Bompastor hails Chelsea’s ‘perfect start’ but says team ‘still have a lot of improvement’ to make

SONIA BOMPASTOR wants Chelsea to stay focused on reality in their title hunt despite their flawless record so far this term. 

And the Blues boss thinks there is more room for improvement from her undefeated side who beat Manchester United 1-0.

Reuters

Guro Reiten netted the only goal of the game with a spot-kick for Chelsea in the 17th minute[/caption]

Getty

Blues forward Sandi Baltimore was named player of the match after another a solid shift as a full-back[/caption]

PA

Chelsea’s win increased their advantage at the top of the table with Man City trailing them by six points[/caption]

Guro Reiten’s sixth top-flight goal this season kept the title chase on target for the league leaders at their Kingsmeadow fortress. 

Melvine Malard came close to snatching a dramatic late away leveller for Man United with her thunderous shot bouncing off the crossbar. 

But Chelsea did enough to protect their lead and open a five-point gap on Man City, who are second. 

And the loss for the Red Devils in the WSL leaves the Blues as the only side unbeaten so far this term after eight top-flight games.

Bompastor said: “In terms of results it’s a perfect start and a 100 per cent win record. But it’s important to stay in mind with reality. 

“This is really good in terms of confidence, but the reality is even if we beat Man City, Arsenal and Man United, we haven’t won anything yet. 

“We need to keep a good balance between having the confidence from getting these good results against the best teams in the league. 

“But we must also make sure we keep our mentality focused on working hard.

“We need to progress and the good point is we are winning games and getting points. 

“But we still have a lot of improvement, especially when we have possession of the ball, being able to hold the ball more under pressure.”

Coming into the game United’s attacking ranks had been dealt a fitness blow with Ella Toone and striker Elisabeth Terland both injured. 

Starting in their place were veteran forward Rachel Williams and Brazil winger Geyse who was the Red Devils’ most dangerous attacking threat. 

Man United began brightly with forward Geyse leading the way with some powerful runs and decent crosses into the box.

But it was the hosts who would break the deadlock after United keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce brought Mayra Ramirez down in the box. 

The game’s only goal was scored with Reiten rifling home from the penalty spot in the 17th minute despite Tullis-Joyce guessing the right way. 

United came close to equalising in the second half with Geyse forcing Hannah Hampton to parry away her shot away from the top corner

And Malard struck the woodwork in the 90th minute.

PA

Man United were limited to one shot on target with their strongest attacking threat coming from Geyse (pictured) and Melvine Malard[/caption]

But their hosts held out with loss likely to see Marc Skinner’s side now nine points behind the league leaders. 

The Red Devils boss said: “Chelsea are running away with it. 

“All we can do is get closer, try and finish as high as we possibly can, and try and finish in those Champions League places.”