A 17th-minute spot kick from Guro Reiten gave Chelsea a 1-0 home win over Manchester United on Sunday that extends their winning start to the Women’s Super League season to eight games and keeps them top of the standings with 24 points.
The Blues dominated throughout against a lacklustre United but only had one goal to show for it despite a number of excellent chances. The visitors only managed a single shot on target over the 90 minutes, though Melvine Malard struck the woodwork in stoppage time.
The game was decided early in the first half when Chelsea striker Mayra Ramirez was brought down by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, and Reiten made no mistake from the spot to put her side five points clear of second-placed Manchester City.
United’s first defeat of the season leaves them in fifth place, behind Arsenal on goal difference and one point behind third-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.
