Emma Hayes’ side needed to put their Double-winning 2022/23 campaign behind them last weekend, with the start of a new season bringing fresh challenges.

First up was the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge and we got our title defence off to a winning start.

A debut goal from summer signing Mia Fishel just shy of the half-hour mark preceded Lauren James’ volley shortly after the interval. Martha Thomas pulled a goal back 15 minutes from time, but we stood firm to secure three points with a 2-1 win as the WSL made its eagerly-awaited return.

A sold-out away section will accompany the Blues on our first trip of the season, where we will take on a City side that began their campaign with a 2-0 victory against West Ham United in east London.

When and where?

We will be taking on Manchester City at the Joie Stadium in our first away league fixture of the WSL season this Sunday 8 October, with kick-off scheduled for 12.30pm (UK time).

How to follow

As always, you can follow the game via Chelsea Women’s social media channels. There will be live commentary on our Twitter page and regular updates on Facebook and Instagram. Simply search ‘ChelseaFCW’ on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

For UK-based supporters who cannot attend the match, this has been selected for live television broadcast on BBC Two.

The form

We came through an opening-day London derby against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge thanks to clinical finishes from Fishel and James, both of which were assisted by Niamh Charles, who produced an impressive all-round display from left-back.

We have won our last eight games in the Women’s Super League, the joint-longest ongoing run along with Manchester United. The game prior to this winning run was an away defeat at Sunday’s opponents.

Manchester City were in the capital to kick off their campaign against West Ham United last weekend. Lauren Hemp and Jill Roord were on the scoresheet before they were reduced to 10 players when Leila Ouahabi was dismissed with 20 minutes to play.

Hemp has been directly involved in six goals in her last four home games against Chelsea in the WSL, scoring and assisting in the same game on three occasions.

Manchester City Women vs Chelsea Women recent head-to-head record

When the teams faced each other last term, each side won their respective home fixture by two goals to nil.

Our victory came at the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign with Fran Kirby and Maren Mjelde on the scoresheet at Kingsmeadow to secure the Blues’ first win of the season.

In the reverse fixture at the end of March, Filippa Angeldahl and Hemp were on target for the hosts, who condemned us to defeat that day.

Next up for the Blues

Following the trip to Manchester, we are back in action at Kingsmeadow with an all-London affair as we take on West Ham United on the evening of Saturday 14 October.

Kick-off is at 5.30pm (UK time) and for supporters who are unable to attend, this match has been selected for live television broadcast on Sky Sports.