Postpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 1 October 2023
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Chance for Chelsea! Reiten gets in behind James and crosses but nobody is there.
Reigning champions Chelsea win season opener against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge
Blues debutant Fishel headed in and James added second; Thomas pulled goal back after Musovic save
Arsenal suffer shock defeat against Liverpool in front of record WSL crowd
Wins for title challengers Man Utd and Man City
Brighton hold on to beat Everton and Leicester see off newly-promoted Bristol City
Harry De Cosemo
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Chance for Chelsea! Reiten gets in behind James and crosses but nobody is there.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Drew Spence just went off to receive treatment but we are playing again.
Still 0-0 it may be, but this is a good game.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Guro Reiten's floated corner is met by Sjoeke Nusken, but Becky Spencer saves with ease.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Helen Ward
Former Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
Things are a little lackadaisical from Chelsea at the moment. It is not urgent enough.
They are being too slow on the ball and allowing Tottenham to creep up and put them under pressure.
That is credit to how Spurs are set up too, they aren't just going to sit back and wait for Chelsea to attack them, they want to get forward themselves.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
There's so much space for Tottenham when they counter. Drew Spence turns and feeds Celin Bizet on the right, who looks for Thomas immediately.
Chelsea need to be wary of that link-up.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Helen Ward
Former Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
I think the new Spurs manager, Robert Vilahamn will be please with how things have gone so far.
There is no more daunting task than going away to Chelsea on the opening day of the season.
They just need to keep things ticking over and get forward as and when they can.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Angharad James is down, both teams are just regrouping. Frantic start here.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Martha Thomas is doing an excellent job up front for Spurs and they are beginning to find her.
They sprung forward after Jess Carter lost the ball but couldn't quite get the shot away in time.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Helen Ward
Former Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
That is exactly what Martha Thomas can do.
She took the touch which got her beyond Millie Bright and perhaps a little far out to take on the shot.
For a team missing Bethany England, Spurs will need to keep providing that assistance for Thomas.
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Are you kidding about the Lauren James boot to the face being accidental?!?!?!
Zedd
Lucky for Lauren James there’s no var else she’d be in trouble, did she not learn anything at the World Cup?
Richard
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Lauren James finds space again just outside the area and hits one just over.
Spurs have got to close her down.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
First chance for Spurs! Martha Thomas gets in behind Millie Bright but her shot is saved by Zecira Musovic.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Helen Ward
Former Chelsea and Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
It is a difficult one when there is so many players away at the World Cup and not that many left here to do a full pre-season. The ones here would have got some good rest and a full preparation period.
For those that were away it is hard to go from the high of the World Cup to back down to earth of the day to day at club, especially with the emotions involved at whatever stage they went to with their countries.
I'm sure the players are ready to go. They have put in the work in the weeks since they have returned and they will be prepared for today.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Brilliant clearance off the line from the resulting corner by Molly Batrip! Jess Carter had flicked towards goal. Chelsea have made a good start here.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Becky Spencer gets down well to save from Lauren James, who had far too much space outside the area to fire at goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Olga Ahtinen had to go off to receive treatment after a clash with Lauren James.
It looked accidental. We are back underway again.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
The fans applaud the taking of the knee and Tottenham kick us off.
Chelsea v Tottenham (17:30 BST)
The minute's silence for Maddy Cusack has been observed impeccably.
Chelsea v Tottenham (17:30 BST)
Helen Ward
Former Chelsea and Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
You've got the big four who will be looking to compete but Tottenham have also invested, they've got a new manager.
So many clubs are willing to invest in their women's team and we've seen some massive signings in the WSL so I'm really excited.
Chelsea v Tottenham (17:30 BST)
Helen Ward
Former Chelsea and Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
I think the fact Chelsea have won the last four WSL titles, they are the most successful, with a manager like Emma Hayes who will never settle for what she's got, it looks like a really exciting season for them again.