustrated by an Everton side who made life difficult for the hosts.

While Chelsea had ample efforts, they did not manage to carve out enough truly threatening moves in the fact of the Toffees' resilient backline.

Everton hassled them throughout, keeping resolute in their positions while also pressing to try to disrupt Chelsea's possession.

The positives for Chelsea came when they broke quickly, with Ellie Carpenter in particular being influential in the way she carried the ball up the flanks and began moves.

But without the creative presence of the injured Lauren James Chelsea too often looked one-dimensional in their attacking play and the visitors worked out how to stymie them.

Everton rarely looked like finding a way to win - only managing to chalk up three efforts and failing to hit the target.

Issues in the final third have been the main talking point of their Toffees' campaign so far and that looks like it will continue.

Bronze's own goal was the third to benefit Everton this season - meaning "Own Goal" is now their top scorer.

Player of the match

C. Brosnan
7.33
26 K. Buchanan
6.16
32 L. Potter
6.16
8 E. Cuthbert
6.10
2 E. Carpenter
6.00
11 S. Baltimore
5.90
24 H. Hampton
5.89
6 S. Nüsken
5.70
15 K. McCabe
5.59
9 M. Malard
5.55
21 K. Walsh
5.53
12 A. Thompson
5.45
29 M. Matsukubo
5.43
33 A. Beever-Jones
5.39
16 G. Dragoni
5.33
19 W. Kaptein
5.30
22 L. Bronze
5.19
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