Chelsea captain Millie Bright has started all 18 games in the Women's Super League this season, and has been on the pitch for a whopping 1576 minutes in league action. Only goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – with 1620 minutes under her belt – has featured more.

It's no surprise that Lucy Bronze sits third on that list, having played 1274 domestic minutes this season. Their consistency and impact has not gone unnoticed by the boss.

'I think, as you just mentioned, they are our leaders,' Bompastor said. 'I have a few in the team, but they are maybe the biggest ones, I think they have a lot of experience.

'They just showed through this block how fit they are. To be able to perform, not only playing the games, but performing in every game, I think it's important to have these type of players.

'As you know, we have some injuries in that backline. This is also why they were playing more minutes. Probably if I had Kadeisha Buchanan or Naomi Girma they would've played a little bit less.

'But they were able to perform and to help the team. Their leadership is really important. They are really important players for us.'

Chelsea managed to hold the scoreline at 2-1 for almost all of the second half, but the stoppage-time header from West Ham's Shekiera Martinez not only changed the result, but also the mood after the final whistle.

Bompastor went out onto the pitch at full time and was in discussion with defenders Millie Bright and Nathalie Bjorn for some time afterwards.

'I won't tell you all the details, but it was important for me just have a chat with them, especially because the players are leaving for the international break,' the coach continued. 'So we reflected a little bit on the game and I just wanted to stay positive with them.

'I told my players at the end, 'we need to stay together.'

'It was a disappointing result. But again, the bigger picture is positive. It's always difficult because the players are going to leave and I will not see them for the next 10 days. But it's important for me to talk to them, for them to know what I think about the situation.'

One of those positives to take away from the West Ham game was Mia Fishel playing the final 23 minutes, continuing her recovery from a 13-month layoff after tearing her ACL.

The USA international arrived back in the summer of 2023, but has so far only made only four starts in the Women's Super League for Chelsea.

'I think Mia is able to play as a right winger, but also up front as a forward,' Bompastor said. 'I think in the last game when I had to make a decision, I saw her coming on more as a right winger.

'I think she has all the quality to perform that position. She's quick, she's confident one-on-one, she has a lot of quality in front of goal and she can score goals.

I think it was important for her to play that position today, and I wanted her to come a little bit inside to be close to Catarina Macario. Those were my thoughts coming into this game.'