In a seismic shock for the Women's Super League, Everton brought Chelsea's historic 33-game unbeaten run to a dramatic halt with a 2-1 victory at Walton Hall Park on Sunday.
A Historic Streak Shattered on Merseyside
The result sent shockwaves through the WSL, as Chelsea's remarkable streak, which had stood since May 2023, was finally broken. The Blues, under manager Emma Hayes, had not tasted defeat in the league for over two and a half years, a period encompassing their last three title-winning campaigns.
Everton, however, were undaunted by the champions' pedigree. They took a commanding lead with two first-half goals. Norwegian international Elise Stenevik opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse. The advantage was doubled just before the interval by Kathrine Kuhl in the 41st minute, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb.
Chelsea's Fightback Falls Short
Chelsea emerged for the second half with renewed intent and managed to pull a goal back through Aggie Beever-Jones in the 55th minute. The England forward's strike set up a tense finale, with the title-holders pushing relentlessly for an equaliser.
Despite sustained pressure and a flurry of chances, Everton's defence, marshalled superbly, held firm. The Toffees weathered the storm to secure a famous three points, a result that significantly dents Chelsea's title defence while providing a massive boost for Brian Sorensen's side.
Ramifications Across the WSL Table
The fallout from this result is substantial. Chelsea's lead at the top of the table has been cut to just three points, with Manchester City now breathing down their necks. For Everton, this landmark win propels them into the top half of the standings, demonstrating their capability to compete with the very best.
In the day's other fixtures, the chasing pack took full advantage of Chelsea's stumble. Manchester City closed the gap with a 3-0 win over Brighton, a victory that keeps the title race fiercely alive. Meanwhile, Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Liverpool to maintain their own challenge.
The weekend's action has unequivocally reignited the championship battle, proving that no streak, no matter how formidable, is invincible in the competitive landscape of the Women's Super League.
