Chelsea Women host Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s Super League at Stamford Bridge this Sunday, prompting us to look back at previous occasions when the women’s team have graced the turf of SW6.
It will be a packed crowd when the Blues take on Spurs in an eagerly awaited London derby, as we look to extend our winning run in the league to seven consecutive matches, and nine games in all competitions.
The WSL encounter will also provide an opportunity to recognise two significant anniversaries. This year marks manager Emma Hayes’ 10th year in charge of the Blues, while the women’s set-up celebrates 30 years since it was established in its modern form.
During Hayes’ decade of service, we have played competitive fixtures at the Bridge in both domestic and European competition. These matches were evidence of significant growth in the women’s game and laid down markers for the upward trajectory it has taken since.
UEFA Women’s Champions League vs Wolfsburg (2016)
Our first ever competitive game at Stamford Bridge took place against Wolfsburg back in 2016. Qualification for the Champions League meant we had earned our first taste of European football and following a win over Glasgow City in the Round of 32, there followed a night under the lights in SW6.
In what was the first leg, our German opposition came out on top with a 3-0 victory on the night, with just under 4,000 spectators in attendance.
It was a learning experience for the Blues who were finding our feet on the European stage while Wolfsburg, two-time champions and finalists during the previous year, had a wealth of experience under their belts which made all the difference.
Women’s Super League vs Tottenham Hotspur (2019/20)
Fast forward three years and we returned to play our second competitive fixture at the Bridge, kicking off the 2019/20 Women’s Super League season against Tottenham Hotspur in a London derby which made for a great occasion.
Bethany England netted a superb strike just four minutes into the match which proved to be the winning goal, securing a 1-0 victory which kick started our league campaign in style. We were crowned champions on a points-per-game basis that season, which was truncated amid the Covid pandemic.
The match against Spurs was another important landmark in the history of our women’s team, attracting 25,000 fans to the Bridge, a figure which further evidenced the continual growth of the women’s game.
1990s friendlies
Prior to the two competitive games, Chelsea Ladies (as they were known then) took part in a pair of what can be described as exhibition games at the Bridge, which came in quick succession in the mid-1990s.
The first of those was in May 1995 when as part of a charity day at the stadium, the Blues took on Arsenal, women’s league and cup double winners that season.
Manchester United were the visitors to the Bridge for the second game, which was part of a Eurofest event organised by then chairman Ken Bates to coincide with Euro ’96, hosted in England. The Chelsea Ladies match was on the eve of the final. A side managed by Tony Farmer included a very young Casey Stoney, before she went on to become an England star.
What’s next?
It will be a case of déjà vu as three years on, we host Tottenham at the Bridge in the Women’s Super League once again this Sunday. It promises to be a fantastic occasion as we aim to continue our excellent winning run in domestic and European competition.
The team will be looking to put on a show in a mouth-watering London derby as we celebrate two milestones that are firmly etched into the club's history books.
Click for hospitality tickets for Chelsea Women vs Tottenham Women
It has been confirm that Emma Hayes’ side will return to the Bridge once more before the year is out.
Our final group stage match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain will be held at Stamford Bridge, the last competitive game before the festive break.
The match will take place on Thursday 22 December, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm (UK time) and this clash is a must-have addition to your Christmas calendar.